a government contract that extends the rights and benefits of marriage to gay and lesbian couples

a legal relationship recognised in law in New Zealand

a legal relationship that provides same-sex couples in Vermont all the benefits, protections, and responsibilities under law as are granted to spouses in a marriage

a much more restricted legal arrangement conferred in only a few places and offering no federal benefits at all

a secular union in the eyes of the law, to give a couple formal and legal rights

a term usually, but not always, defining the committed relationship between two same sex individuals in a fashion that is similar to marriage

a union between two citizens

a way for gays and lesbians to enter into a legal partnership to gain some of the benefits of marriage in states that do not allow marriage

Legal recognition of committed same-sex relationships in Vermont and Connecticut ( see IN FOCUS: Civil Unions & Domestic Partnership Laws).

A Civil Union grants gay and lesbian couples the same rights and responsibilities as marriage.

A civil union is a legally recognized union similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples with rights, benefits, and responsibilities similar to those enjoyed by opposite-sex couples in marriage. In some jurisdictions, such as Quebec and New Zealand, civil unions are also open to opposite-sex couples.