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Romania top court approves referendum on marriage definition

Romania top court approves referendum on marriage definition | iNFOnews.ca
A girl takes part in a gay rights activists protest against proposed changes to the constitution that would prevent future recognition of same-sex marriages, in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. Romanian Senators on Tuesday approved a measure that would pave the way for the constitution, which currently states that marriage is a union between "spouses", to be changed to explicitly state that marriage is a union of a man and a woman. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

BUCHAREST, Romania – Romania’s top court has given a green light to a referendum that could change the constitution to explicitly state that marriage is a union between a man and a woman.

The constitutional Court decided Monday in a 7-2 vote that there is no legal impediment for the Oct. 7 referendum.

Senators approved the referendum last week, after 3 million Romanians signed a petition demanding a constitutional amendment redefining marriage, which is currently defined as a union between “spouses.”

Some lawmakers in this socially conservative Eastern European state argue that the constitution should be changed on religious grounds.

Groups advocating for equality for same-sex couples have condemned the referendum, which needs a turnout of 30 per cent to be valid.

Romania doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage or offer legal protection to same-sex couples.

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Abbey Westbury

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