Facebook adds 'civil unions' to relationship status options

Facebook has added 'civil unions' and 'domestic partnerships' to its list of relationship status options, in a move which has been applauded by equality rights campaigners.
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The new options are available for members in the UK, US, Canada, France and Australia.



Previously members could only choose from single, 'in a relationship', engaged, married, 'it's complicated', widowed, separated, divorced and 'in an open relationship'.

Now 'in a civil union' and in a 'domestic partnership', has been added to the options list.

"When millions of Facebook users see these relationship status options, they gain a greater understanding of the legal inequalities faced by loving and committed same-sex couples in so many states today," said Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

A Facebook spokesman said, "This has been a highly requested feature from users. We want to provide options for people to genuinely and authentically reflect their relationships on Facebook."