Civil union - sustany/dvg GitHub Wiki

A civil union is a marriage-like relationship, created primarily as a means to provide recognition in law for same-sex couples. In other words, civil union is a legal relationship between two people that provides legal protection to the couple at the state level. If a couple is in a civil union they get inheritance rights, employment benefits, property, parental rights, etc.

Vermont was the first state in the U.S. to recognize civil unions. The�state supreme court�ruled in�Baker v. State�of Vermont that the state had to extend to same-sex couples the common benefits and protections granted to those who marry under Vermont law. The Vermont legislature passed legislation creating the opportunity for same-sex couples to obtain a �civil union� license.

However, the�United States Supreme Court�ruled�in�Obergefell v. Hodges�that same-sex marriage is legal in every state and each state must recognize a same-sex marriage performed in other states. In light of this U.S. Supreme Court decision, civil unions may now become less common.�