Slovenia has become the first former communist eastern bloc country to legalize same-sex marriage, but the decision was far from democratic. Despite Slovenian citizens rejecting same-sex marriage in three separate national referendums, the country’s Constitutional Court went ahead and legalized such marriages as well as authorizing adoptions from same-sex couples.

On July 8, six judges voted to legalize same-sex marriages and adoptions, while three voted against. The majority argued that a ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional. According to Radio France, the ruling came after two gay couples filed complaints that they could not marry or adopt children.