“partner” is such a perfect term too. It means exactly what the person is whether you’ve been too broke to marry, have strong opinions about marriage, can’t marry, been married for decades, will get married at some point, don’t feel like going through the hassle of marriage, aren’t ready to marry etc. about the only time “partner” doesn’t fit is when it isn’t a committed relationship or stuff is completely on the rocks/falling apart
Like, I adore my wife and family and there’s something special about specifically getting yo call your partner your wife/husband, so I’ll use primarily gendered language for my household, but everyone else I’ll generally default to gender neutral language (and “partner” for folks partners because I dont know everyone’s marriage/relationship status) and nobody seems to even notice (it’s almost like pronouns are just part of the English language and not inherently political!)
I call my spouse my partner for similar reasons.
If it helps normalize it then at least I’m doing something incredibly small to help people who might face discrimination.
“partner” is such a perfect term too. It means exactly what the person is whether you’ve been too broke to marry, have strong opinions about marriage, can’t marry, been married for decades, will get married at some point, don’t feel like going through the hassle of marriage, aren’t ready to marry etc. about the only time “partner” doesn’t fit is when it isn’t a committed relationship or stuff is completely on the rocks/falling apart
Like, I adore my wife and family and there’s something special about specifically getting yo call your partner your wife/husband, so I’ll use primarily gendered language for my household, but everyone else I’ll generally default to gender neutral language (and “partner” for folks partners because I dont know everyone’s marriage/relationship status) and nobody seems to even notice (it’s almost like pronouns are just part of the English language and not inherently political!)
That’s how I feel too.
When I know people/they know her she’s my wife, but for strangers/coworkers/acquaintances I use partner.
It would feel bizarre talking about her to people who know her and not use her pronouns. But if I don’t have to share that I don’t.