Lavender marriage is a term coined to describe a marriage between a man and a woman in which one, or both, parties are homosexual. Usually, but not always, both parties are assumed to be complicit in a public deception to hide their homosexuality. If one party is straight, they are referred to as the beard. While the term has passed from modern usage, rumors that the practice still occurs to protect careers continue to surround some high profile celebrity couples. Among the couples and individuals who have been reported or rumored to have entered "lavender marriages" are: