What's Polygamy?

We define polygamy as a family of one husband, two or more wives, and their children.  There are many related terms, such as plural marriage and polygyny, which you can find in our glossary. 

IS POLYGAMY legal?

It's illegal to have two legal wives in the United States, and has been since president Grant signed a law under pressure to limit the growth of the Mormon church.  However, it's perfectly legal to have a non-legal mistress/paramour/consort in most states. 

Cohabitation alone does not constitute polygamy, and the burden is on the state to show that the cohabitants are living as husband and wives.  Most states, other than Utah, are reluctant to pursue this, as long as only one husband and wife are legally married.

IS POLYGAMY becoming more popular?

Polygamy is emerging from the closet.  The state of Utah has the most polygamous families, but prosecutes them as third-degree felons.  Some of the polygamous families in Utah have begun migrating to friendlier states, like Nevada and Texas, where they can live more openly.

Polygamy has recently gained the attention of the mass media.  From the reality show "Girls Next Door", which follows the lives of Hugh Hefner's three live-in girlfriends, to HBO's "Big Love", the fictional misadventures of a polygamous family in Utah, more and more people are becoming aware of polygamy.  There are special news reports, Star Trek episodes, and debates about gay marriage, all which ask, "After traditional marriage, what next?"

According to a joint report issued by the Utah and Arizona Attorney General's Offices, July 2005, "approximately 20,000 to 40,000 or more people currently practice polygamy in the United States." -- Big Love 

How do I find out more about polygamy?

When we became husband and wives, information on polygamy was surprisingly hard to come by.  There weren't many role models, and we were left pretty much in the dark.  Now there are books, TV shows, and all sorts of information.  There are pro and con web sites for Christians, Jews, and Mormons, but there's still not a lot for anyone who wants to consider polygamy as an alternative to traditional marriage.

We've collected the information that we've found helpful in our resources and links.  We hope to share much of what we've learned for the benefit of the curious and the entertainment of the experienced.

Who are we?

Martin, Karen, and Lisa have been happily cohabitating as husband and wives for the last three years in Seattle, Washington [disclaimer: to the extant it is legal to do so].  Our marriage is one of deepening awareness and love, and is not based on religion or culture.

We're modern, relatively upscale, and moderately independent.  We live pretty normal lives in a pretty normal neighborhood, and we're looking for others who live the way we do.  In the meantime, we follow the news, maintain this web site, and keep a blog of our adventures at Polygamy Now. 

See our profile if you want to know more.