Recognition of same-sex unions in Romania

Legal recognition of same-sex relationships
Marriage Argentina Belgium Brazil Canada Denmark France Iceland Netherlands New Zealand† Norway Portugal South Africa Spain Sweden Uruguay† Performed in some jurisdictions Mexico: DF, QR United States: CT, DC, DE†, IA, MA, MD, ME, MN†, NH, NY, RI†, VT, WA, 3 tribal jurisdictions Recognized, not performed Aruba, Curaçao, St Maarten (NL only) Israel Mexico (other Mexican states only) United States: CA (conditional)
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Unregistered cohabitation Australia Croatia Israel
See also Same-sex union legislation Same-sex union court cases Timeline of same-sex marriage Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe Recognition of same-sex unions in North America Recognition of same-sex unions in South America Marriage privatization Divorce of same-sex couples Domestic partnership Military policy Listings by country
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Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in Europe

  Same-sex marriage

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  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples

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Romania does not recognise same-sex unions, either in the form of same-sex marriage or civil unions.

2004 election campaign

Romanian President Traian Băsescu said during his electoral campaign of late 2004 that he sees nothing wrong with same sex marriage. The opposition Social Democratic Party later used his comments against him during the presidential campaign.

Political activism

The primary LGBT rights in Romania, Accept, has advocated for partnership rights for same sex couples as well as for same-sex marriage in Romania. The organisation launched a campaign to legalise same-sex unions in Romania during the Bucharest GayFest 2006, which lasted from 30 May to 4 June, and was organised under the theme of "Same-sex marriage and civil unions in Romania". This event provoked widespread debate over the issue in the media. LGBT activists from ACCEPT organised a public debate and seminar on same-sex unions on 31 May, and called on the government to provide marriage or at least registered partnership for same-sex couples, offering its assistance in forming a legislative proposal. So far, the government has not responded.

Romaniţa Iordache, the president of ACCEPT, stated on 31 May that "Article 200 [the last anti-gay law] has been abrogated, but we [the LGBT community] still do not have equal rights, even though the Constitution guarantees this." The spokesman of ACCEPT, Florin Buhuceanu, claimed that, "Guaranteeing the equality of rights through the recognition of gay marriage... is just a step forward."

Romania's first religious same-sex marriage ceremony took place on 5 June 2006, following the Bucharest GayFest, when Florin Buhuceanu, the executive director of Accept, married his Spanish partner of four years. The symbolic marriage, which has no legal status in Romania, was blessed by the Metropolitan Community Church in Bucharest, an international denomination which recognises same-sex unions and supports LGBT rights. The couple married officially later in 2006, in a civil marriage in Spain, where same-sex marriage is legal.

Statutory same-sex marriage ban

On 13 February 2008, the Senate of Romania voted an amendment to the Civil Code, proposed by Greater Romania Party, to explicitly define marriage as being only between a man and a woman. Previously, the law had only used the words "between spouses". The amendment was approved with 38 votes for, 10 votes against and 19 senators abstaining. It was not voted on in the Chamber of Deputies, and as new elections took place at the end of that year, the legislation died.

In May 2009, a new Civil Code was proposed by the government. The Parliamentary Subcommittee responsible for the Civil Code decided to amend the definition of marriage, mentioning explicitly that it must be "between a man and a woman". Furthermore, an amendment was passed stating that the Romanian state would not recognise foreign same-sex marriages. The government will assume responsibility over the law, thus bypassing the parliament.

Civil partnerships law project

On 23 February 2008, Péter Eckstein-Kovács, a parliamentarian from the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania, proposed the legalisation of registered partnerships which would allow unmarried same-sex and opposite-sex couples a number of rights. He said that the current Family Code was "adopted more than fifty years ago and no longer reflects social realities, both in the case of homosexuals and heterosexuals". This marks the first time that a Romanian politician has explicitly supported civil partnerships for same-sex couples.

On 23 July 2008, Péter Eckstein-Kovács introduced a civil partnership bill in the Senate. However, the bill died in the Senate following the 2008 Romanian legislative election.

A civil partnerships bill was introduced by the Democratic Liberal Deputy Viorel Arion in February 2011. It would provide same-sex and opposite-sex couples with some of the rights of marriage. It received a favourable recommendation from the Legislative Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. However, the bill was opposed by the Government, which stated that the Civil Code only recognises one form of relationship in Romania (marriage between a man and a woman).

On April 2013, the social democratic MP Remus Cernea has announced a proposed law that would give same-sex marriages the same rights as heterosexual ones, prompting fierce reactions from opponents of the move.

Political party viewpoints

None of Romania's major political parties, either in government or in opposition, explicitly supports same-sex marriage or registered partnerships, or has proposed any law regarding it, resulting in the debate about this issue in the political sphere being more reserved than in civil society and the media.

On 6 June, the Cotidianul newspaper conducted interviews with representatives of the five main political parties, asking them about their stance on same-sex marriage.

Crin Antonescu, the leader of the parliamentary delegation of the National Liberal Party, part of the governing alliance, declined to give an official party view on the matter. Instead, he said that, "Both the party and myself have given proof that we are in favour of recognising sexual minorities. However, personally I am against marriage between people of the same sex."

The leader of the Democratic Party, the other large governing coalition member, was similarly elusive, stating that: "Now is not the right moment to talk about this issue [same-sex marriage]. We now have other much more important things to do regarding European integration. Let's integrate firstly, and then we can see the way in which mentalities change. Eventually, we will discuss this issue then." Romania's EU accession took place in January 2007.

Liviu Negoiţă, the Democrat mayor of Bucharest's Sector 3, stated that, "if a law will exist [legalising same-sex marriage], I will respect it. As a mayor, I don't have any other choice. Personally, I respect the sexual choice of each person."

The largest opposition party, the Social Democrats, whose stance on social issues is usually more conservative than that of the governing parties, stated that they would "not initiate and would not support such a legislative proposal". However, the party's official spokesperson also proclaimed that, "A public debate [on same-sex marriage] is necessary, in order to see in what way the standards regarding fundamental liberties can be improved in regard to people with another sexual orientation."

Opposition was seen most clearly from the far-right, nationalist Greater Romania Party. The vice-president of the party stated that, "Clearly, we wouldn't initiate such a legislative proposal, since we're a Christian party. The sin of sodomy is one of the biggest [sins]."

The Conservative Party was less vocal in its opposition to same-sex marriage, with Octavian Petrovici, the vice-president of the party's Bucharest division, stating about same-sex couples that "it's their own choice, and in the same way that we respect the option of every citizen, we respect the choice of these people. However, it is a long way from respecting a choice to making special laws, which do not match the values and principles that our party affirms."

On 27 November 2006, the women's organisation of the Conservative Party adopted a resolution opposing same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption. The resolution declared that, "The family has as its primary aim our continuity and we will continue to support its development, particularly since we will be confronted in the future with an accentuated process of aging and a significant reduction in the population. We reject categorically the legalisation of same-sex marriage."

On 10 June 2007, after the annual Bucharest GayFest, the Conservative Party reiterated its position on same-sex marriage, stating, "The sexual options of each citizen are accepted and respected in Romania, but from here until the adoption of special laws for sexual minorities is too long a way. We support the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman."

In April 2013 when Remus Cernea declared that he would propose a law allowing same-sex unions in Romania there were fierece reactions, among the vehment was from. Puiu Hașotti,a member of the senate, describing homosexuals as "sick people" and that "homosexuality is not natural and by these reasons they have no chance". Despite a formal complaint made by the gay rights NGO Accept made to the National Council for Combating Discrimination no sanction was given in the matter.

Mădălin Voicu stated that "Voting such a law is not what I consider civilized behavior. I have certain principles that I do not abdicate from and being a good Christian at some point these things are extravagant to put it civilized" and holds a harsher view regarding LGBT adoption where he states "I could understand same-sex marriage because they are sick people in my opinion but adoption, I consider that a blasphemy. It would be a sacrifice for those children to be adopted by same-sex couples"

Ovidiu Ioan Silaghi, a senator from the National Liberal Party (Romania) and Ciprian Mihai Rogojan, member of the Liberal Democratic Party (Romania) hold the view that the Romanian Orthodox Church should be consulted first.

Rozica Biro from Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania and President of the Commission on Human Rights states that "homosexuals should not be marginalized, but I would not go that far in allowing same-sex unions. The European Union cannot impose anything on us, they can only recommend, and this measure would not be adequate to the Romanian society"

Alina Gorghiu a member of National Liberal Party (Romania) and also a member of Chamber of Deputies (Romania) think that there should not be a public debate as this law initiative is not viable.

Florentin Gust, member of Social Democratic Party (Romania) says that "I, as a young politician don't agree. We started taking from Europe all that is worse, and legalizing of these practices is a bad thing for an orthodox country. It would have significant consequences for the new generations and legalizing same-sex relationships has no worth in Romania.".

Norica Nicolai, an MEP, states that "It's a matter that's for societies that have legalized same-sex marriage. My convictions are religious. I can tolerate them but it's hard for me to accept them. As for supporting a legislative initiative, as was with decriminalization of prostitution I will not support this law."

Octavian Bot, a member of parliament and member of Liberal Democratic Party (Romania) stated for a press interview that "As a liberal, having a liberal mindset agree with sexual relations regarding same-sex, it is probably the way nature wanted them to be but I do not agree in legalizing marriage. Same-sex marriage is not in my opinion a human rights issue. If we are going this path we'll end up legalizing marriages between a woman and a stallion. I'm joking of course but marriage seems forced, it's too much"

Raluca Turcan member of Romanian Chamber of Deputies and the Liberal Democratic Party (Romania) stated at a press conference that: "Marriage is between a man and a woman, a thing that ought to be in the Constitution. Regarding this subject I have a personal as well as a political opinion in LDP. Staying true to the popular values that define us, family comes first and a family is defined as the relationship between a man and a woman. As a personal option I would encourage a Constitutional amendment to define a marriage between a man and a woman.".

On the 3rd of May 2013 Ecaterina Andronescu, former Minister of Education, professor, and member of the Social Democratic Party (Romania) declared in an interview when questioned about legalizing same-sex marriage the following: "You know, to answer this questions it's necessary to give a more extended commentary. On one hand I respect human rights, I know that my freedoms ends where I am interfering with yours, but at the same time each of us has a mission on this earth, we must ensure future generations and this occurs naturally by marriage between men and women. If we go further we would understand that at some point humanity will come to an end if same-sex marriage is proliferated too extensively. That's why I, personally don't believe this is a solution, although I do agree that I must respect each individual's answer to the question "What will he do with his life" "

See also

• LGBT rights in Romania
• Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe