The Slovenian parliament allowed same-sex couples to marry and adopt children after a decision by the Constitutional Court. The country is the first in Eastern Europe to take such a step, Euronews reported.

The court's decision was motivated by the fact that the definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman discriminates against gays and lesbians.

The amendment to the family code was supported by 48 deputies, 29 were against, and one abstained.

In 2015, Slovenia held a referendum in which 63 percent of citizens spoke out against the legalization of same-sex marriage. The popular vote on the issue was achieved by a public organization for the protection of children, which opposed the government's decision to actually allow gay couples to register their relationship.