Comments

2
WTF is wrong with the word "spouse" AP?

If you're too squeamish to use "husband" or "wife".
3
Is this just for American people being described? What about when writing about people in countries with full same sex marriage?
4
Well, it's still better than "roommate" or "special friend".
5
I'm with @2 - we should just use 'spouse' universally to refer to anyone's marital partner, regardless of gender and/or sexual orientation.
6
Fuck a bunch of AP style. CMOS, please take the lead.
7
I personally hate the term 'partner', my would-be husband has a business partner already, it's needlessly confusing. Spouse works for me though (although we're not legally married so perhaps not completely correct). Our current legal situation make terminology kind of a quagmire.
8
Wasn't the Stranger JUST having a hissy fit that a bill that said that the laws should be written as to be gender neutral might not pass? Now you're ALSO pitching a fit that the AP style should NOT be gender neutral when possible?

And to a greater question: Does anyone ACTUALLY give a shit if the describe their [person] as spouse rather than husband? IT'S LITERALLY A SEMANTIC DIFFERENCE.
9
As a woman in a hetero marriage, I'd prefer to be "spouse" rather than "wife" since the latter has quite a lot of historical baggage.
10
@8 They aren't using "spouse". They are using "partner". A spouse is a member of a married couple while a partner is a generic term for relationships all the way from domestic partners down to middle school science class lab partners.
11
Or if we can only use scare quotes: "Ass"ociated press.
12
I think I am missing what the objection is here.
The AP said:
___________________
SAME-SEX COUPLES: We were asked how to report about same-sex couples who call themselves “husband” and “wife.” Our view is that such terms may be used in AP content if those involved have regularly used those terms (“Smith is survived by his husband, John Jones”) or in quotes attributed to them. Generally AP uses couples or partners to describe people in civil unions or same-sex marriages.
__________

They seem to be fine with husband and wife if that's how the folks refer to themselves, and couples or partners if it's unclear so as not to offend (in general).

Is the objection the the quotes around "husband" and "wife"?

Because I think that is to clarify that the same-sex couple does not call themselves "husband and wife," but rather husbands or wives.
13
I agree with bitwise. Whenever someone mentions their "partner" I don't know if they mean lover or business co-owner.
14
As I get older, I'm really having more and more difficulty working up anger the way I used to be able to.

Seriously, is there something I can take like Viagra when I can't get my outrage up?

Just lemme get spousal benefits and inheritance rights so I can look after my family, and I don't really give a damn what you call it.

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