Final answer:
A military spouse or domestic partner refers to someone who is legally united or committed to a person serving in the armed forces. Legal advances have granted same-sex married couples equal spousal rights, addressing disparities created by the former Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This includes rights affecting Social Security, veterans benefits, and protections against intimate partner violence (IPV).
Step-by-step explanation:
A "military spouse or domestic partner" is someone who is married to, or in a committed relationship with, an individual serving in the armed forces. This definition has evolved over time to include same-sex couples following changes in the law regarding the legality of same-sex marriage.
Historically, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 limited marriage to heterosexual couples, creating disparities in the recognition and rights of same-sex partners, including those in the military. However, legal changes, including the repeal of DOMA, have since expanded the recognition of same-sex marriages, granting these couples equitable mandated spousal rights and benefits, such as Social Security, veterans benefits, and family leave. These also encompass the right to visitation in hospital situations and the ability to take family leave in the event of a partner's illness, rights that were previously denied to LGBTQ partners.
Intimate partner violence (IPV), which can include a range of abusive behaviors, is an issue that affects people regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation. Sociologists have expanded the definition of domestic violence to IPV to encompass violence between any individuals who have a romantic or sexual relationship, including unmarried, cohabitating, and same-sex couples.