The Relationship Bill of Rights
- Meisha Thrasher
- Jun 1, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 17
According to Legal Momentum: The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, the rights we hold as humans belongs to us regardless of what a relationship partner feels or believes. We appreciate the graphic nature of this authors Relationship Bill of Rights they provide and often to refer to it in CARE Partnerships at growURpotential.org.
The book More Than Two, by Eve Rickert & Franklin Veaux, remains a widely respected guide in consensual non‑monogamy (CNM) and ethical non‑monogamy (ENM). This book includes a thoughtful approach to The Relationship Bill of Rights that extends into poly relationships.
We suggest that these points of view easily translate into justice organizing, healing spaces, and collective bargaining. We have used these references to shape this list.
I have the right, without shame, blame or guilt in all my relationships:
to be free from coercion, violence, fits of anger, and intimidation
to consent by choice to participate or withdraw involvement in intimacy
to revoke consent to any form of intimacy at any time
to be given the truth and choice to participate or withdraw my involvement
to say no to requests for no other reason than my privilege of choice
to express differing points of view within respectful debate
to feel and embrace as valid all my emotions
to communicate thoughtfully my emotions and needs
to set boundaries concerning my privacy expectations
to set clear limits on the obligations I will hold
to seek balance and equity that aligns to my highest self
to request that my partner(s) will seek solutions with me when issues arise
to grow and change within a supportive system of care
to make mistakes
to end a relationship
to decide who I form partnerships with
Knowing the rules is often not enough to navigate complicated relationship dynamics, issues, and obstacles to equitable co-creation. If you feel stuck ask for support at info@growURpotential.org.
