Romania will hold a referendum on Sunday October 7 that could effectively outlaw gay marriage.

The country’s electorate will vote on a constitutional amendment that would officially define marriage as a union between man and woman, a move angrily opposed by LGBT+ rights campaigners.

Here’s the background to the situation.

What does the amendment involve?

Conservative organisation Coalition for the Family raised the issue by submitting a petition to parliament containing three million signatures and proposing a change to the constitution, calling for the replacement of references to “spouses” with less ambiguous, gender-specific wording.

The suggestion was approved by the Romanian senate in mid-September by 107 votes to 13 and was then passed the Constitutional Court with a seven to two majority, forcing the referendum.

Why was it proposed?

Romania remains a predominantly conservative nation in which the Orthodox Church continues to play a prominent role in public life. There are few “out” politicians and many fear the effect of more liberal values on the nuclear family.

“We’ve been a Christian nation for 2,000 years,” senator Serban Nicolae of the ruling Social Democrats reminded the people recently.

Although the country’s LGBT+ citizens are given equal rights in some areas, including military service, housing and age of sexual consent, they cannot marry or undertake civil partnerships and are banned from giving blood or adopting.

A ruling by the European Court of Justice in July this year, however, forced Romania to acknowledge the residency rights of same-sex spouses following a case brought by a Romanian man on behalf of his American husband.

But like Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Latvia, the Eastern European nation does not offer legal protection to gay and lesbian couples and voting the change into law would only set that inequality in stone, with many fearing a “yes” vote would embolden hate speech or even homophobic violence.

What have LGBT+ campaigners said?

Accept, a Romanian LGBT+ rights group, has accused senators of “raising homophobia to state value and sacrificing constitutional protection for many families.”

“This referendum is essentially asking people to approve discriminating against their neighbours, colleagues, friends and family members,” said Katrin Hugendubel, European advocacy director at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).

“Rainbow families, diverse family groups, loving families living in Romania right now are all threatened by this proposal.”

“Romania has a responsibility to protect all its citizens – straight and LGBTI,” adds Arpi Avetisyan, the same organisation’s European litigation officer.

London Pride 2018: in pictures Show all 47 1 /47 London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (C) opens the Pride In London parade on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Chelsea fans walk the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A parade goer during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Parade goers during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A parade goer during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07:The rainbow flag at Piccadilly Circuse during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures epa06870798 Participants carry a giant Rainbow flag as tens of thousands of people attend the annual London Pride Parade in London, Britain, 07 July 2018. Londoners turned out in support of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender/Transsexual) community. EPA/ANDY RAIN ANDY RAIN EPA London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures London Pride 2018 Angela Christofilou Angela Christofilou London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (C) opens the Pride In London parade on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A view along Regents Street ahead of the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A view along Regents Street ahead of the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images for Pride In London) Jack Taylor Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures Members and supporters of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community wait for the start of the annual Pride Parade in London on July 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Labour party members walk the parade during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London London Pride 2018: in pictures People take part in the Pride in London Parade in central London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 7, 2018. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Barefoot Wine are the official wine sponsor of Pride In London and have been a proud ally of the LGBTQ community since 1988. They celebrated in this years parade with 6 dancing wine bottles matching the 6 different colours of the pride rainbow on July 7, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Milan/Getty Images for Barefoot Wine ) Mark Milan Getty Images for Barefoot Wine London Pride 2018: in pictures LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: A proposal of marriage is accepted during Pride In London on July 7, 2018 in London, England. It is estimated over 1 million people will take to the streets and approximately 30,000 people and 472 organisations will join the annual parade, which is one of the world's biggest LGBT+ celebrations. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Pride In London) Tristan Fewings Getty Images for Pride In London

“The definition of ‘family’ put forward by the supporters of this referendum is frankly inaccurate; it only captures a very limited fraction of what family means to people in 2018.

“And it is also very out-of-step with reality and with the diversity of families being recognised by international human rights bodies and European courts.”

Barbora Cernusakova, Amnesty International’s researcher on Romania, said the constitutional amendment would represent a “backward step”.

How has the international community reacted?

Forty-seven members of the European Parliament have expressed their disapproval in a letter to Prime Minister Vlorica Dancila, warning the vote could “harm children” by promoting the message that “single-parent families, non-married partners with children, grandparents raising their grandchildren (or) rainbow families” don’t deserve recognition or protection.