marriage equality

American  

noun

1. the state of having the same rights and responsibilities of marriage as others, regardless of one's sexual orientation or gender identity.

2. legal recognition of the rights of marriage regardless of one's sexual orientation or gender identity.

   If it becomes law, the bill would establish marriage equality for same-sex couples.

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Etymology

Origin of marriage equality

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

“Now, Rob and Michelle Reiner became the driving force in the landmark decision for marriage equality across the United States.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

Cheney announced that - although the final decision should be left to individual states - he was personally in favour of marriage equality.

From BBC • Nov. 4, 2025

He also seemed to genuinely care about supporting the marginalized: He had, for example, organized something called the “Big Gay Race” in support of marriage equality before he held political office.

From Slate • Nov. 3, 2025

Hodges, the 2015 decision that legalized marriage equality.

From Salon • Aug. 13, 2025

Others say those concerns sound strikingly similar to ones raised during the fight for marriage equality, when some argued that same-sex couples should settle for civil unions to avoid alienating religious moderates.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2025