‘Spouse’ best alternative

What ever happened to the word “spouse”? It’s simple, gender-neutral and already widely used. Even the most traditional of couples must surely have referred to themselves as spouses at some point or allowed others to do so without taking offense.

It seems to me that what really offends our opponents is the prospect of having to treat same-sex couples as equal to themselves. That’s why they want separate forms and separate language.

Illinois provides an example of using one form for all couples. When my wife and I got married there in 2014, the clerk asked us if we wished to be designated “Bride 1 and Bride 2” or “Spouse 1 and Spouse 2.”

We chose the term spouse because it was familiar and gender-neutral. Since then, we’ve grown more comfortable with the term wife. But that’s a matter of personal preference.

Kentucky should keep one form and give every couple the same options.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 2:04 PM with the headline "‘Spouse’ best alternative."