civil union
Marriage-like legal status
A civil union is a legally recognized relationship between two people, offering some or all of the rights of marriage without the designation.
Civil unions emerged primarily as a compromise for same-sex couples before marriage equality: Vermont was the first state to allow civil unions.
The term now sounds dated in places where same-sex marriage is legal.
Ceremony presider
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- witnessOne who attests
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
reception · registry office · courthouse · signing · declaration · pronouncement · guests · announcement
Two linked together
- partnersJoint venture participants
- life partnerCommitted romantic companion
- spouseMarried partner
- companionOne who keeps company
pair · duo · commitment · bond · togetherness · cohabitation · household · domestic
Nonmarital cohabiting relationship
- legal recognitionFormal validity under law
- marriage equalitySame legal wedlock for all
- same-sex marriageWedlock between like genders
- legal statusOne's position in law
legislation · registry · license · certificate · filing · dissolution · jurisdiction · statute
Gains or helpful effects
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- hospital visitationSeeing someone in care
- adoptionLegal family formation
- spousal privilegeSpouses can't be compelled to testify
immigration · taxes · insurance · pension · property · joint filing · survivorship · custody
Sexual and gender minorities
- marriage equalitySame legal wedlock for all
- non-discriminationEqual treatment regardless of difference
- inclusivityPractice of welcoming all
- equal protectionUniform legal treatment
human rights · recognition · dignity · advocacy · activism · milestone · landmark · progress
officiant
Ceremony presider
celebration · reception · registry office · courthouse · signing · declaration · pronouncement · guests · announcement · commemoration
couple
Two linked together
- partnersJoint venture participants
- life partnerCommitted romantic companion
- spouseMarried partner
companion · pair · duo · commitment · bond · togetherness · cohabitation · household · domestic · joint
domestic partnership
Nonmarital cohabiting relationship
- legal recognitionFormal validity under law
- marriage equalitySame legal wedlock for all
- same-sex marriageWedlock between like genders
legal status · legislation · registry · license · certificate · filing · dissolution · jurisdiction · statute · code
benefits
Gains or helpful effects
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- hospital visitationSeeing someone in care
- adoptionLegal family formation
spousal privilege · immigration · taxes · insurance · pension · property · joint filing · survivorship · custody · power of attorney
LGBTQ
Sexual and gender minorities
- marriage equalitySame legal wedlock for all
- non-discriminationEqual treatment regardless of difference
- inclusivityPractice of welcoming all
equal protection · human rights · recognition · dignity · advocacy · activism · milestone · landmark · progress · Stonewall
- celebrationsgraduation, festival, party, wedding, fireworks
- marriagebride, groom, wedding, husband, wife
- ceremonieswedding ceremony, wedding, weddings, graduation, graduations
- couplescouple, married couple, married couples, pair, twosome
- marriage termswedding, marriage, husband, wife, bride
- Relationship Milestonesfirst kiss, first date, proposal, wedding, engagement
civil unionholy matrimony
Sacred rite of spousal union
traditional marriage · marriage · matrimony · unmarried · domestic partnership
civil unioncohabitation
Dwelling together unmarried
living together · casual dating · dating · single · unpartnered
civil unionholy matrimony
Sacred rite of spousal union
religious marriage · church wedding · religious ceremony · church blessing · secular marriage
union, civil, civic, civilized, civilization, uncivilized, uncivil, civility, civics