| − | A '''domestic partnership''' is a legally recognized union between two people, similiar to [[same sex marriage]]. Domestic partnerships are usually between two people of the same gender but it is possible to have an opposite gender domestic partnership. Opponents of same sex marriage say it is essentially the same thing. Proponents argue that couples in a domestic partnership miss many of the benifits of legal marriage, and are being forced into a 'seperate but equal' status, much like blacks before the civil rights era. As of 2007, the states of [[California]], [[Maine]], [[New Jersey]], [[Washington]], and [[Oregon]] offer domestic partnership status, as does [[Washington, D.C.]]. Several other countries and cities offer partnerships as well. | + | A '''domestic partnership''' is a legally recognized union between two people, similiar to [[same sex marriage]]. Domestic partnerships are usually between two people of the same gender but it is possible to have an opposite gender domestic partnership. Opponents of same sex marriage say it is essentially the same thing. Proponents argue that couples in a domestic partnership miss many of the benifits of legal marriage, and are being forced into a 'seperate but equal' status, much like blacks before the civil rights era. As of 2007, the states of [[California]], [[Maine]], [[New Jersey]], [[Washington]], and [[Oregon]] offer domestic partnership status, as does [[Washington, D.C.]]. Several other countries and cities offer partnerships as well.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3736/is_200101/ai_n8947451 Domestic Partnership Laws in the United States: A Review and Critique]</ref> |