Facebook introduced two new status relationship options last month: “In a civil union” and “in a domestic partnership.”

In an effort to crackdown on cyber bullying, Facebook teamed up with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the Human Rights Campaign.

In a recent news release, GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios said, “Facebook sent a clear message in support of gay and lesbian couples to users across the globe.”

President of UNA’s Gay-Straight Alliance, Scott Dyar, commends the social networking site for the new options.

“The addition of these two new relationship statuses is a great gesture of support for the gay community,” Dyar said.

“But the very fact that it is 2011 and there is still the necessity to differentiate like this saddens me somewhat, but I definitely think we’re not too far from seeing the necessity for this differentiation going away,” he added.

But not everyone is on board for this shift in society. The idea of a “domestic partnership” option doesn’t sit well with conservatives like The Flor-Ala Republican Political Columnist, Josh Dodd.

“The notion that someone can live with someone else and gain a certain tax status and legal rights bucks traditional family values, and if the American family is destroyed, we will see the end of this country,” said Dodd. “This is extremely offensive to me, and I am not pleased with Facebook for doing this.”

Dyar admits the new relationship status options may not be appreciated by many, but said the Shoals area has surprised him with a lot of support for the gay community.

“I think that the big issue here is that people are having a very difficult time separating the concept of secular marriage and religious marriage,” said Dyar. “I’m pretty sure that, in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legal, churches are still entitled to perform only the marriages that they recognize.”

The new status options are available for Facebook users in the U.S., Canada, France, the U.K. and Australia.