Dr Inġ. Patrick Attard: Library on Gay-Rights in Malta and Beyond

Times: Let Me Marry

2009-12-28T22:57:00.003+01:00

20.12.9

This article was published in Style on Sunday (Issue 05 - December 2009) - a quarterly high-end magazine distributed for free with The Sunday Times of Malta.

JOANNE CASSAR, who was banned from getting married following gender reassignment surgery, speaks to MIRIAM DALLI about her ordeal and her strong determination to never give up on her right to marry....

“I had everything, but it was all taken away from me.” This is Joanne Cassar's first painful reaction when asked about the recent Civil Court (First Hall) decision that banned her from marrying, even though she is now legally recognised as female.

I met Joanne at her hair salon in Fgura. The 28-year-old, who was born a male, is today a beautiful woman with a determined character and a sparkle in her eyes that esposes the ordeal that she is going through. Joanne is currently involved in a Costitutional Court Case in which she asked to be granted the right to marry. Joanne was legally declared a female at the age of 23, following gender reassignment surgery which she describes as extremely difficult and risky. She was informed that there was no guarantee that the operation would be successful and that she was potentially risking her health, her mobility and, terrifying, even her life.

“I was ready to run that risk,” Joanne explains resolutely. “I would have rather died as a woman than lived entrapped all my life in the body of a man. I felt abnormal. I was afraid to face people. They used to insult me and pick on me and I was always unhappy with myself.”

When thinking back on her surgery, Joanne emotionally recounts the suffering she endured until she successfully managed to save the ¢10,450 required to complete the surgery in the UK. “If I had had the money beforehand I would have done the surgery earlier,” she continues. “When I opened my eyes after it was done I felt free. Now I am truly a woman, the way I have always wanted myself to be.” Thankfully, the surgery was successful and following a painful recovery period Joanne filed a court application to have her gender officially changed to "female" on her birth certificate. The court upheld the request, allowing her documents, including her Identity Card to reflect who she felt she was - a woman.

Having a long term boyfriend who was always by her side, Joanne wanted to settle down and build a future with the man she loved. “I wanted to get married because I truly loved my boyfriend, and I believed that I had a right to marry, just like any other girl. I wanted to walk out of my mother¹s house, wearing a wedding gown and marry the man I loved, fulfilling my dream. Why was I to be different?”. However the road ahead was not easy. The Director of the Public Registry (DPR) refused to issue the marriage banns and Joanne had to file an application asking the Civil Court (Voluntary Jurisdiction) to order the issuing of the banns. In Febuary 2007, the Civil Court ordered the DPR to issue the marriage banns after noting that the union between her and her boyfriend did not contravene any provision of the marriage act.

“On 12 Febuary, my lawyers told me that the court had ordered the banns to be issued. It was the happiest day of my life! I could finally marry the man I loved and my right was recognised. However, I paid a very sour price for my happiness in the following days and weeks.” A few days later the DPR asked the court to revoke the previous judgement which permitted the marriage banns to be issued. Then, in May 2008, the Civil Court (First Hall) overturned the previous ruling and upheld the requests of the DPR. The Court declared that the change in Joanne¹s birth certificate, allowing a change of name and gender, was only intended to protect her right to privacy and to avoid embarrassment, and did not give her the right to be considered a woman for marriage purposes. The Court added that Joanne¹s marriage to a man would be in breach of the Marriage Act.

“From then onwards my life changed completely. Everything that I had painstakingly built over the years collapsed before my eyes. I lost my boyfriend because of all the stress we were going through and I ended up single. I was afraid of how people would look at me and whether they would ever accept me for who I am.”

Initially devasted by what happened, Joanne is today more resolute than ever to keep up the fight for her right to marry. Her family and friends, who have supported her all along, are all by her side. “I will never give up,” she says, “Even though, today, I am no longer in a relationship, I want what is mine by right. I was given a right to marry and then it was simply taken away from me. I cannot understand why. I am a Maltese citizen and I think I have legal rights, like everyone else. If the courts recognised me as a woman, I can't see why my legal rights have to be restricted.”

Defence lawyers Dr Josè Herrera and Dr David Camilleri are stating that if Joanne has been recognised by our Courts as a female, such recognition should apply unequivocally for all her legal rights and not be limited only for protection of privacy purposes. The law states that a person can “bring an action for an annotation regarding the particulars relating to sex which have been assigned to him or her in the act of birth”. It does not specify that such annotation can be requested only for the sake of protection and privacy.

Meanwhile Gabi Calleja from the Malta Gay Rights Movement stated that MGRM strongly supports Joanne¹s right to marry. “The Malta Gay Rights Movement expressed its outrage at the decision taken by the Civil Court (First Hall) which determined that a previous decision by the Courts ordering the issuing of marriage banns should be revoked,” she said.

Illum: L-isbaħ rigal għall-Milied għal Brenda u Doris

2009-12-28T22:39:00.000+01:00

http://www.illum.com.mt/2009/12/20/t14.html

20.12.9 minn Julia Farrugia

Imqartas sew fi ġlekk xitwi r-raġel jagħtik l-impressjoni ta’ raġel twajjeb li kull tifel jixtieq ikollu lilu bħala missier jew nannu. Għandu xi ħaġa fih li bħal donnha toffrilek wens. Forsi bla ma jaf jittrasmetti dak li ġarr miegħu għal bosta snin: il-professjoni tiegħu ta’ għalliem twajjeb.
Għandu 63 sena u għal 28 sena sħaħ ħadem ta’ għalliem f’suġġetti differenti, minn xjenza sa inġinerija u oħrajn.

“L-aktar ħaġa li tgħallimt minn dan il-każ kien li l-preġudizzji qiegħdin hemm għal xejn,” jistqarr Louis Cardona. “Il-preġudizzji ħlief inkwiet ma jaqilgħux. Brenda u Doris taw prova li jistgħu jgħixu f’armonija minkejja dak kollu li jista’ jgħid ħaddieħor.”
Brenda u Doris huma ż-żewġ persuni li din il-gazzetta laqqgħetkom magħhom fit-tieni ħarġa ta’ din il-gazzetta lura f’Novembru 2006.
Brenda, persuna transgender, wara ħafna snin taħbi l-emozzjonijiet tagħha u tgħix ta’ raġel, kixfet l-identità veru tagħha u bdiet tgħix ta’ mara. Iż-żwieġ kien b’saħħtu u f’każ deskritt minn ħafna bħala uniku, Doris, mart Brenda, għarfet tħaddan il-wegħda li għamlet fuq l-artal “sa mal-mewt tifridna”. Sal-lum twieżen lil Brenda f’kull pass li tagħmel.
Iżda l-problemi kienu ħafna. L-aktar marbuta ma’ impjieg hekk kif il-maġġoranza jew għalqulha l-bieb jew kellhom ilsien ħażin b’kummenti dispreġġattivi jew diskriminatorji.
Din is-sena fil-gazzetta Illum Brenda għamlet appell biex xi ħadd jagħtiha ċans taħdem biex tkun tista’ tgħix ħajja diċenti u taqla’ għajxien biex tkun tista’ tiekol hi u Doris u jkunu f’qagħda li jħallsu l-kontijiet dejjem jakkumulaw ta’ dawl u ilma. Illum wegħdet li titfa’ dawl fuq dik il-kumpanija li tieħu dan il-pass u l-ġest sabiħ li għamlet.
Dan hu r-rakkont …
Louis Cardona hu dak il-bniedem li għamel l-ewwel pass. Imma x’ġara eżatt u kif sar jaf bil-każ ta’ Brenda?
“Kien hemm persuna b’kariga għolja ħafna fil-politika li rrakkuntatli kif iltaqgħet mal-istorja ta’ Brenda u li baqgħet immarkata f’moħħha. Din il-persuna staqsietni jekk nistax insibilhom impjieg.
“Inzertajt kellna post għal żewġ impjiegi temporanji. Meta ltaqjt ma’ Brenda rajt quddiemi l-każ ta’ persuna li kellha bżonn l-għajnuna, kważi f’sitwazzjoni ddisprata. Għalija ma jimpurtanix is-sess ta’ persuna, jekk hux transgender jew le. Jien bniedem li dawn l-affarijiet ma jinkwetawni assolutament xejn,” jistqarr Cardona.
“Jien taf minn xiex inbati?” jistaqsini. “L-ipokrezija u nies għażżenin,” jgħidli bi tbissima minn taħt in-nuċċali.
“Meta ġew Doris u Brenda rajt quddiemi persuni intelliġenti, li għalkemm għandhom bżonn l-għajnuna, għandhom fihom il-qilla li jaħdmu u l-esperjenza għaliha. Li laqatni hu li Brenda u Doris huma żewġ persuni saqajhom mal-art u ma dehrux li jridu jieħdu vantaġġ mis-sitwazzjoni. Riedu biss jaħdmu. U x-xogħol jidhru li qed jaħdmuh bil-qalb.”
Nistaqsieh x’inhi l-aktar ħaġa li missitlu qalbu f’dan il-każ.
“Ftit wara li bdew jaħdmu magħna Brenda ġiet tgħidli grazzi. Qaltli li ġieli bilkemm kien ikollhom biex jixtru x’jieklu. Qaltli ‘illum l-ewwel darba li stajna nieklu normali u li stajna nibdew inħallsu l-kont tad-dawl’. Dak il-mument laqatni,” jgħid r-raġel.
Cardona jistqarr li l-akbar xewqa tiegħu hi li kieku jista’ joffri mpjieg dejjiemi għall-koppja.
“Nixtieq li kieku nista’ noffri mpjieg għal dejjem imma kif spjegajt lil Brenda u lil Doris dan hu xogħol li jkopri kampanja pubbliċitarja partikolari għal perjodu limitat u jista’ jispiċċa fi ftit jiem mal-kampanja. Kienet kampanja li ntroduċiet fis-suq lokali l-prodott M150, energy drink popolari ferm barra minn Malta,” jispjega r-raġel.
Qatt kien sema’ dwar każi ta’ persuni transgender?
“Qatt ma kont dħalt fid-dettal. Imma ġieli segwejt programmi u blogs fuq l-internet. Li kien idejjaqni l-mod kif ċerti persuni fis-soċjetà jkunu attakkati u jispiċċaw outcast. Bil-qdusija b’kollox ta’ dan il-pajjiż dawn l-affarijiet jeżistu. U ħażin.
“Nemmen li fid-dinja kulħadd hu ugwali. U kulħadd għandu jkollu ċ-ċans tiegħu li jiżviluppa u jimxi ’l quddiem basta ħadd ma jimponi fuq ħadd, u ħadd ma jdejjaq lil ħadd.”
U kif iħossu Cardona meta jisma’ l-kummenti sbieħ ta’ Brenda u l-mod kif hi tħares lejh?
“Tieħu gost. Sodisfazzjon li taf li stajt għamilt persuna kuntenta. Dan it-tip ta’ ferħ bl-ebda flus ma jista’ jitkejjel.”

______________

F’dawn l-aħħar xhur seħħet xi ħaġa importanti f’ħajtek — sibt xogħol? Kemm int ferħana u xi jfisser għalik li sibt impjieg?
Iva, seħħ ħafna f’ħajti, grazzi għall-kumpanija International Merchants Ltd u t-team tal-management kollu nista’ ngħid li erġajt bdejt ngħix! Sibt impjieg li permezz tiegħu qed ngħixu ħajja normali bħal ħaddieħor.
Barra minn hekk qed jimpjegaw miegħi lill-partner tiegħi ukoll. Qed nagħmlu xogħol li jlaqqagħna ma’ ħafna nies, nagħmlu l-ħbieb u fl-istess ħin inwassal messaġġ li jien persuna bħal kulħadd, xejn differenti.

Spjegali ftit, kif ġiet din l-opportunità?
Jiena, bħal ma taf int, kont ili niltaqa’ ma’ nies u nitkellem fuq is-sitwazzjoni tiegħi, jew aħjar tagħna. Fl-aħħar iltqajt ma’ persuna prominenti li aċċertatni li se tagħmel minn kollox biex tgħinni. U hekk ġara għax wara ftit taż-żmien irċevejt telefonata biex immur għal interview. Spiċċajna li kemm jien kif ukoll Doris il-partner tiegħi sibna mpjieg għax min ħaddimna kellu bżonn żewġ impjegati għall-istess xogħol. Bdejna naħdmu u għal qalbna ħafna.

X’inhu x-xogħol ġdid tiegħek?
Ix-xogħol ġdid tiegħi hu li nippromwovi l-prodotti tal-kumpanija. Bħalissa għandna kampanja għaddejja fuq energy drink u xogħli hu li mmexxih ’l quddiem flimkien ma’ prodotti oħra tal-kumpanija.

Kif laqgħek l-imgħallem il-ġdid tiegħek? U għalik u għal Doris xi jfisser dan il-bniedem ġdid f’ħajjitkom?
Mhux imgħallem għandna, imma missier. Veru jirrispettana u jaf x’toffri l-ħajja.
Vera napprezzaw dak kollu li għamel magħna – il-familja kollha tiegħu tirrispettana. Anke jien u nikteb dawn it-tweġibiet qabiżli d-dmugħ. Qed insir aktar emozzjonali. Nibki bil-ferħ għax fl-aħħar sibt lil min jifhimni.

Ghalik il-Milied se jkun differenti issa li għandkom xi ħaġa tal-flus dieħla?
Ovvjament li se jkollna Milied differenti. Xejn speċjali, taf, imma din is-sena pereżempju, armajna ftit id-dar, ħriġna l-Bambin u Doris minn kmieni bdiet tagħmel il-logs tal-Milied.
Din is-sena kemm id-dar kif ukoll aħna personali fina l-ispirtu tal-Milied li hu vera xi ħaġa tajba u tagħmilna ferħanin.

Tiddeskrivih bħala rigal sabiħ tal-Milied?
Iva. Għalina hu l-ikbar rigal tal-Milied li qatt qlajna f’dawn l-aħħar snin.

F’dan ix-xogħol ġdid, kif laqgħuk kollegi oħra? Il-kollegi tax-xogħol? Tal-ġenn! Jirrispettawna, jiċċajtaw magħna, jgħinuna u rispett kbir naraw minnhom. Ma nista’ ngħid xejn ħażin fuqhom, anzi! Nixtieq niltaqa’ ma’ nies bħalhom kull fejn immur għax kieku qatt ma jkolli problemi.

Ġieli kien hemm klijenti li m’aċċettawx is-sitwazzjoni tiegħek?
Le. Sa issa dejjem sibt klijenti li jaħdmu miegħi, anzi. Wara kollox jien immur inbiegħ prodott li hu tajjeb u bi prezz tajjeb ukoll. Fl-aħħar mill-aħħar ma jibqax klijent anzi nsiru ħbieb u jien nagħmel min kollox biex fejn nista’ naqdieh. Wara kollox jien jinteressani l-bejgħ tal-kumpanija. Tmur tajjeb il-kumpanija mmur tajba jien.
Issa tinsiex li jien kont fil-business qabel allura naf x’jiġifieri li jkollok negozju. Kemm jien kif ukoll Doris nippruvaw nagħmlu xogħolna sew bil-limiti tagħna wkoll. M’aħniex perfetti, però dejjem titgħallem tkun aħjar fil-ħajja.

Independent UK: Victory for gay rights in Mexico's Catholic stronghold

2009-12-28T22:10:00.001+01:00

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/victory-for-gay-rights-in-mexicos-catholic-stronghold-1848123.html

Legalisation of same-sex marriages in capital is a first for Latin America

By David Usborne

Wednesday, 23 December 2009

AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Gay people celebrate a law approving same-sex marriage in Mexico City this week

ENLARGE

Happy Christmas to all the Readers of this blog

2009-12-23T21:23:00.007+01:00

Hello All,

I would like to thank the regular readers of this website. http://patrickattard.blogspot.com has been created in February 2008 and now has now just over 900 articles and counting.

During this period over 24,000 people from 138 countries visited this website and their average stay was over 3 and a half minutes. I would like to thank you all for your loyalty and feedback.

Christmas is a time to be with our loved ones, family and closest friends, and this is what we aim for, to have our love respected by our fellow citizens and recognised by the State because there is nothing wrong in gay love and we don't harm anyone.

I want to live in a society where people of different beliefs can live side by side in harmony without one group spreading hatred against another. I don't think we're asking too much.

I hope you enjoy the video below with a nice message against homophobia.

Have a nice Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.

Dr Patrick Attard

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YouTube: Voeux de Noël 2009 - Sensitif

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOzLESxchz0

Sensitif présente ses voeux 2010 en relayant le message de KISS-IN contre l'homophobie (voir leur site http://kiss-in.blogspot.com pour plus d'info) ... ce montage est rythmé sur la chanson de Thomas Anders ...

with images of the Parisian KISS-IN event (Decembre 12th 2009) Sensitif and myself are wishing you all a merry Xmas and a happy kiss full 2010 ...

It-Torċa: Ittra miftuħa lill-Isqfijiet...

2009-12-22T22:14:00.002+01:00

http://www.it-torca.com/news.asp?newsitemid=8833
20.12.9
minn Midneb, Birkirkara

Għeżież Isqfijiet,

“Jien mhux lill-ġusti ġejt insejjaħ, iżda lill-midinbin għall-indiema.” (Lq 5, 32). Kliem Ġesù fis-sejħa tiegħU lil Levi (Mattew) biex ikun wieħed mit-tnax.

Qed nikteb din l-ittra miftuħa lill-Isqfijiet tagħna wara li fl-aħħar Ħadd ta’ Novembru smajt l-ittra pastorali tal-Avvent Imqaddes. Ħawditni mhux ħażin forsi għax fil-limitazzjoni tiegħi ma fhimtx l-ittra kollha jew xi partijiet minnha. Napprezza għaldaqstant li l-Isqfijiet jiċċaraw sew x’riedu jgħidu. Għax dak li kitbu la jirrifletti ittri pastorali li nkitbu fl-passat, partikolarment dawk bi tħejjija għall-Avvent u r-Randan, u lanqas jirrifletti dak li - nerġa’ ntenni fil-limitazzjonijiet tiegħi - fhimt li għallem u wettaq fil-prattika Ġesù.

L-ittra ħassejtha weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ dawk li spiċċaw vittma taċ-ċirkostanzi li jinsabu fihom. Weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ dawk li għandhom għatx għal Kristu iżda jħossuhom mitlufa. Jixtiequ jerġgħu lura iżda mhux faċli jsibu min verament jgħinhom jagħmlu dan biex jersqu mill-ġdid lejn il-Mulej Ġesù. Weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ persuni li ż-żwieġ tagħhom sfaxxa fix-xejn u llum - għax konvinti mill-fidi tagħhom - minkejja xewqathom, mhumiex lesti li jibnu relazzjoni ġdida għax finalment iż-żwieġ tagħhom għadu fis-seħħ.

Weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ bosta emarġinati li jixtiequ jerġgħu jiltaqgħu mal-Mulej iżda hu diffiċli għalihom. Weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ xi ħadd bħall-ambaxxatur Amerikan għal Malta li ma jħalluhx jitqarben. Weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ tant żgħażagħ li għax esprimew ruħhom inkwetati dwar il-multikulturaliżmu kienu ttimbrati u mgħajjrin razzisti minn xi membri tal-Kleru. Weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ dawk il-ġenituri fi stat ta’ koabitazzjoni imma jixtiequ jgħammdu lit-trabi tagħhhom. Weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ dawk is-single mothers li kien u insolentati fuq il-mezzi tax-xandir li tagħhom mhijiex familja. Weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ min spiċċa vittma ta’ abbużż minn saċerdoti iżda jibża’ jitkellem. Weġgħa fil-qalb ta’ persuni omosesswali.

Nemmen li l-Knisja hi konxja ta’ dawn il-persuni iżda madankollu l-Isqfijet ħarġu ittra selettiva bħal li kieku jridu joħolqu Knisja Puritana. Għaliex għażilt dan l-aġġettiv? Għax l-Isqfijiet, jew min kitbilhom l-ittra, jidher li għażlu hekk huma stess, l-aktar meta jikkwotaw lil Kristu li “ġie fid-dinja biex iġib il-firda.” Din il-kwotazzjoni saret barra mill-kuntest li fih tkellem ġesù. Skont it-tagħlim Kattoliku dan il-vers aktar kien ifisser iċ-ċaħdiet li jagħmel il-vokat biex jinfataħam mill-rabtiet familjari u l-ġid materjali ħalli jsegwi l-vokazzjoni tiegħu. żgur mela li l-iskop ta’ din l-iperbola letterarja fl-Evanġelu mhux biex issir xi selezzjoni tas-sikrana mill-qamħ. Din jagħmilha biss l-Imħallef fl-Aħħar Jum.

Ġesù lil dawn in-nies ma jwarrabhomx iżda Hu jiġri warajhom bħal meta qal lil Żakkew “isa, inżel minn hemm, għax illum jeħtieġli noqgħod għandek.” (Lq 19, 5). Anke l-fatt li jsejħilna b’isimna, kif għamel lil Żakkew, huwa sinjal ta’ ħbiberija għax Hu konvint mill-għatx li aħna għandna għaliH. Il-midneb huwa msejjaħ b’ismu biss minn dak biss li huwa konvint mill-ħniena li jista’ joffrilu. Ħadd ħlief Kristu.

Ġesù jurina li l-veru wiċċ tal-Missier hu dak li kif jara l-iben il-ħali ġej mill-bogħod jitlaq hu jiġri għalih u mhux joqgħod jistennieh jiġi. U mhux hekk biss, iżda jikkoreġi b’imħabba lill-iben il-kbir li tkaża b’aġir missieru. Dan Ġesù jagħmlu minħabba l-fariżej u s-saduċej li “igemgmu bejniethom u jgħidu li għand wieħed midneb daħal jistrieħ.” (Lq 19, 7). Ġesù, iżda, ma jagħtix kas “għax Bin il-Bnie-dem ġie jfittex u jsalva l-mit-luf.” (Lq 19, 10).

L-ittra pastorali fil-limitazzjoni tal-ħsieb tiegħi qiegħda tmur kontra dak li għallem u wettaq fil-prattika Ġesù. L-Isqfijiet bħal Ġesù jridu jsejħu lil Żakkewijiet biex jinżlu minn fuq is-siġra għax jeħtiġilhom joqogħdu għandhom, u mhux jindirizzaw biss b’mod speċjali lil dawk li jgemgmu bejniethom.

Eċċellenza, hijiex forsi din il-veru firda li jrid Ġesù? It-tkeċċija tad-dojoq li jilagħbuha ta’ qalbhom safja u mhux l-esklużjoni mill-Knisja tal-mi-dinbin u l-emarġinati. Iżda mhux hekk jidher li fehemuha dawk li kitbulkom il-pastorali. Dawn, bi skuża tal-pudur u r-rispett uman, bħallikieku jridu jkeċċu ’l barra mill-Knisja l-massa li qiegħda tħammril-hom wiċċhom. L-istess bħall-Ap-postli li stħaw mill-Im-għallem tagħhom għax qagħad ħdejn is-Sammaritana, għax kiel għand il-midinbin, għax issallab bejn żewġ kri-minali.

Kristu stess qal li għandu “nagħaġ oħra, li m’humiex minn dan il-maqjel; lilhom ukoll jeħtieġ li niġbor, u huma jisimgħu leħni, u jkun hemm merħla waħda, ragħaj wie-ħed.” (ġw 10,16).

Verament nittama li l-Isqfijiet isegwu l-parir ta’ saċerdot ieħor, Fr Joe Borg, li qal lill-Arċisqof Cremona biex il-ballun jieħdu f’saqajh. Jew inkella talanqas kunu kawti dwar min jiktbilkom l-ittri pastorali u ħallu f’idejn saċerdoti oħrajn bħal Fr Joe Borg biex jagħtuha l-aħħar titwila għax hu veru espert tal-midja u allura jaf kif għandu jitqiegħed id-diskors biex il-Knisja ma tkunx miżinterpre-tata bħalma ġralha meta ħarġet dokumenti oħrajn dan l-aħħar.

Ninsab ċert li l-iskop tagħkom, għeżież Isqfijiet, ma kienx li teskludu. Anzi bil-maqlub. Imma jiddispjaċini ngħid li hekk fehmuha ħafna nies li wara dil-pastorali ħarġu mill-knisja xxokkjati determinati li ma jersqu qatt aktar.

Times: Create bridges, not division

2009-12-22T22:03:00.002+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091220/letters/create-bridges-not-division

Sunday, 20th December 2009 by Carmen Caruana, LGBT Labour, Żurrieq

As a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) network, we would like to express our disappointment at the comments made by Imam Mohamed El Sadi, whereby he not-so-subtly compared homosexual relationships to those between animals and human beings, and blamed the LGBT community for all or most of the world's ills.

The Labour Party's LGBT network reiterates that it fully respects other people's religion, belief and opinion but it expects leaders and representatives of other religions in Malta do the same.

While discussing 'respect', we completely fail to understand how a rather vulnerable community that falls prey to discrimination in Malta should discriminate against another minority. We sincerely hope, for the good of both our country and diversity, that these comments will not be repeated in an open and democratic society such as Malta's, where the values of respect and tolerance are so important.

Consequently, we firmly believe that the Imam should issue an immediate apology to the LGBT community, their families and friends.

Although we consider these comments to be very strong, homophobic and out of place in a country such as ours, instead of creating division, we still wish to learn how to create bridges with people of good faith.

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]

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See also:

PRESS RELEASE: Call to the Imam to apologise to the Maltese Gay and Lesbian Community - AD and the PL LGBT Network should issue strong statements

Times: Introducing divorce: What's the hurry?

2009-12-22T21:52:00.001+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091222/letters/introducing-divorce-whats-the-hurry

Tuesday, 22nd December 2009 by Reuben Bonello, Rabat

A section of the press asked why is the Church against divorce when Jesus Christ was in favour?

Does the writer know that St Thomas Moore, who was a lawyer and chancellor of the king, had his head chopped off because he refused to accept divorce laws for the king of England.

The Leader of the Opposition wants a Bill to introduce divorce if the Nationalist Party gives a free vote to its members in Parliament, which I hope it will not.

After divorce, abortion and same-sex marriage might follow.

Faced as we are with budget problems, why so much hurry to introduce divorce? Has the Labour Party calculated how many millions of euros it will cost the Maltese taxpayer?
I appeal to Catholics to express themselves against this continuous pro-divorce brainwashing. Divorcees should not be given a Church funeral.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said that those who leave their wife and espouse another is guilty of adultery and if a women leaves her husband and espouses another, she will be guilty of adultery (MK10.11.12).

Those who are in favour of divorce go against the teachings of Christ.

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]

European Greens: EU Parliament condemns proposed death penalty for homosexuality in Uganda

2009-12-18T14:56:00.007+01:00

PRESS RELEASE - Strasbourg, 17 December 2009

The European Parliament has today adopted a resolution condemning a planned law in Uganda that would make homosexuality punishable by death and would impose prison terms of up to three years for any person who fails to report (within 24 hours) the identities of everyone they know who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

UK Green MEP Jean Lambert commented:

"I am profoundly shocked by the parliamentary bill in Uganda, which proposes to introduce the death penalty for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) and imprisonment for those who do not denounce others. The proposal in the Ugandan Parliament goes against the most fundamental principles of human rights and democracy. It is indefensible to threaten people's lives on grounds of who they are.

I welcome Parliament's condemnation of the proposed law and call for the EU to take a strong stance on worrying developments elsewhere. In Rwanda, amendments have been submitted to the penal code with a view to criminalise homosexuality as well as any activity of promotion and sensitisation on the issue."

Austrian Green MEP Ulrike Lunacek, Greens/EFA foreign affairs spokesperson and Co-President of the EP's LGBT Intergroup, commented:

"I am very pleased that the European Parliament has condemned Uganda's plan to introduce the death penalty on grounds of sexual orientation. The anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda is a legal assault against human dignity. It also stands in clear contradiction to international human rights provisions to which Uganda has signed up, including in the Cotonou Agreement with the EU.

I will use all my contacts to Uganda in order to prevent the bill from becoming law. Homosexuality is not "un-African" as some African leaders claim, but has been and will be a universal feature of human life. LGBT people need protection and acceptance, not hate legislation."

Chris Coakley
Press Officer
The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament
Tel: Brussels +32 2 2841667 / Strasbourg +33 3 88174375;

Mobile: +32-485-241622; Fax: 0032 2 2844944

---
Related articles:

PinkNews: Uganda will reportedly drop plans for the execution and life imprisonment of gays

PinkNews: Gordon Brown raises anti-gay laws with Ugandan president

MaltaToday: The unholy war [Gonzi vs Mintoff in the 1960's]

2009-12-18T01:53:00.008+01:00

Published in a collection of MaltaToday editions in September 2005
by Michaela Muscat

The notorious ‘interdett’ is part of a tragic episode in Maltese history when the island was split between the competing aspirations of the Malta Labour Party and the Catholic Church for the future of the island beyond colonialism.

[You can read the collection of articles here: http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2005/10/09/pix/interdett.pdf

Click here to read the pastoral letter issued by Mgr Gonzi against the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1972.]

L-Orizzont: Id-diskriminazzjoni f’Malta tibqa’ ma titrażżanx

2009-12-17T16:16:00.001+01:00

http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=58998

17.12.9 minn Ufficcju Informazzjoni u Media tal-GWU

Ftit ilu l-Ewrobarometru lesta studju li kien għamel bejn Mej ju u Ġunju li għaddew dwar id-diskriminazzjoni għas-sena 2009 fis-27 pajjiż tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Dan l-istudju wera, b’fomm il-Maltin stess li ġew in tervistati, li d-diskriminazzjoni għadha rampanti f’mill-inqas erba’ oqsma fejn matul iż-żmien ftit li xejn sar biex din is-sitwazzjoni tiġi rimedjata.

Skont dan ir-rapport, id-diskriminazzjoni f’pajjiżna għadha tinħass sew u taqbeż sostanzjalment il-medja tal-Unjoni Ewropea fir-rigward tal-oriġini etnika u l-orjentazzjonmi sesswali, filwaqt li d-diskriminazzjoni f’pajjiżna fir-rigward ta’ età, di żabilità u ugwaljanza bejn is-sessi, għalkemm għadha għolja xorta hija kemm kemm inqas mill-medja tal-Unjoni Ewropea.

Dak li rriżulta mill-istudju tal-Ew robarometru huwa ta’ min jixtarru għax għandu għal xiex iħasseb billi juri li l-isforzi li qegħdin isiru f’pajjiżna biex id-diskriminazzjoni f’kull forma titnaqqas għadhom mhux qegħdin jilħqu l-għanijiet tagħ hom kemm suppost.

F’pajjiżna ilna mhux ħażin nippriedkaw li l-opportunita jiet ikunu indaqs u l-istess għal kulħadd. Saħansitra għaddejna liġi u tajniha dan l-istess isem, iżda minkejja din il-liġi għadna ferm bogħod biex ngħidu li lħaqna dak li trid il-liġi. Għax għadna nisimgħu b’diversi każi fejn l-opportunitajiet mhumiex ikunu indaqs u aċċessibbli għal kulħadd l-istess.

Jekk insemmu s-sitwazzjoni tal-persuni b’diżabilità, li skont ir-rapport tal-Ewrobarometru d-dis kri minazzjoni f’dan il-qa sam tpoġġiet fir-raba’ post wara l-etniċità, l-orjentazzjoni sesswali u l-età, insibu li l-liġi dwar l-opportunitajiet indaqs qiegħda tiġi injorata kontinwament billi sidien ta’ postijiet tax-xogħol ma jħaddmux magħhom persuni b’diżabilità.

Jiġifieri anke f’dan il-qasam, mhux imbilli ngħaddu l-liġijiet u minn fuq noqogħdu niftaħru kemm qegħdin nieħdu ħsieb dawk bi bżonnijiet speċjali meta mbagħad bil-liġijiet u l-ftaħir kollu s-sitwazzjoni għal bosta persuni tibqa’ ma tinbidilx.

L-istess fis-suq tax-xogħol. Id-diskriminazzjoni mhux talli mhix tonqos iżda donnu jidher li qiegħda ssir aktar rampanti. Għax għad hawn sidien ta’ pos tijiet tax-xogħol li ma jiddejqu xejn jiddiskriminaw anke sa ħansitra dwar l-orjentazzjoni sess wali tal-individwu. Dan fih innifsu mhux biss jikkwalifika għal diskriminazzjoni imma agħar minn hekk, għat-tkasbir tad-drittijiet tal-bniedem.

Imbagħad hemm ukoll diskriminazzjoni ma taqta’ xejn ma’ ħaddiema, sew Maltin u anke barranin, li mhumiex organizzati fi trejdunjin. Dawn għadhom imċaħħdin minn kull protezzjoni soċjali u qegħdin jiġu sfruttati fil-kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol li mhumiex denji għad-dinjità tal-bniedem fis-seklu 21.

Ħafna drabi dawn il-ħaddiema jiġu anke mheddin bl-im pjieg tagħhom biex iżommu bogħod mit-trejdunjins. U dan qed jiġri anke minkejja li l-Kostituzzjoni Repubblikana ta’ paj jiżna, li nhar il-Ħadd li għadda ċċelebrajna l-35 anniversarju tagħ ha, tipproteġi l-prinċipju u d-dritt tal-libertà tal-assoċjazzjoni. Diskriminazzjoni agħar minn din ftit issib meta jitqies li l-kostituzzjoni hija suprema fil-protezzjoni tad-drittijiet fundamentali tal-bniedem.

Dawn huma ftit mill-każi fejn id-diskriminazzjoni hija eviden ti f’paj jiżna llum. Nittamaw li l-istħarriġ tal-Eurobarometer iser vi biex paj jiżna jixpruna lilu nnifsu u jiġġieled bis-serjetà l-ġlieda kontra d-dis kriminazzjo ni fil-forom kollha tagħ ha.

Jekk pajjiżna ma jagħmilx hekk se jibqa’ jkollna aktar nies diskri minati u sfruttati u allura nku nu qegħdin nidħqu bina nfusna meta ngħidu li f’Malta l-opportunitajiet huma ndaqs u l-istess għal kulħadd.

Se tiddaħħal id-Direttiva dwar is-Servizzi

Il-pajjiżi kollha tal-Unjoni Ew ropea jridu jimplimentaw sat-28 ta’ dan ix-xahar id-Diret tiva dwar is-Servizzi.

Skont il-Kummissjoni Ewropea, din id-di rettiva għandha trendi l-ħajja eħfef għan-negozji li jipprovdu jew jużaw servizzi fl-Unjoni Ewropea. Dan se jsir billi jitneħħew l-ostakli legali u amministrattivi li se jieħdu ħsieb biex l-aċċess għas-suq ikun aktar facli.

Id-Direttiva dwar is-Servizzi kienet adottata f’Diċembru tal-2006 wara l-kontroversja li kienet qajmet billi kienet tinklu di li x-xogħol portwali jkun jis ta’ jsir ukoll mill-ekwipaġġi tal-vapuri merkantili u mhux biss mill-ħaddiema tax-xatt.

Din id-direttiva, li dakinhar kie net aktar magħrufa bħala l-“Bolkenstein Directive” kienet thedded l-impjiegi tal-ħaddiema tax-xatt fil-portijiet Ewro pej, inkluż ta’ pajjiżna, u alla ħares ma kinux it-trejdunjins Ewropej, fosthom il-GWU, li mmexxijin mill-ETUC kienu rre żistew l-adozzjoni tad-Diret tiva.

Wara dan l-episodju, fejn il-Parlament Ewropew ma kienx approva d-Direttiva, saru attentati oħrajn minn interessi kummercjali biex idgħajfu s-saħħa tat-trejdunjins u taħt l-is kuża tal-kummerċ ħieles, ikun faċilitat l-isfruttament tal-ħaddiema.

Għalkemm, bix-xogħol tal-ETUC u l-ħidma tal-Gruppi tax-Xellug fil-Parlament Ewro pew twaqqfu dak li riedu n-negozjanti l-kbar, xorta waħda sabu lill-Qorti Ewropea tagħtihom palata bid-deċiżjonijiet tagħha f’diversi każi, fosthom il-każ klassiku tal-kumpanija minn Latvja, Laval li ħadet kuntratt ta’ xogħol fl-Isvezja. F’dan il-każ, il-Qorti Ewropea kienet iddeċidiet favur il-kumpanija u ċaħħdet lill-ħaddiema Latvjani mill-kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol tal-ħaddie ma Svediżi u allura wkoll mill-protezzjoni trejdunjonistika li jgawdu l-ħaddiema fl-Isvezja.

B’dik id-deċiżjoni tal-Qorti Ew ropea, kum paniji u kuntratturi ngħataw id-dritt li jagħ tu lill-ħaddiema tagħhom pagi u kundizzjonijiet tal-pajjiż minn fejn ikunu oriġinaw u mhux dawk tal-pajjiż fejn iku nu qegħdin jaħdmu.

Fi ftit kliem dan ifisser li jekk ħaddiema Maltin jintbagħ tu għal xi żmien jaħdmu f’xi pajjiż ieħor tal-Unjoni Ewropea, il-pagi u l-kundizzjonijiet li jkollhom dawn il-ħaddiema jkunu daqs li kieku baqgħu jaħdmu f’Malta u mhux il-pagi u l-kundizzjonijiet tal-ħaddiema tal-pajjiż li jkunu ntbagħtu jaħdmu fih. Dan ukoll jikkwa lifika għal sfruttament tal-ħaddiema.

Issa, bid-Direttiva tas-Ser vizzi li se tidħol fis-seħħ lejn l-aħħar ta’ din is-sena, kuntratturi barranin jieħdu kuntratti mingħajr irbit tar-regoli lokali u l-pagi u l-kundizzjonijiet iku nu determinati mill-kuntrattur.

Filwaqt li wieħed ma jistax jiċħad il-vantaġġi li d-Direttiva se toħloq biex tiffaċilita l-aċ ċess għal kumpaniji żgħar u daqs medju u għal kuntratturi biex jagħtu servizz f’pajjiż ieħor tal-Unjoni Ewropea, min-naħa l-oħra iżda d-Diretti va ma titkellem xejn dwar il-kun dizzjonijiet u l-protezzjoni tal-ħaddiema. U dan kollu f’isem it-twaqqiegħ tal-barrieri biex is-suq tas-servizzi jkun ħie les mill-irbit u x-xkiel buro kratiku.

Filwaqt li hu veru li hemm direttivi Ewropej oħrajn li jsos tnu l-protezzjoni tal-ħaddiema, b’danakollu, id-de ċiż jo ni jiet tal-Qorti Ewropea ħol qu preċedenti li faċli jkunu ap pli kati minn interessi u negozji u l-vittma jibqa’ jkun dejjem il-ħaddiem.

[Peter] Tatchell stands down as Green candidate

2009-12-16T16:01:00.001+01:00

Brain injuries from Mugabe and Moscow bashings thwart bid to be Oxford East MP

http://www.petertatchell.net/politics/tatchell-stands-down-as-green-candidate.html
London – 16 December 2009

“It is with great regret and reluctance that I am standing down as the Green Party parliamentary candidate for Oxford East. My brain injuries from the Mugabe and Moscow bashings mean that I would not be able to campaign effectively in the general election or do the duties required of an MP, if I was elected,” human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell announced today.

“It would not be right for me to seek election if I could not do the job of an MP to the high standards that I want and that Oxford East voters have a right to expect.

“If I was elected, I could manage the parliamentary duties or the constituency work. But my health is not strong enough for me to do both.

“This is huge disappointment and frustration. Oxford East is a target Green seat. In the county elections in June, the Greens were neck-and-neck with the Liberal Democrats as the main challenger to Labour. The European elections saw the Greens win in Oxford East, well ahead of Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories.

“The brain damage caused by Mugabe’s thugs in Brussels in 2001 and by neo-Nazis in Moscow in 2007 has been compounded by head injuries in an accident while I was campaigning in Devon in July. A bus on which I was travelling swerved and braked sharply. I was thrown forward, hitting my head on a metal handrail.

“The injuries don’t stop me from campaigning but I am slower, make more mistakes, get tired easily and take longer to do things. My memory, concentation, balance and coordination have been adversley affected. I can’t campaign at the pace I used to.

“I was selected as the Green Party candidate for Oxford East in April 2007. A month later, I was badly beaten around the head by neo-Nazis during an attempted Gay Pride parade in Moscow.

See here: http://www.petertatchell.net/international/moscowgayarrests.htm

“This exacerbated the brain damage caused when I was bashed unconscious by President Mugabe’s bodyguards in Brussels in 2001, after attempting to make a citizen’s arrest of the Zimbabwean leader on charges of torture.

See here: http://www.petertatchell.net/international/mugabearrest.htm

“Following the Moscow assault, I never rested and recuperated. I carried on campaigning, with a very heavy schedule of commitments in Oxford East. After several months, I was severely exhausted. This stress and exhaustion probably intensified the damage and thwarted my recovery.

“I have postponed making this announcement for several months, in the hope that I might get better and be able to carry on as the Green candidate. Unfortunately, my condition has not improved. If anything, it is worse.

“There is, however, a glimmer of hope for the future. The medical advice is that if I slow down and reduce my workload my condition may improve in a year or so. On the downside, I am unlikely to ever recover fully. Some of the damage is probably permanent.

“I don’t regret a thing. Getting a thrashing and brain injuries was not what I had expected or wanted. But I was aware of the risks. Taking risks is sometimes necessary, in order to challenge injustice. My beatings had the positive effect of helping draw international attention to the violent, repressive nature of the Russian and Zimbabwean regimes. I’m glad of that.

“My physical inconveniences are nothing by comparison to the far worse beatings inflicted on human rights defenders in countries like Russia, Iran, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Columbia, Sudan and Burma. These heroic activists often end up jailed or dead. I count myself lucky.

“The Oxford Green Party expects to select a new parliamentary candidate in January. That person will have my wholehearted support. I intend to campaign with them during the general election.

“I would like to thank members of Oxford Green Party for their immense kindness, support, and generosity during my two and a half years as their candidate. It has been a pleasure working with the Oxford Greens and I wish them future success,” said Mr Tatchell.

YouTube: Jack & Bobby - Lost Boys

2009-12-15T17:30:00.000+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24GmMzhqfgQ

Episode clips from the highly praised "Lost Boys" episode of the critically acclaimed-but-cancelled series "Jack & Bobby". This episode won a GLAAD media award.

YouTube: Malta Gay Rights Movement [Interview on Human Rights Day]

2009-12-14T03:39:00.001+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bllrFhjyM2Q

On Human Rights Day 2009.
A descriptive interview of the activities of The Malta Gay Rights Movement
http://www.maltagayrights.net/

DOI: 61st Anninversar of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: ‘Embrace Diversity, End Discrimination’

2009-12-12T16:19:00.002+01:00

Department of Information, Malta, Press Release Number 2134.

Today, the 10th of December the World is commemorating the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The Declaration adopted 61 years ago affirmed the universal validity of human rights for the very first time. The focus of this year’s anniversary is Non-discrimination.

Commemorating this declaration, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tonio Borg issued the following statement:

"Human rights are one of the most precious assets of human civilization. The adoption of the Universal Declaration in 1948 was a signal of hope – hope for a world which lay in ruins following the Second World War. But even today, unfortunately human rights are an unfulfilled promise for many people. Our most difficult task is not to declare yet again how good and important human rights are. What counts are concrete endeavours to close the gap between aspiration and reality in implementing human rights.

This year’s focus on non-discrimination should help politicians and policy-makers to further question the policies adopted by their countries, and ask if these are truly helping to eradicate discrimination, not only in their respective countries but also internationally.

Politicians are obliged to act in order to stop discrimination. We should all work to build a more inclusive society. Discrimination is still rampant in many third world countries, but one should not only look to these countries and stop there. We should always be aware that although in developed countries, laws and rules do exist to combat discrimination; reality sometimes does not always prove to be a correct one. Sometimes discrimination is silent, we might not be aware of it, because those who are suffering do so in silence, and loneliness.

Here I wish to quote the message by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon for this year’s anniversary: “Discrimination targets individuals and groups that are vulnerable to attack: the disabled, women and girls, the poor, migrants, minorities, and all those who are perceived as different.... But these victims of discrimination are not alone. The United Nations is standing with them, committed to defending the rights of all, and particularly the most vulnerable. That is our identity and our mission.”

The Government of Malta is committed to continue combating discrimination. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already helping out third world countries through its Overseas Development Aid. The Ministry’s commitment for this year will help 9 local NGO’s and philanthropic institutions to deliver projects in third world countries, that will help not only to combat poverty, but also help fight discrimination.”

DOI – 10.12.2009

PinkNews: Uganda will reportedly drop plans for the execution and life imprisonment of gays.

2009-12-10T21:06:00.002+01:00

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/10/uganda-to-remove-death-penalty-from-anti-gay-bill/

10.12.9 by Jessica Geen

An 'anti-homosexuality' bill has been passing through the country's parliament but according to news agency Bloomberg, some of the most drastic measures will be removed.

The bill provoked worldwide outrage when it was first tabled. America, the UK and France all expressed concern, as did countless human rights and gay organisations.

Gay rights groups have urged Commonwealth leaders to throw Uganda out of the Commonwealth unless it drops the proposed law.

The minister for ethics and integrity, James Nsaba Buturo, reportedly said a more "refined" set of punishments would be favoured instead of execution.

Although it is not clear what this means, he pointed to so-called 'gay cure' therapies, saying the bill would promote counselling for gay people.

Buturo said the modified draft bill would come before parliament within two weeks.

If the provisions for execution and life imprisonment are dropped, the bill still places severe penalties on gay people, their families and those who work for gay organisations.

Other offences include promoting homosexuality, aiding and abetting homosexuality and keeping a house "for purposes of homosexuality".

Some have suggested the bill is so badly written, it could threaten two men who hug with jail terms.

The MP who tabled the bill, David Bahati, has argued his bill will protect children, youths and the "traditional family".

The reported concessions come days after a Swedish minister suggested that aid funds to Uganda could be cut if it persevered with the proposed laws.

Buturo retorted: "It is revealing that support to Uganda literally translated means that it is on condition that Uganda should do the bidding of givers of such support regardless of what Ugandans themselves think."

PinkNews: Austria's parliament legalises civil unions

2009-12-10T21:04:00.000+01:00

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/10/austrias-parliament-legalises-civil-unions/#

10.12.9

Austria's parliament has approved legalising civil unions in the country.

Out of 174 lawmakers present, 110 voted in favour and 64 voted against, Associated Press reports.

The law is due to come into force on January 1st. It will provide gay couples with some of the rights and benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples.

However, it reiterates the ban on gay couples adopting children or using IVF and artificial insemination.

Instead, benefits granted include rights to social security claims, inheritance and court trials.

Gay couples will not be able to hold their ceremonies at civil registry offices, as heterosexual couples do. Instead, they will have to register at the municipal office or the magistrate's office.

YouTube: Gay Education

2009-12-10T17:36:00.000+01:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PooEhBxh0NY

Daily Mail: All homosexuals should be stoned to death, says Muslim preacher of hate

2009-12-09T16:26:00.005+01:00

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1163510/All-homosexuals-stoned-death-says-Muslim-preacher-hate.html

By SAM GREENHILL
Last updated at 12:34 AM on 21st March 2009

Comments (33)

All homosexuals should face stoning to death, a Muslim preacher of hate declared yesterday.

Anjem Choudary, the firebrand cleric who wants to see Britain ruled by Sharia law, said such a regime was the only way to fix the country's ills.

Under it, adulterers and homosexuals would be killed by stoning. Asked if that would include anybody - even a Cabinet minister such as Business Secretary Lord Mandelson - Choudary responded with an astonishing diatribe.

Enlarge

Hate, hate and more hate: Anjem Choudary (centre), flanked by two cohorts, prepares to give a press conference on Friday in which he says homosexuals should be stoned to death

He said: 'If a man likes another man, it can happen, but if you go on to fulfil your desire, if it is proved, then there is a punishment to follow. You don't stone to death unless there are four eyewitnesses. It is a very stringent procedure.

'There are some people who are attracted to donkeys but that does not mean it is right.'

Choudary was speaking at a press conference in London arranged by Muslim extremists to justify their protest in Luton last week against soldiers returning home from Iraq.

His incendiary remarks immediately prompted calls for him to be investigated by police. Tory MP Patrick Mercer said: 'These statements show the depravity of this man's beliefs. They must incite hatred and encourage terrorism, and I would encourage the Metropolitan Police to investigate them as rigorously as possible.'

The Rev Sharon Ferguson, chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said: 'This is appalling. The police should look very closely at what has been said to see if there is any action they should be taking.'

Contempt: Muslim protesters hurl insults at the homecoming parade of British soldiers in Luton

Police were not at the press conference but a Scotland Yard spokesman said officers would investigate if a complaint was made.

Only last week, Choudary, a self-styled 'judge of the Sharia Court of the UK', was defending the shameful protests against soldiers parading through Luton after a tour of duty in Iraq.

Yet a week ago, the Daily Mail exposed fundamentalist Choudary's student days when he was pictured swigging beer, cavorting with women and puffing on a cannabis joint - offences for which he would be lashed and stoned under his version of Sharia law. Yesterday he sheepishly confessed:

'Yes, I was not always practising Islam. Certainly in my student days I was not a practising Muslim.'

Wake-up call: Omar Bakri has warned of another 7/7-style attack

Yesterday Choudary, 42, was flanked by two fellow firebrands at the press conference at the Express by Holiday Inn Hotel in Chingford, East London.

It started with warning from fellow hate cleric Omar Bakri, who warned that Britons should 'wake up before it is too late' or suffer another 7/7 terror attack.

The preacher threatened that ordinary Muslims living here would rise up and retaliate for the 'evil' acts of British soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bakri, banned from Britain four years ago, broadcast his threats from his Lebanon bolthole over a speakerphone.

In London, sitting alongside Choudary was Ishtiaq Alamgir, another ringleader of the Luton protests, who accused British soldiers of torture, rape and murder. He said: 'Those British soldiers have blood on their hands.'

A third firebrand, Abu Abdullah, 30, branded the British Government 'tyrannical' and warned: 'Do not relax, do not recline, or you will be touched by the fire of hell.'

Times: Ask your MEP - The principle of non-discrimination

2009-12-09T16:18:00.002+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091209/opinion/the-principle-of-non-discrimination

Wednesday, 9th December 2009 by Simon Busuttil

The Times recently gave prominent coverage to a proposal submitted in the European Parliament to recognise same-sex marriages. The proposal was eventually replaced by an amendment I tabled. But, understandably, it created a great deal of controversy - both in Malta and elsewhere in Europe - and it calls for a clear explanation of what exactly took place in Strasbourg last month.

First of all, the context.

Parliament was voting on a resolution relating to the so-called Stockholm Programme, which is the European Union's road map for the establishment of an area of freedom, justice and security.

The programme covers a vast range of issues spanning from civil liberties to terrorism and from immigration to visa-free travel. In all these areas, the European Parliament is now fully involved as a co-legislator.

But because it also covers civil liberties, the resolution became embroiled in a controversy over one single paragraph - out of about 150 - that called for the recognition of same-sex marriages contracted in other EU countries. This paragraph, pushed by the Liberal group, called on "Member states to ensure that the principle of mutual recognition is also applied to same-sex couples in the EU - notably married couples, partners or de facto couples - at least in relation to rights relating to freedom of movement".

The issue of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation is not new to the European Parliament.

My position and that of my political group, the EPP, is that we uphold the principle of non-discrimination, including on the basis of sexual discrimination, which is already part of EU law. We are, therefore, committed to co-operate to combat discrimination and to strive towards a more inclusive society, including the gay community.

A number of countries, including Malta, are even preparing to legislate in order to afford a set of rights and obligations to cohabiting couples, including same-sex couples. They are free to do so.

However, we do not favour same-sex marriage and, therefore, we do not support the obligation to recognise same-sex marriages contracted in other EU countries.

We consider that countries are and should remain free to decide for themselves whether they want to legalise such marriages and, indeed, this matter is not within the EU competence. Nor should it be.

Likewise, we consider that member states should not be required to recognise same-sex marriages contracted in other EU countries. So far, just four EU countries have legalised such marriages, namely, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Spain. Others may follow suit. But it should be up to them to do so not the EU.

This is why our group opposed the insertion of this paragraph in the final resolution on the Stockholm Programme and this reference, if included, would have precluded us from supporting the final resolution.

But unlike us, many other groups in the European Parliament do favour such an approach - especially the principle of mutual recognition of same-sex marriages - and that is why the issue is deeply divisive.

Ahead of last month's plenary session, intense negotiations were undertaken to try and find a way out of this impasse. It was not easy.

As the EPP spokesman on this area, I was in charge of negotiations on this issue and I approached other groups in order to find a compromise that a majority could live with.

I proposed that the principle of mutual recognition should be applied only in the case of countries that have already legalised same-sex marriages. In other words, if a same-sex couple gets married in Belgium, their marriage should be recognised in, say, the Netherlands or Spain where such marriages are already legal, but not in, say, Italy or Malta, where they are not. This proposal was not accepted by the Liberals because they felt it did not go far enough.

In the event, an alternative compromise was found with the Socialist group on another wording which stated that "without prejudice to national legislations on family law", EU countries should "ensure freedom of movement to EU citizens and their families, including registered partnerships and marriages, according to articles 2 and 3 of Directive 2004/38/EC, avoiding all kinds of discriminations on all ground including sexual orientation".

This compromise wording had the benefit of recognising the principle of non-discrimination on all grounds.

But at the same time it preserved the right of individual countries to decide for themselves on issues relating to family law. It also removed any reference to mutual recognition.

This means that EU citizens who have entered into a same-sex marriage can benefit from freedom of movement within the EU - like all other EU citizens - but this would not entail a recognition of their married status in other EU countries.

It's a fine balance and, as is often the case, when you strive to reach a compromise you do not make everyone happy. But it was a reasonable compromise and that is why it obtained the support of a strong majority.

The compromise replaced the original paragraph that we opposed and, therefore, enabled my group to support the entire resolution on the Stockholm Programme, which reflects political priorities that our group holds close to heart, such as the all-important policy of combating illegal immigration and of ensuring an effective solidarity in the area of asylum.

The issue of non-discrimination will not stop here. It will come again.

But this episode teaches us that this is not a zero-sum game and that there are parameters that need to be respected. The principle of subsidiarity, allowing individual countries to decide for themselves on such sensitive matters, is one of them.

Dr Busuttil is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament. [www.simonbusuttil.eu]

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]

---

See also:

Simon Busuttil: [Against] Recognition of same-sex marriages

Times: MEPs undo same-sex marriage proposal; Reason prevailed, compromise found - Busuttil

EU: Il-programm ta' Stokkolma: L-MEPs iridu iktar drittijiet għaċ-ċittadini

Times: Christian understanding of God [regarding Imam's comments]

2009-12-09T16:14:00.003+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091207/letters/christian-understanding-of-god

Monday, 7th December 2009 by Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap, San Ġwann

God is a controversial subject as much as it is intriguing. Both believers and non-believers have their own views about God. The tones of the discussion might differ according to the diverging ideas presented for argumentation.

Nevertheless, there are some concepts which, by their very nature, are unacceptable to endorse. For instance, I find it pretty horrible to accept a God who is portrayed as a ruthless judge and knows no mercy in the way he exercises his judgment. How can a God who chops off the hands of thieves and carries out capital punishment on those who are engaged in same-sex marriages, homosexuality, adultery and abortion can ever qualify to be merciful? Additionally, it is very worrying to hear that such a God is so cool and tranquil to end a human person's life much on the same lines as an enraged master would kill a disobedient servant.

Personally speaking, the Christian understanding of God tends to solicit in me more faith and trust in Him. The reason that compels me to hold such a view is neatly expressed by what Jesus said to Nicodemus: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him" (Jn 3, 16-17).

In Pope Benedict XVI's words in his encyclical letter Deus Caritas Est, "faith tells us that God has given his Son for our sakes and gives us the victorious certainty that it is really true: God is love!" (§ 39). Only an omnipotent God can send His Son into this world to die for fallen humanity.

God's omnipotence is powerfully shown in Jesus' incarnation, self-oblation on the cross and His glorious resurrection. The Christian God is mighty not because He is violent and bloodthirsty but because He is merciful. As the Son of God, Jesus unveiled the merciful face of God the Father to us. Hence, Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical which treats God's mercy, Dives In Misericordia, says: "Making the Father present as love and mercy is, in Christ's own consciousness, the fundamental touchstone of His mission as the Messiah" (§ 3).

The Christian God is a loving God specifically because He is a merciful God. This is so since, for Christianity, "mercy is an indispensable dimension of love; it is as it were love's second name and, at the same time, the specific manner in which love is revealed and effected vis-a-vis the reality of the evil that is in the world, affecting and besieging man, insinuating itself even into his heart and capable of causing him to 'perish in Gehenna'" (§ 7).

The sympathisers of a violent God may fear that non-violence denudes God from his justice. According to Christianity though, the opposite is true. A God, who is just, must necessarily be merciful. Think, for instance, of the parable of the Prodigal Son. The father had every right to punish his son for being a wayward. Instead, he said to his servants: "Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry, for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found" (Lk 15, 22-24).

Such a merciful response of God's gratuitous mercy to obstinate human beings highly impels the latter to show mercy in their dealings with one another. "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful" (Lk 6, 36). Within the social context of everyday life, this would imply that "true mercy is, so to speak, the most profound source of justice. If justice is in itself suitable for 'arbitration' between people concerning the reciprocal distribution of objective goods in an equitable manner, love and only love (including that kindly love that we call 'mercy') is capable of restoring man to himself" (§ 14).

The awesomeness of the Christian God shines in the fact that He does not make victims of His justice but He is himself becomes the victim of love on the cross. The Christian God is not revengeful or a puppet of his murderous wrath but an ever-forgiving God. When he was dying on the cross, the Son of God prayed and forgave his executioners. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Lk 23, 34).

In being merciful and forgiving, the Christian God is just and omnipotent. "How great is the mercy of the Lord and his forgiveness for those who turn to Him!" (Sir 17, 29).

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]

Kotba Maltin: Homosexuality: Challenging the Stigma (Paperback)

2009-12-07T13:05:00.005+01:00

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Homosexuality-Challenging-Stigma-Paul-Bartolo/dp/9993262242

Out of the depths of a nation that is traditionally rooted in religion and patriarchy, emerges a book that raises awareness of the plight of the Queer (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered) community in Malta. Homosexuality: Challenging the Stigma by Bartolo and Borg (2003) examines the life of the Maltese Homosexual, contextualized against modern Western theories, discoveries and trends, in hopes of identifying the experiences and life of the Maltese Queer, and its similarities and differences from European counterparts. This review aims to critically analyze these contents and extend further notions of development that could contribute to future directions, discoveries and assertions. The author breaks these down into three components: compromising insider/outsider status in Maltese Queerness, the essential role of women and reconciliation efforts to the apparent oppressions described in the book. As a gay Maltese-Canadian educator/researcher, the author knows that writing about Queer struggles, challenges and livelihoods can be a complex task. Often there are many types of pressures that contribute to "boxing" the homosexual, into capitalist-based identity groups that determines right/wrong. This renders him/her without options and surviving through essential living to hide/hiding to live strategies. At times, it takes the heterosexual to defend/speak for/raise awareness of Queer issues. This books works well in this regard, as well as providing a concise historical overview of homosexuality. However, the identity of the authors asserts an insider/outsider binary that can be seen as positive step (heterosexual researchers speaking out in solidarity), yet could also disengage the audience (heterosexual researchers unknown of the lived experiences of Queers). "Coming out" does not simply mean telling the family, "I'm gay." It has transcended boundaries of sexual identity, and can now refer to revealing one's self in order to contextualize the insider/outsider status. While reading from heterosexual authors about Queerness does hold some value, Queer people needs to know their background so that they can relate to the author on a personal and/or professional level. There are elements of the being Queer, which are similar to being black, disabled, a woman, poor and young, that need the personal connection that only a fellow Queer person can speak to. It is important to encourage more Queer people to speak out of their experiences, so that these unspoken elements can become agents of change. For example, in rural Canada, where homophobia is still a social disease, a conference on Queer Issues in Education (University of Saskatchewan) uses recorded voices to share these stories. In liberal Brighton, United Kingdom, gay men still explore their identity through masks and storytelling. Speaking out does not mean coming out. Rather, it is coming out, through different powerful methods, that produces speaking out against existing structures that continue to promote the "heterosexual is normal/homosexual is evil" discourse. This question is similar to other marginalized people, especially women. In the book, Homosexuality: Challenging the Stigma, the voice of women, in particular Maltese Lesbians, are undernourished. While this is common for most cultures where patriarchy remains dominant, lessons learned from other Queer communities remark that the Lesbian community needs to be included in everything, or risk separation from the Gay male/Bisexual communities. Now, in certain circles, Lesbians do not welcome "outsiders" and maintains a "Lesbian Only" club. Since this book does not carry much on Lesbian literature/poetry/narratives, or many female authors, this book risks falling into the Gay male domain, despite its inclusive aim. The Lesbian community needs to be integrated into the Maltese Queer movement/ideology to ensure an equal representative change and a definitive force of solidarity. Solidarity can be an act/belief/thought that aims to liberate/develop another person or another person's community to promote social justice for all. For example, the author highlight the plight of women and racial minorities, appreciating their struggle as oppressed people. Acting out of solidarity is not an expression of pity, but out of a common interest achieve a fair and just world. This book carries research and stories that are written out of solidarity for Queer people, and it presents itself well in this regard. Solidarity, in Peace Education, is viewed as a bridge for reconciliation and social healing. Queers feel rage, just as another marginalized group of people, towards their oppressors (non-Queer people) over actions/beliefs that promote intolerance and social isolation. However, acting/believing out of solidarity re-shapes the homo-hetero relationship in order to establish a more positive and constructive force to confront dominating and controlling structures. Solidarity could shape itself out of community conferences (such as the one that lead to the publication of this book), policy changes, support groups, and training on Queer issues. However, Queer citizens must be at the forefront, and in control at the whole time, or else the cycle of dominance continues. Further editions could explore the outcome of these initiatives, and inclusive of more Maltese Queer (including transgendered) experiences and expressions. This book puts the Maltese Queer on the right path, and hopefully, it will be Queer citizens themselves that will continue to steer the future directions of peace building, equality and mutual respect.

P. Attard's Note:

This also book contains a paper by Rev. Dr Renè Camilleri:

"Creating Identities: Beyond the Hermeneutic of Suspicion", published in: Homosexuality. Challenging the Stigma (Edd. Paul A. Bartolo & Mark G. Borg), Malta: Interprint Ltd 2003.

Times: National sexual health policy

2009-12-06T15:36:00.003+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091206/letters/national-sexual-health-policy

Sunday, 6th December 2009 by Kevin Papagiorcopulo, Communications officer, Archdiocese of Malta, Floriana

With regard to the report 'Malta burying head in sand on sexual health' (The Sunday Times, November 29), I would like to make the following comments.

At just 24 hours' notice, WHO adviser John Richens asked to meet the Archbishop for a private visit. Time was made in the Archbishop's tight schedule for a 30-minute meeting at 7.45 a.m. Dr Richens was accompanied by an official from the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department.

During the conversation, the Archbishop asked Dr Richens regarding a sexual activity questionnaire given to schoolchildren: "Does the Catholic Church, and for that matter, any other organisation, have a right to its own ethos when educating children of parents who freely opt to send their children to Catholic schools?"

The Church and Health Department representatives have reached an agreement about this questionnaire.

As regards 'prevention' campaigns, the Archbishop asked Dr Richens about results of similar campaigns that have already been carried out in other countries. Referring to results in the UK, Dr Richens said the campaign had not been successful and that both sexually-transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancies were on the increase.

Dr Richens mentioned the Netherlands as an example where the campaign was deemed successful with regard to teenage pregnancies.

Actual percentages were not mentioned, but the Archbishop asked whether teenage abortions were also taken into account when presenting percentages on teenage pregnancies. Dr Richens promised he would send information on this issue.

The Archbishop said that the Church has been, and would continue, providing support to alleviate this problem through its teachings, and by campaigning against promiscuity and in favour of marital faithfulness and a holistic commitment in sexual relationships.

The Archbishop mentioned that, unfortunately, youngsters have to try to implement these values despite being continuously bombarded by completely different ideas and messages on sexuality and sexual activity.

The Archbishop apologised for the shortness of the meeting and told Dr Richens he would be only too glad to meet for another, longer meeting when Dr Richens was back on the island.

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]

Telegraph: Gays and transsexuals 'will never go to Heaven', cardinal says

2009-12-03T14:27:00.002+01:00

The Roman Catholic Church still regards homosexuality as an “insult to God” and homosexuals and transsexuals will never go to Heaven, a leading cardinal said on Wednesday, prompting a rebuke from the Vatican.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/6711601/Gays--and-transsexuals-will-never-go-to-Heaven-cardinal-says.html

03 Dec 2009 By Nick Squires in Perugia

"Transsexuals and homosexuals will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven and it is not me who says this, but Saint Paul," said Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, 76.

In remarks which outraged gay rights groups, he claimed that people were not born gay, but chose to embrace homosexuality of their own free will.

"People are not born homosexual, they become homosexual, for different reasons: education issues or because they did not develop their own identity during adolescence.

"Perhaps they aren't guilty but by acting against the dignity of the body they will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven," said Cardinal Barragan, who recently retired as head of the Vatican's Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers but still holds influential positions on several Church committees.

He quoted a passage from Paul's epistle to the Romans which speaks of "men committing indecent acts with other men".

"Homosexuality is therefore a sin, but this does not justify any form of discrimination. God alone has the right to judge," the cardinal said. "We on earth cannot condemn, and as human beings we all have the same rights."

But the Vatican distanced itself from the cardinal's comments in a statement that was highly unusual because it indirectly criticised a top Church official.

Father Federico Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman, said theconservative website on which the cardinal made his comments should not be considered an authority on Catholic thinking “on complex and delicate issues such as homosexuality”.

Father Lombardi quoted from the official Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church, which says homosexual acts are a “disorder” but acknowledges that many people have “innate homosexual tendencies” and should be treated with respect and not be subject to discrimination.

The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual acts are sinful but homosexuality in itself is not.

An Italian gay rights group, Arcigay, condemned his comments and put out a statement in which it said: "It's true, we won't ever get into your heaven, which is a murky and unjust place".

It said the cardinal's remarks risked legitimising anti-gay discrimination and even violence. There has been a spate of attacks against gay men in Italy in recent months, from Rome to Milan.

Times: AIDS vigil

2009-12-02T21:58:00.001+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091201/local/aids-vigil

Tuesday, 1st December 2009

Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.

Activists lit candles to form the AIDS-awareness red ribbon in Valletta last night during a vigil to mark World AIDS Day today. The vigil was organised by the Malta Medical Student's Association, with the participation of the Malta Gay Rights Movement.

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]

Peter Tatchell: World Aids Day - End the gay blood ban

2009-12-02T04:48:00.001+01:00

http://www.petertatchell.net/blood%20ban%20on%20gays/wad-end-the-gay-blood-ban.html
London – 30 November 2009

Terrence Higgins Trust and Gay Men Fighting Aids urged to support change
“Ban reflects stererotyped, irrational, bigoted and unscientific fears”

“The blanket, lifetime ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood is based on stererotyped, irrational, unscientific and homophobic assumptions,” said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights group OutRage!

He was speaking to coincide with World Aids Day, Tuesday I December.

An outline of Mr Tatchell’s new draft policy to ease restrictions on blood donations follows below.

“In contrast to the intransigence of the National Blood Service, the Anthony Nolan Trust has lifted its automatic ban on all donations from gay and bisexual men,” Mr Tatchell added.

“The blood service is currently appealing for donors, ahead of the winter flu season. Some of the potential shortfall in the blood supply could be met if the total ban on gay and bisexual donors was lifted.

“In response to protests and criticisms. the government’s Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) is currently undertaking a review of whether the comprehensive ban should remain.

“The gay-led charities, Terrence Higgins Trust and Gay Men Fighting Aids, have previously suppprted the ban. THT contiunues to do so. GMFA is expected to soon reconsider its policy.

“We hope that THT and GMFA will soon join the campaign by OutRage!, the National Aids Trust and the National Union of Students to ensure that this sweeping ban is overturned.

“The lifetime ban is backed by the government, which claims to oppose homophobic discrimination. It is based on the stererotyped, irrational, bigoted and unscientific presumption that the blood of every man who has had oral or anal sex with another man – even just once 40 years ago with a condom – is unsafe. This is nonsense.

“The truth is that most gay and bisexual men do not have HIV and will never have HIV. Their blood is safe to donate.

“Among those prohibited from donating blood are: gay couples in life-long monogamous relationships, celibate gay and bisexual men, heterosexual men who experimented once with their schoolmates, and males who last had gay sex in the 1960s – over a decade before the HIV pandemic began. Even if men from these groups test HIV-negative, they are banned for life from donating blood. This policy is madness.

“The priority must be to protect the blood supply from infection with HIV. But this can be achieved without a universal ban on all gay and bisexual men.

“Other countries have ditched their lifetime exclusion, including New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Japan and Australia. They allow some gay and bisexual men to donate blood, in certain cirumstances.

“Since Spain and Italy ended their total gay ban, the number of HIV infections from contaminated blood donations has fallen. This seems to be because they eased the restrictions and, at the same time, educated the gay community about the new policy. Gay donors responded with care and responsibility.

DRAFT NEW POLICY re gay and bisexual blood donors

“The National Blood Service should replace the lifetime ban with more narrow restrictions focused on risky gay and bisexual donors. This change of policy should go hand-in-hand with a “Safe Blood” education campaign targeted at the LGBT community, to ensure that no one donates blood if they are at risk of HIV and other blood-borne infections.

“The only men who should be definitely excluded as donors are those who have had oral or anal sex with a man without a condom in the previous six months and those who have a history of unsafe sex. Most other gay and bisexual men should be accepted as donors, providing their blood tests HIV-negative.

“If the blood service wanted to be ultra cautious, it could exclude all male donors who have had oral or anal sex with a man in the last month and do both a HIV antibody test and a HIV antigen test on all those who have had oral or anal sex in the preceding six months. This would guarantee that the donated blood posed no risk to its recipients.

“This change of policy would not endanger the blood supply. With these provisos, the blood donated would be safe,” said Mr Tatchell.