First polygamous civil union registered in the Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands, Oct 2, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The first civil union of three partners was legally registered in the Netherlands Sept. 23, making polygamy a practical reality in the European country. Victor de Bruijn, 46, entered into a civil union with Bianca, 31, and Mirjam, 35, in a ceremony before a notary.

“I love both Bianca and Mirjam, so I am marrying them both,” Victor said, according to the Brussels Journal.

Victor had been already married to Bianca, when they met Mirjam Geven through an Internet chat box nearly three years ago. Eight weeks after their online encounter, Mirjam left her husband to live with Victor and Bianca. After Mirjam’s divorce, the three decided to enter into a union.

“A marriage between three persons is not possible in the Netherlands, but a civil union is,” Victor explained to the Brussels Journal. “We consider this to be just an ordinary marriage.”

Victor told journalists that there is no jealousy between the three partners because both Mirjam and Bianca are bisexual.

“I think that with two heterosexual women it would be more difficult,” Victor said, adding that he is a heterosexual. A fourth person will not be allowed into the union, he said.

They three said they want to take their “marriage” obligations seriously: “to be honest and open with each other and not philander.”