European court opens hearing on recognizing same-sex unions
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The European Court of Justice has opened a hearing on the recognition of same-sex marriages in European Union countries where they aren't legal.
Tuesday's hearing in Luxembourg came after Romania's constitutional court asked the European court to make a ruling on the issue amid a court case in Romania brought by a Romanian-American couple who want their 2010 union to be recognized. Same-sex marriage isn't legally recognized in Romania, an EU member.
Iustina Ionescu, a Romanian lawyer, told the court the couple's marriage should be recognized based on the EU principle of free movement.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Representatives from Romania, Hungary, Poland and Estonia told the court Tuesday they don't want the term "spouse" to include same-sex unions.
A total of 22 out of EU's 28 members recognize same-sex unions or civil partnerships.