Over 3 million support traditional marriage in Romania

More than 3 million people in Romania have signed a petition for their constitution to enshrine that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. Romania’s Coalition for Family launched a petition in 2016 calling for the constitution to state that: “the family is founded on the freely consented marriage between a man and a woman, their equality, and the right and duty of parents to ensure the upbringing, education, and instruction of children.” Romanian lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies voted overwhelmingly to change the constitution, with 232 votes in favour and just 22 against. It now moves on to the Senate where a two-thirds majority is required for it to pass. A national referendum would then be required to make the change. Speaking in support of the proposal, National Liberal Party Deputy Daniel Gheorghe said, “The identity and values of the society we live in have lately been under attack around the world. Family has become a target. The relativisation of morals aims to achieve the relativisation of the family. “No rights are curtailed by this measure. It is only a clarification of legislation, and a strengthening of what family means in Romania.” Vlad Viski, President of a Romanian LGBT group said he blamed “the Orthodox Church and the American-sponsored neo-protestant groups,” for the strong support for the move.