In 2018, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in favour of a Romanian man, Adrian Coman, who was seeking to have his marriage to his American husband Clai Hamilton recognised. They had married in 2010 in Belgium, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2003. European Union law permits a non-EU spouse of an EU citizen to join their spouse in the member state where the European national resides. However, Romanian authorities refused to issue a residence permit to Hamilton, saying he could not be recognised as Coman's spouse because Romanian law prohibits same-sex marriages. The couple filed suit, arguing that the refusal was discrimination based on sexual orientation, which is banned in Romania.