by Victoria Lupascu, reporter

A referendum will take place in Romania this weekend where the citizens will decide if they want to redefine marriage as only being between a man and a woman rather than “two spouses.”

“Do you agree with the change of the Romanian Constitution in the form adopted by the Parliament?” this is the question that millions of Romanians will have to answer on the 7th of October.

Many think that the referendum is just an excuse for the politicians to continue the corruption that has been taking place in Romania.

Teodora Ion-Rotaru, from the rights organisation Accept told The Guardian: “The idea is to distract public attention from corruption allegations, and they are doing it at the expense of the LGBT community.”

Ioana Ulmeanu, editor at ELLE Romania and activist said: “I believe that the Government wanted to change a lot of legal rules when it came to the referendum, it is clear for me that they tried to fraud it, many times.

“I think that a referendum that puts in danger a person’s human rights it is not democratic, a majority should never decide for the rights of a minority.”

People in Bucharest have expressed their discontent towards the referendum by protesting in Victory Square last weekend.

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Ioana Ulmeanu who was at the protest said: “This referendum made it ok for some people to address hate speech towards the LGBT community.”

She said she was there to show solidarity for those in the LGBT community who are overwhelmed with hate and manipulation launched by the church and political parties.

On the other side, those who agree with this referendum believe that the “traditional family” could be affected if same sex marriages are allowed.

Larisa Gherasim, a regional journalist from Romania said: “I think that once same sex marriages are legalised, their relationships will be seen as normal ones. I want to be able to explain my child these matters once I feel it is the right time.

“I do not believe that this referendum should be associated with any political party, some of these MPs will leave but the laws will be the same.”

The referendum has brought a lot of worry for those who are a part of the LGBT community.

Lorin Schonfeld, a member of the LGBT community said: “We were born gay and we will die gay. I want my partner to be my husband one day, and my country is supposed to allow me to do that.

“If not, I will leave, we will leave and so will others.”