I'm mid 30s, gay and prefer the word partner. I think there's definitely a desire in some people to pretend like a homosexual marriage is exactly the same as its heterosexual counterpart, but it just isn't IMO. Not in a lesser way, just different. Partner, to me, is the definition of a loving, committed, long-term relationship and there isn't any ambiguity to it outside of paperwork.

"Straight people or queer people use the word "partner" to seem gay and disguise the fact that their lover is—in fact—of the opposite sex."

I've noticed this too. "Allies" looking for woke points IMO.