Oregon

Discussion

Portland, OR: Anti-Discrimination Protections to Cover Family and Relationship Structure

As of April 10, 2026, Portland’s civil rights ordinance is expanded to include protections based on “family or relationship structure,” expressly covering polyamorous and other consensual, non-monogamous households. The ordinance, adopted unanimously by the Portland City Council, allows individuals to bring private lawsuits alleging discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Portland’s definition of “family or relationship structure” is significantly broader than Oregon’s existing state-level “familial status” definition, which is limited to individuals having or seeking custody of minor children. The Portland ordinance covers any actual or perceived involvement in intimate personal relationships, including multi-partner or multi-parent families, step-families, multi-generational households, consensually non-monogamous relationships, and consensual sexual and/or intimate relationships, including asexual and aromantic relationships. Portland employers should review their employment policies, benefits administration, hiring practices, and training materials for compliance with the expanded protections.

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