General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Gay people can have multipartner relationships too. [View all]mythology
(9,527 posts)I'm guessing that same sex polygamous relationships are even more rare. The law is always an imprecise tool. There are almost always corner cases where somebody is has a negative result from a law.
For example I'm a bigger than average sized guy, I can drink a fair amount and still be able to walk in a straight line, not slur my words etc. Put me next to the average sized woman and I can probably drink more than she can while remaining functional. But I'm still getting a DUI at .08 because on average a person will lose X amount of motor control at that level. I may or may not based on my individual size, alcohol tolerance and other factors. But going to a judge and explaining that I was really fairly sober and if I didn't get into an accident, then it should be fine, isn't going to get me off scot free. Is that fair? No, but we as a society have held that is where we currently think the line is best drawn for the overall population.
On average, polygamy has a pretty clear negative impact on the women and children involved as well as society as a whole given the concurrent rise in unmarried men. Same sex marriage between two people doesn't have those problems. Additionally there are innumerable legal issues with trying to define a multiparty marriage as well as divorce, child custody/support, legal right to serve as automatic health proxy (which spouse do you give that to if you have 2 or more?), etc.