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A '''civil union''' is a legally-recognized domestic union offered in some jurisdictions as a substitute for marriage, generally to same-sex couples. Civil unions intend to give same-sex couples in a long-term, committed relationship the same rights and responsibilities they would have if legally married, without extending marriage to include same-sex partnerships.

A '''civil union''' is a legally-recognized domestic union offered in some jurisdictions as a substitute for marriage, generally to same-sex couples. Civil unions intend to give same-sex couples in a long-term, committed relationship the same rights and responsibilities they would have if legally married, without extending marriage to include same-sex partnerships.

Civil unions exist in many countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Sweden. Civil unions and similar 'domestic partnerships' are offered in several U.S. states.

Civil unions exist in many countries, including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Sweden. Civil unions and similar 'domestic partnerships' are offered in several U.S. states.

Civil unions generally confer rights including co-parenting, the ability to make decisions for a partner who is medically incapacitated, access to family health plans, and some tax benefits.<ref>http://www.factcheck.org/what_is_a_civil_union.html</ref>

Civil unions generally confer rights including co-parenting, the ability to make decisions for a partner who is medically incapacitated, access to family health plans, and some tax benefits.<ref>http://www.factcheck.org/what_is_a_civil_union.html</ref>

Civil unions appeal to people of many political backgrounds because they offer some of the rights and recognition of traditional marriage to same-sex couples while avoiding debate over the definition of 'marriage'. Some social conservatives condemn the idea of civil unions because they believe that they condone [[homosexuality]], which they see as immoral. Other people believe that civil unions are not an appropriate substitute for the legalization of [[same-sex marriage]] because they often do not offer the same rights as does marriage. Some also believe that civil unions create segregation between same-sex and opposite-sex couples under the umbrella of "separate but equal"  services.

Civil unions appeal to people of many political backgrounds because they offer some of the rights and recognition of traditional marriage to same-sex couples while avoiding debate over the definition of 'marriage'. Some social conservatives condemn the idea of civil unions because they believe that they condone [[homosexuality]], which they see as immoral. Other people believe that civil unions are not an appropriate substitute for the legalization of [[same-sex marriage]] because they often do not offer the same rights as does marriage. Some also believe that civil unions create segregation between same-sex and opposite-sex couples under the umbrella of "separate but equal"  services.