Learn from the mistakes of others

having read a *little* more about this, it seems that what you are proposing is pretty much what the law professors in canada have in mind.

whilst i'm interested, i'm more interested in discussing the topics and issues than delving into the canadian situation myself. too many other things ahead in the "to do" list *sigh* :)

frankly, there is no prohibition on polygamous de facto marriages that i can think of, it is only the de jure that specifies one of each only.

the prohibition is as much, or more, about economic matters than religious ones. the restriction coincides with christian moral doctrine regarding monogamy. the original progenitor of legalised marriage was property - specifically inheritance of feudal tenures. pretty much still is ;)

the recognition and legitimisation of polygamous relationships may or may not be as contentiousas single-gender marriage. personally, i prefer recognition and legitimisation - that path offers the best hope for all concerned. not only for protection, but also because once things can be done openly, there is less room for shit to be hidden out of fear, or to use fear of exposure to enforce compliance.

permitting situations of unecessary fear is worse than transgressing someone's notion of moral outrage.