Civil partnership意思

Civil partnership is a legal status that provides same-sex couples with the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, although the term "marriage" is not used. It was introduced in the United Kingdom in 2004 and has since been adopted by several other countries. Civil partnerships offer same-sex couples the ability to formalize their relationship and gain legal recognition, including rights regarding inheritance, tax, pensions, and next-of-kin status in hospitals. The concept was introduced as an alternative to marriage for same-sex couples, although in many jurisdictions, civil partnerships have since been replaced by same-sex marriage or given couples the option to convert their partnership into a marriage.