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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]BTW, there is talk of challenging (among other things) the constitutionality of a man (or woman) not being able to SAY that they have more than one spouse.
It gets into freedom of speech issues. 
I hope thatthe polygamists can present their arguments in a clear and calm way to get legislation changed. 
Illegal plural marriage is truly a violation of their rights.[/quote]

Saying you have more than one spouse doesn't make you a bigamist. You have to actually get married.

Here is relevant section of the DC Code (http://dccode.org/simple/sections/22-501.html)
"Whoever, having a spouse or domestic partner living, marries or [b]enters a domestic partnership with another[/b] shall be deemed guilty of bigamy."

Nothing in there about calling someone your spouse.[/quote]

That is a bit much. So essentially they can throw you in the slammer for this?[/quote]

"Domestic partnership" is a term of art in DC law. It [b]doesn't mean just shacking up[/b]. It means going down to the courthouse and registering. It's what gays had to do before marriage equality to get spousal benefits.

It should be interesting to see what becomes of domestic partnership now that gay marriage is legal.[/quote]

I bet it does, would like to see the language. [/quote]

You can't possibly be that curious if you didn't click on the link I provided, but here goes. If you read the rest of the DC Code section at the link I provided, it says: " "Domestic partnership" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 32?701(4)" and provides a link to that section. That section says:

"Domestic partner" means a person with whom an individual maintains a committed relationship as defined in paragraph (1) of this section and who has registered under § 32?702(a). Each partner shall:
(A) Be at least 18 years old and competent to contract;
(B) Be the sole domestic partner of the other person; and
(C) Not be married.
(4) "Domestic partnership" means the relationship between 2 persons who become domestic partners by registering in accordance with § 32?702.

I guess your next question will be what is 32-702, so here goes:

To establish the existence of a domestic partnership and to qualify for benefits under §§ 32?704, 32?705, and 32?706, persons shall register as domestic partners by executing a declaration of domestic partnership to be filed with the Mayor. For the purposes of this section, the declaration shall be signed by the domestic partners and shall affirm under penalty of perjury that each domestic partner:
(1) Is at least 18 years old and competent to contract;
(2) Is the sole domestic partner of the other person; and
(3) Is not married.

[/quote]

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