The ever changing social network, Facebook has brought a welcome change that allows users to list themselves “in a civil union” and “in a domestic partnership” with their partners.

Digital Trends reports that according to Facebook, “this has been a highly requested feature from users. We want to provide options for people to genuinely and authentically reflect their relationships on Facebook.”

With the large number of Facebook users worldwide, it’s a little surprising that it’s taken the social network giant so long to acknowledge these types of relationships.

The feature will be added to US accounts first and then will roll out to Canada, France, the UK, then reach Australian shores in a few weeks’ time.

Facebook now plays a major role in modern culture across hundreds of countries around the globe, so some are now expecting that the profile alteration might have a few consequences in places where civil unions and domestic relationships are not recognised. Whether it was Facebook’s intention to make a grand gesture to the LGBTI community or simply to further monopolise the social networking arena.

Whatever the reason might be, they should be commended, notes GLAAD president Jarret Barrios. “Today, Facebook sent a clear message in support of gay and lesbian and couples to users across the globe,” he reacts.

“As public support for marriage equality continues to grow, we will continue to work for the day when all couples have the opportunity to marry and have their relationship recognised by their community, both online and off.”

This is indeed great news, but one can’t help but wonder when Facebook will properly cater to our transgender and intersex friends with more gender options than the binary ‘male’, ‘female’ and ‘unspecified’.