The UK Ambassador to Romania Andrew Noble spoke to Universul.net on Monday about attitudes toward same-sex unions and a failed referendum on the definition of marriage.
He also spoke about the political courage needed to legalize same-sex marriage which he said a majority of young people supported.
Decriminalizing
Despite decriminalizing homosexuality 20 years ago, same-sex unions have no legal protection in the European Union state.
His comments came at the end of a day of tense negotiations when the City Hall relented and agreed to allow the August 14 Bucharest Pride march take place on a historical boulevard.
Uproar
Last week, there was an uproar among civic groups after authorities told organizers to use another route for the march. Organizers said it could be potentially dangerous due to traffic. They also accused the city hall of sidelining the event now in its 15th year.
How important is the Bucharest Pride this year, especially after proposed change to location?
Prestige
“I don’t think it’s a question of location, it’s fundamentally a question of importance and prestige. I think it is vastly important to have it on Calea Victoriei because it’s the ancient center of this city and it’s the place people care about most. It is also a place where people watching it can be part of the experience. On other streets that just doesn’t exist. So, I’m delighted that it’s going to be where it should be,” Ambassador Noble said.
You spoke earlier this evening about political courage. Is Romania going in the right direction? Will someone in Romania have the political courage?
Political courage
“I have confidence that someone will have political courage. In Romania there is reform in every bit of the country, in every dossier. I think the attitudes on LGBT questions are much freer than anyone assumed. I can remember in October 2018 ( a referendum on the definition of marriage) that people were fearful that the referendum would be passed and it wasn’t.
Mainstream
„I think the modernization of society and its attitudes has continued since then. More and more people are educated and work outside and they come back and Romania is becoming more and more mainstream. I am sure if you ask young people, there would be a majority tomorrow to legalize same-sex marriages and to legalize same-sex families.”
Generational attitudes
„Clearly there are generational attitudes as there are in all of our countries, but I think that with a younger brand of politician and a more reforming political system, I’d be astonished if the societal reforms did not follow on from that.”
It’s still going to take too long; it’s already taken too long. But I think it can happen quite quickly.”
Romanian authorities do about-face, allow Bucharest Pride march to take place in heart of city
