Facebook adds gay marriage option
Posted on Jul 04, 2012 by equimedia
Facebook has added a new icon to its relationship status options, giving users the opportunity to declare they are in a same-sex marriage.
Ahead of co-founder Chris Hughes' wedding to new husband Sean Eldridge, the social media giant unveiled the icon, which could boost the engagement of homosexual users with the site yet further.
Hughes married his long-time partner on Saturday (June 30th) in a civil ceremony at their New York estate, before hosting a reception at Cipriani Wall Street for 400 guests. The happy couple were among the first to sign up to the new status.
In February of last year Facebook added the option of being able to select 'In a Civil Union' or 'In a Domestic Partnership', but this is the first time users have been able to indicate that they are in a same-sex marriage.
Two years ago in 2010 Facebook also created the Network of Support with GLAAD and other lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender organisations, designed to stop homophobic bullying.
Gay and Lesbian groups around the world have applauded the move, with Allison Palmer of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation stating "Following Facebook's addition of domestic partnership and civil union to profile options last year, these new marriage icons for timeline are another important way for same-sex couples to be recognized."
However, the updates haven't been positively received across the board, with one online group in the US advocating a boycott of the social media site.
They have also arrived amid growing tension in the UK over prime minister David Cameron's proposals to legalise gay marriage in the UK.
Over the last couple of months numerous religious figures have come out against the plans, including the Chief Rabbi.
It has been claimed that marriage is defined as an act between a man and a woman only and same-sex marriage goes against the teachings of the bible.
