marriage equality
Universal matrimonial rights
Marriage equality is the principle that same-sex couples should have the same legal right to marry as opposite-sex couples.
The term emerged in debates over legalizing same-sex marriage and frames the issue as one of civil rights rather than morality: The court's ruling was a victory for marriage equality.
Advocates prefer this framing to "gay marriage."
Pleading for a cause
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
- grassrootsCommon people as political base
demonstration · march · petition · coalition · movement · solidarity · boycott · civil disobedience
Guaranteed individual legal protections
- human rightsInalienable personal freedoms
- equal protectionUniform legal treatment
- non-discriminationEqual treatment regardless of difference
- LGBTQ+Sexual and gender minorities
dignity · liberty · parity · equivalence · Fourteenth Amendment · due process · minority rights · constitutional right
Formal event marking occasions
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- spouseMarried partner
- partnerOne who shares activity
- nuptialsVows and rings
wedding · couple · anniversary · devotion · bond · fidelity · companionship · honeymoon
Official enactment of statutes
- Supreme CourtNation's top tribunal
- constitutionalityAccordance with founding charter
- civil unionLegal spousal alternative
- domestic partnershipNonmarital cohabiting relationship
spousal benefits · inheritance · adoption · tax benefits · immigration · legal status · joint filing · hospital visitation
Confirmation of receipt
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- visibilityRange of clear sight
representation · affirmation · status · certification · documentation · societal acceptance · international recognition · reciprocity
advocacy
Pleading for a cause
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- campaignOrganized effort toward goal
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
grassroots · demonstration · march · petition · coalition · movement · solidarity · boycott · civil disobedience · Stonewall
civil rights
Guaranteed individual legal protections
- human rightsInalienable personal freedoms
- equal protectionUniform legal treatment
- non-discriminationEqual treatment regardless of difference
LGBTQ+ · dignity · liberty · parity · equivalence · Fourteenth Amendment · due process · minority rights · constitutional right · fundamental right
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
nuptials · wedding · couple · anniversary · devotion · bond · fidelity · companionship · honeymoon · engagement
legislation
Official enactment of statutes
- Supreme CourtNation's top tribunal
- constitutionalityAccordance with founding charter
- civil unionLegal spousal alternative
domestic partnership · spousal benefits · inheritance · adoption · tax benefits · immigration · legal status · joint filing · hospital visitation · divorce rights
acknowledgment
Confirmation of receipt
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- acceptanceConsent to receive
visibility · representation · affirmation · status · certification · documentation · societal acceptance · international recognition · reciprocity · legal standing
- LGBTQ historyStonewall riots, gay liberation, Harvey Milk, pride movement, gay rights movement
- Faith and Sexualityhuman sexuality, blessing ceremonies, conversion therapy, religious trauma, coming out
- sex lawsodomy laws, age of consent, consent laws, civil unions, domestic partnership
- civil rightsequal protection, equal rights, Civil Rights Act, right to life, Voting Rights Act
- human rightshuman dignity, civil liberties, right to liberty, right to life, fundamental rights
- LGBTQgay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer
marriage equalityDefense of Marriage Act
Federal same-sex marriage ban
DOMA · Proposition 8 · marriage ban · sodomy laws · domestic partnership
marriage equalitytraditional marriage
Customary male-female union
marriage equalitysodomy laws
Statutes criminalizing particular sexual behaviors
marriage, married, equality, unmarried, marrying, marriages, matrimony, remarriage, matrimonial