Are civil unions recognized by the federal government?
No, civil unions are not recognized by the federal government. In fact, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which was passed by Congress in 1996, defines marriage as the legal union between one man and one woman and does not recognize any other type of union, including civil unions. In Virginia, civil unions are recognized on a state level, but they do not carry any of the legal rights, benefits, or responsibilities that are associated with marriage. This means that civil union couples in Virginia are unable to access federal tax benefits, such as the right to file joint federal taxes or receive Social Security benefits. Civil unions are also not considered when it comes to issues such as immigration rights, so civil union partners in Virginia are unable to gain access to a partner’s visa or residency. While civil unions are a step closer to full marriage equality, they are still not legally recognized on a federal level.
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