This study evaluates the impact of relationship recognition on lesbian women as a class. After an introduction on the history of Canadian legal & social policy related to spousal relationships & sexuality issues, chapter 1 identifies the demographic characteristics of lesbian couples in Canada using information from Canadian & US sources as well as a micro-simulation database. This demographic information forms a backdrop against which various models of relationship recognition on lesbian women is evaluated in chapter 2. Models surveyed range from complete access to marriage to quasi-marital & segregated models. Their overall structural impact on lesbian women is assessed. Chapter 3 examines the distributional impact of relationship recognition, including how incomes & other characteristics associated with sex, sexuality, race, and relationship status & ability affect eligibility for relationship-based benefits. This chapter also looks at the probable revenue implications of recognizing lesbian relationships. The final chapter presents policy recommendations that bring together two main considerations: the importance of promoting the genuine equality of all women in Canada; and the importance of ensuring that relationship recognition laws do not differentially burden or benefit any class of people.