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

See Examples For:

marriage equality

“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

But in 2017 the Episcopal Church in Scotland went much further and voted for marriage equality for gay couples.

From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026

Reiner was also a longtime influential player in Democratic politics, which included co-founding an organization that played a pivotal role in the fight for marriage equality.

From Salon ● Dec. 16, 2025

Just two years after the decision, Chief Justice John Roberts seems to have quietly joined a follow-up ruling affirming its protections for same-sex parents, suggesting that he had made his peace with marriage equality.

From Slate ● 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