Facebook’s Relationship Status

Courtesy of Facebook

There are now two new ways to describe a user’s relationship status on Facebook. The social media application has added “in a domestic partnership” and “in a civil union” to the options, which already include many of the standard cues, like “married,” “single” and the favorite “it’s complicated.”

“Facebook sent a clear message in support of gay and lesbian couples to users across the globe,” says Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD, one of the LGBT organizations that pushed for the change that’s now available for Facebook users in the U.S., Canada, U.K., France and Australia.

“By acknowledging the relationships of countless loving and committed same-sex couples in the U.S. and abroad, Facebook has set a new standard of inclusion for social media,” Barrios says. “As public support for marriage equality continues to grow, we will continue to work for the day when all couples have the opportunity to marry and have their relationship recognized by their community, both online and off.”

Late last year, GLAAD and other LGBT organizations, including the HRC, GLSEN, PFLAG and The Trevor Project, partnered with Facebook to create “Network of Support,” an educational initiative that combats cyber-bullying with MTV’s “A Thin Line” campaign. The groups also worked with Facebook on how to treat LGBT issues.

So will you be changing your relationship status anytime soon?