The European Court of Justice on Tuesday opened a hearing on the recognition of same-sex marriages in European Union countries where they aren't legal. The 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, which is an EU member. However, representatives from Romania, Hungary, Poland and Latvia told the court Tuesday they don't want the term "spouse" to include same-sex unions. European Commission officials said same-sex marriages or civil partnerships are recognized or enjoy legal protection in 22 out of EU's 28 members.

Source: ABC News November 21, 2017 13:57 UTC