Civil union

Definition and Purpose of Civil Unions

• Civil unions are legally recognized arrangements similar to marriage.
• They were primarily created to provide recognition in law for same-sex couples.
• Civil unions grant some or all of the rights of marriage, with a few exceptions.
• They were first established in Denmark in 1989 for same-sex couples.
• Civil unions aim to provide legal recognition and rights to unmarried same-sex couples.

Terminology and Variations of Civil Unions

• The terms used to designate civil unions vary widely from country to country.
• Some common terms include civil partnerships, registered partnerships, and domestic partnerships.
• The level of rights, benefits, obligations, and responsibilities also varies across jurisdictions.
• Some countries allow same-sex couples to adopt, while others have restrictions.
• In the United States, civil unions were introduced in Vermont in 2000 as an equivalent status to marriage for same-sex couples.

Comparison with Marriage and Domestic Partnerships

• Civil unions are not seen as a replacement for marriage by many in the LGBT community.
• Domestic partnerships are often considered to have fewer benefits than civil unions.
• Some opponents of same-sex marriage argue that civil unions provide the same rights as marriage.
• Critics argue that civil unions are separate but equal and exclude same-sex couples from marriage.
• A New Jersey commission found that civil unions invite unequal treatment of same-sex couples.

Criticisms and Controversies Surrounding Civil Unions

• Civil unions have been criticized for not conveying the emotional meaning or respect of marriage.
• Some argue that civil unions stigmatize same-sex relationships and treat them as commercial ventures.
• Critics claim that civil unions are a way to withhold marriage rights from same-sex couples.
• The term 'civil union' is seen by some as a second-class status for same-sex couples.
• Creating civil unions for opposite-sex couples has been suggested as a way to avoid accusations of discrimination.

Support and Benefits of Civil Unions

• Proponents argue that civil unions provide practical equality for same-sex couples.
• They can solve issues related to hospital visitation rights and property transfer.
• Civil unions are seen as a pragmatic way to ensure legal rights without the controversy of marriage.
• Supporters believe that marriage matters and that civil unions do not convey the same emotional meaning.
• Recognizing same-sex relationships under the term 'domestic partnership' is seen as stigmatizing.

Civil union Data Sources