what is lavender marriage

A lavender marriage is a marriage between a man and a woman in which one or both partners are queer (e.g., homosexual or bisexual), and the marriage is typically a marriage of convenience rather than a romantic or sexual relationship. Historically, such marriages were used to conceal the sexual orientation of one or both partners to protect them from social stigma, homophobia, and professional discrimination. Today, while some lavender marriages still serve to provide social cover, others are intentionally chosen partnerships based on mutual care, emotional intimacy, financial stability, or companionship, often without romantic or sexual expectations. These marriages emphasize honesty, clear boundaries, and shared life goals rather than traditional romantic ideals. The term "lavender" is associated with LGBTQ+ history and symbolism, originating from early 20th-century euphemistic usage to denote queerness. Lavender marriages differ from "beard" relationships in that they are consensual and transparent arrangements rather than one-sided deceptions. This concept, rooted in queer history, has seen renewed interest recently as some seek alternative relationship and family structures beyond conventional romance and marriage models, sometimes motivated by cultural, social, economic, or political reasons.