Definition of the word civil partner

The term "civil partner" was coined in the United Kingdom in 2000 when the country's Civil Partnership Act was proposed. The legislation, which granted same-sex couples legal rights and benefits equivalent to those enjoyed by married heterosexual couples, was part of a broader movement for marriage equality. At the heart of the debate over whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry or simply be given another legal status was the idea that marriage is a religious institution and should not be redefined by the state. Civil partnership was thus conceived as a way to grant same-sex couples legal recognition without politicizing or religiousizing marriage. The word "civil" in "civil partnership" emphasizes that the relationship being recognized is a legal bond, rather than a religious institution. The term is intended to separate the legal significance of the relationship from any religious or traditional connotations of marriage. Civil partnerships were first introduced in the United Kingdom in 2005 and gained recognition in other countries, including some provinces in Canada and a number of states in the United States. However, many countries and states continue to resist recognizing same-sex relationships, and marriage remains the primary means by which same-sex couples can legally unite. Nonetheless, the term "civil partner" has contributed to the broader discourse around marriage equality and the recognition of the legal rights of same-sex couples.