The ECJ found in the couple's favour on 5 June 2018, ruling that EU member states may choose whether or not to allow same-sex marriage, but they cannot obstruct the freedom of residence of an EU citizen and their spouse. Furthermore, the court ruled that the term "spouse" is gender-neutral, and that it does not necessarily imply a person of the opposite sex. Coman welcomed the ruling, saying: "We can now look in the eyes of any public official in Romania and across the EU with certainty that our relationship is equally valuable and equally relevant for the purpose of free movement within the EU." The ruling was well received by White & Case, the law firm which represented the couple, as well as the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) and other human rights groups, but drew criticism from religious and conservative groups. The Romanian Orthodox Church called the ruling "anti-democratic".