Gay-Rights News Library in Malta and Beyond

Times: NGOs call for ‘hate crime’ to also cover anti-gay acts

2012-01-27T20:29:00.001-03:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120123/local/NGOs-call-for-hate-crime-to-also-cover-anti-gay-acts.403447

Monday, January 23, 2012, by Sarah Carabott

Amy ended up with a fractured nose, a grazed face and bruises on her breasts after being viciously attacked for being a lesbian. Her friend had scratches on her wrists.

An attack on a 16-year-old lesbian yesterday provoked calls for the concept of gay hate crime to be included in Maltese laws.

“In many countries, such an assault would be investigated as a hate crime but Malta has yet to extend hate crime legislation to include the grounds of homophobia and transphobia,” the Malta Gay Rights Movement and the human rights lobby Aditus said in a joint statement.

Their reaction, accompanied by that of hundreds of people on the internet, came after The Sunday Times reported on the attack in which the girl, pseudonymously named Amy, and her girlfriend were beaten in Ħamrun specifically because of their sexual orientation.

The petite teenager ended up at a health centre with a fractured nose, a grazed face and bruises on her breasts. Her girlfriend got away with a bruise to the head and scratches on her wrists which she sustained when pushed to the ground.

“Violence on lesbian, gay and transexual people is not an uncommon occurrence although most incidents do not get reported to the police or featured in newspapers.

“Trust in the police force is an essential factor in encouraging and enabling LGBT victims to come forward and report such crimes. For this reason, how the police react to this assault also has an effect on the reporting of other similar incidents,” they said.

In fact, Amy’s mother told The Sunday Times that, although the police had spoken to the perpetrators, brothers aged about 17 and 19, they had not been arrested. Questions sent to the police on Thursday, asking whether they would be charged, remained unanswered despite various reminders.

The incident provoked an immediate response online with a group set up on Facebook – The Amy Initiative – garnering more than 300 endorsements in less than six hours.

“Amy is a pseudonym used in the article but Amy could be anyone: your sister, cousin, brother, uncle. Homophobia is real in Malta. There is no excuse for it, don’t let it go ignored,” the group states under its information section.

The initiative is also calling for Maltese laws to include hate crime on the basis of sexual orientation.

The NGOs also expressed concern over allegations of harassment experienced by the victim at school when her sexual orientation became known.

They urged the Education Department of Educational Services to investigate the claims.

The Drachma Parents’ Group – a support group for relatives of LGBT people – called on the Maltese and the Christian community to take stronger action against homophobic remarks and stand up in defence of victims harassed because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The support group urged the authorities and the police to stop this violence by ensuring justice and compensation, and the Curia to issue a strong statement “in the face of such un-Christian and aggressive behaviour and show that it is on the side of homosexuals, ‘who must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 2358)”.

Alternattiva Demokratika, We Are, a university LGBT organisation, and the Nationalist Party’s youth group – MŻPN – also urged action.

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

We Are: University of Malta LGBT Organisation: Press Release on the Homophobic Attack

2012-01-27T20:27:00.002-03:00

22.1.2012

We Are - The University of Malta LGBTQQI Organisation would like to join MGRM and aditus in condemning this homophobic hate crime. We Are call upon the authorities to undertake necessary measures to hold the offenders accountable. We recognize the difficulties young LGBT persons face when coming out and trying to be accepted at school and work. Homophobic and transphobic bullying can be upsetting and difficult to deal with. We Are believes that nobody has to put up with any kind of bullying and encourages young LGBT persons to report these incidents and seek help when needed.

For more information contact Luisa Tolu on 99241063 or email weareuom@gmail.com

MGRM: Need of Homophobic and Transphobic Hate Crime Legislation Apparent

2012-01-27T20:20:00.001-03:00

Joint Statement: MGRM & aditus

22.1.2012

The Malta Gay Rights Movement and aditus strongly condemn the act of violence that took place in Hamrun against two young women on Friday 13th January as reported in the Sunday Times and would like to express their solidarity with the victims and their families.

In many countries, such an assault would be investigated as a hate crime but Malta has yet to extend hate crime legislation to include the grounds of homophobia and transphobia.

Violence on lesbian, gay and trans people is not an uncommon occurrence although most incidents do not get reported to the police or featured in newspapers. Trust in the police

force is an essential factor in encouraging and enabling LGBT victims to come forward and report such crimes. For this reason, how the police react to this assault, also has an effect on the reporting of other similar incidents. We therefore hope that charges will be brought against the perpetrators and that the assault is treated with the seriousness it deserves.

We would also like to express our concern with regards to allegations made by the mother of the victim with regards to the difficulties and harassment experienced by the daughter in school when her sexual orientation became known, particularly as this seems to have involved inappropriate behaviour by teachers. We urge the Department of Educational Services to investigate such claims and reiterate once again the need to introduce clear policies and guidelines that protect LGBT students and staff from harassment and discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Those LGBT people who have experienced similar incidents or require support are encouraged to contact MGRM on support@maltagayrights.org or call the National Gay Helpline: on 9925 5559.

Gabi Calleja, coordinator of the MGRM stated: “This is a shocking act of violence that continues to affirm the dangers that the LGBT community faces in coming out.”

Neil Falzon, from aditus, added: “We’re further concerned at the girl’s current safety and hope that she is offered adequate protection from revictimisation, including during any criminal investigations and court proceedings.”

Drachma: Press Release on the Homophobic Attack

2012-01-27T20:14:00.003-03:00

22nd January 2012

The Drachma Parents’ Group – a support group for parents and relatives of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans (LGBT) – deplores the homophobic violence and criminality depicted in the episode reported in today’s Sunday Times entitled:
‘Thugs attack lesbian on a bench’.

The Drachma Parents’ Group extends its solidarity with the victims and their families and draws on Maltese society and the Christian Community to take stronger action against homophobic remarks and to stand up in defence of victims suffering harassment and violence, on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Civil authorities and the Police Corps are urged to stop this violence by ensuring justice and compensation to the victims is duly given. The Curia is also urged to issue a strong statement in the face of such unchristian and aggressive behaviour and show that it is on the side of homosexuals, ‘who must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity’. (Catechism of the Catholic Church No 2358)

Parents, LGBTs and others wishing to show solidarity or join Drachma may contact us on: drachmalgbt@gmail.com – 99426534/79442317

Drachma Parents’ Group

Di-ve: Updated: The AMY Initiative calls for hate crime legislation reforms

2012-01-27T20:11:00.001-03:00

http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=88832&newscategory=36&cache=false
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
22 January 2012 -- 11:50CEST

A Facebook group titled The AMY Initiative has been set up to condemn the homophobic attack on a 16-year-old lesbian couple and call for stricter legislation regarding hate crimes.

"This group is regarding the lack of hate crime laws with respect to sexual orientation. Malta's hate crime laws do NOT cover this," the group's description says.

"AMY is a pseudonym used in the article, but AMY could be anyone -your sister, your cousin,your brother,your uncle. HOMOPHOBIA is real in Malta. There is NO EXCUSE for it, don't let it go ignored."

The incident in question, which happened over a week ago, was reported this morning by the Sunday Times.

Two teenage girls had been sitting on a bench in Ħamrun when two young men attacked one of them and dragged her by the hair because of her sexual orientation.

The girl ended up at a health centre with a fractured nose, a graze on her face and several bruises.

Her girlfriend, who was also attacked, got away with a bruise to the head and scratches on her wrists which she sustained when pushed to the ground.

The Drachma Parents' Group extended its solidarity with the victims and their families and draws on Maltese society and the Christian Community to take stronger action against homophobic remarks and to stand up in defence of victims suffering harassment and violence, on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Civil authorities and the Police Corps are urged to stop this violence by ensuring justice and compensation to the victims is duly given. The Curia is also urged to issue a strong statement in the face of such unchristian and aggressive behaviour and show that it is on the side of homosexuals, 'who must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity'.

Gabi Calleja from the Malta Gay Rights Movement and Neil Falzon from human rights movement Aditus condemned the act saying it was very unfortunate that in today's society sexual orientation could lead to hate crime.

We Are, a LGBTQQI student organisation based at the University of Malta, has also joined in with a vocal condemnation of the attack.

Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Michael Briguglio said he endorsed the calls by NGOs and civil society for more action against such homophobic hate crimes.

Malta Today: NGOs call for urgent homophobic hate crime legislation

2012-01-27T20:05:00.002-03:00

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/NGO-s-call-for-urgent-Homophobic-hate-crime-legislation-20120122
National Sunday 22 January 2012 - 14:07

The Malta Gay Rights Movement, Aditus and Drachma condemn act of violence on girl in Hamrun.On Friday a 16-year old lesbian girl was attacked by two men in Hamrun.

The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) and human rights organisation Aditus, strongly condemned the act of violence that took place in Hamrun against two young women on Friday 13 January as reported in the Sunday Times and expressed their solidarity with the victims and their families.

On Friday a 16-year-old lesbian and her girlfriend were attacked by two young men in Ħamrun. The girl was apparently attacked of her sexual orientation.

"In many countries, such an assault would be investigated as a hate crime but Malta has yet to extend hate crime legislation to include the grounds of homophobia and transphobia," the statement said.

MGRM and Auditus said violence on lesbian, gay and trans people is not an uncommon occurrence "although most incidents do not get reported to the police or featured in newspapers. Trust in the police force is an essential factor in encouraging and enabling LGBT victims to come forward and report such crimes."

Gabi Calleja, coordinator of the MGRM said "This is a shocking act of violence that continues to affirm the dangers that the LGBT community faces in coming out."

Neil Falzon, from Aditus, said "We're further concerned at the girl's current safety and hope that she is offered adequate protection from re-victimisation, including during any criminal investigations and court proceedings."

The two organisations added that the way police reacted to this assault, had an effect on the reporting of other similar incidents. "We therefore hope that charges will be brought against the perpetrators and that the assault is treated with the seriousness it deserves," the statement said.

"We would also like to express our concern with regards to allegations made by the mother of the victim with regards to the difficulties and harassment experienced by the daughter in school when her sexual orientation became known, particularly as this seems to have involved inappropriate behaviour by teachers." MGRM and Auditus urged the Department of Educational Services to investigate such claims and reiterated once again the need to introduce clear policies and guidelines that protect LGBT students and staff from harassment and discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

The Drachma Parents' Group, a support group for parents and relatives of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans also condemned the act of violence and extended its solidarity with the victims and their families. Drachma urged the Maltese society and the Christian Community to take stronger action against homophobic remarks and to stand up in defence of victims suffering harassment and violence, on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Those LGBT people who have experienced similar incidents or require support are encouraged to contact MGRM on support@maltagayrights.orgor call the National Gay Helpline: on 9925 5559.

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on Malta Today's website.]

Times: Respect their dignity (2)

2012-01-23T20:03:00.001-03:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120122/blogs/respect-their-dignity-2.403426
Sunday, January 22, 2012, 16:15, by Fr Joe Borg

The Sunday Times today published a story that should disturb all readers. The heading “Thugs attack lesbian, 16, on a bench” says it all.

The “crime” of the girls seems to have been that they are lesbians. According to the story “Amy” and her girl friend were sitting on a bench in Hamrun when they were attacked by two brothers one 17 and the other 19. According to the report in The Sunday Times the attack happened only because of the girls’ sexual orientation.

According to the report in The Sunday Times, the girl was grabbed by her breasts, head-butted, thrown on the ground, grabbed by her hair and pulled across the ground. She ended up at a health centre with a fractured nose, the right side of her face was grazed and she had fingerprint-sized bruises on her breasts. Her girlfriend, who was also attacked, was also hurt, though not as much as “Amy.”

The paper informed us that the police were sent questions on Thursday. This gave them ample time to answer by Saturday. It is a pity that they did not answer and consequently we have a one source story. I think it would have been wiser for the paper to try to contact the boys or their family for their side of the story as it is always better to give all those involved in a story the chance to put their point across.

Whatever the reason for the attack on the girls such an attack is too be condemned. We have too many bullies roaming our streets. They believe that this is the Wild West where muscle counts more than brains. If, as the story says, the attack was motivated by the sexual orientation of the girls, then the attack asks for a sterner condemnation.

It is absolutely unacceptable that people suffer such aggression because of their sexual orientation. Gays have been the victims of many an injustice and atrocity throughout history. Even today there are countries where a person can be condemned to death for his or her sexual orientation. Although our country is not one of these barbaric states which treat gays in such a manner, it seems that there are bullies around that have the same mentality. They vent their hate of gays in such violent acts.

All of society should adopt zero tolerance against all acts of violence particularly those stemming from hate of others because of their sexual orientation.

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

Times: Updated: Thugs attack lesbian, 16, on a bench

2012-01-23T19:53:00.003-03:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120122/local/Thugs-attack-lesbian-16-on-a-bench.403284

Sunday, January 22, 2012, by Claudia Calleja

The 16-year-old sustained a fractured nose, among other injuries.

A 16-year-old lesbian was sitting on a bench with her girlfriend in Ħamrun when two young men attacked her and dragged her by her hair because of her sexual orientation.

“It was a horrible experience... All of a sudden one of the boys picked me up and punched me in my eye... He grabbed my breasts then head-butted my nose and threw me onto the ground, grabbed my hair and pulled me across the ground,” Amy* told The Sunday Times.

The petite teenager ended up at a health centre with a fractured nose, the right side of her face was grazed and she had fingerprint-sized bruises on her breasts.

Her girlfriend, who was also attacked, got away with a bruise to the head and scratches on her wrists which she sustained when pushed to the ground.

The incident happened on January 13 at about 7.30 p.m. Amy – who preferred not to be identified – went to a Ħamrun square with her girlfriend and another two female friends.

The two friends were dancing in a gazebo and Amy and her girlfriend were sitting on a bench when two brothers, about 17 and 19 years old, came out onto a nearby balcony and started hurling insults at them.

“They said we were twisted,” Amy’s girlfriend said.

The girls retaliated and shouted back at the boys. Suddenly, the younger boy turned up in the square.

“He said he was not scared to hit girls... I told him to go away,” Amy said. But the boy hit her girlfriend and pushed her to the ground.

The 19-year-old boy picked her up, punching her, and dragging her from the hair. The whole event lasted about 10 minutes and ended when a relative of the girls turned up and called the police.

When the police arrived they went into the boys’ apartment and spoke to them but no arrests were made, Amy’s mother said.

It is not clear whether the boys will be taken to court since questions sentto the police on Thursday remained unanswered.

This was not the first time the girls had seen the boys at the square. One day the boys even threw eggs at the girls because of their sexuality but they ignored them and it ended there.

Amy recounted it was not easy for her at first to understand her sexuality and to break it to her family.

“I started having such feelings when I was in Form One... I always had those doubts,” she said.

Amy’s mother accepted her daughter immediately. “I’ve accepted her, our family has accepted her but some people just don’t want to... When school got wind ofit, it was hassle after hassle... Some teachers used to pick on her and bring up her sexuality,” she said.

The mother spoke about the importance of accepting people as they are. “Her (Amy’s) previous girlfriend’s parents are not accepting it. The poor girl is still seeing a therapist because they will not accept it.”

Gabi Calleja from the Malta Gay Rights Movement condemned the act saying it was very unfortunate that in today’s society sexual orientation could lead to hate crime.

*Not her real name

Trail of violence

• One in every 10 gay people is subjected to some form of violence because of their sexual orientation, according to a 2003 study carried out by the Malta Gay Rights Movement.

• This was backed by a 2008 study that showed that eight per cent of gay people had been attacked in the previous two years and half of these said it happened more than once. Two-thirds were young women.

• The only legal protection gay people have refers to discrimination in terms of harassment. The law protects anyone from actions that amount to threats, violence and harassment.

• The part of the law that speaks about hate crime is limited to racial hatred. Last year the Justice Minister announced there were plans to extend this to include homophobia.

Organisations deplore attack

The Malta Gay Rights Movement, Aditus, Drachma, We Are, Alternattiva Demokratika and the Moviment Zghazagh Partit Nazzjonalista condemned the attack.
In a joint statement that MGRM and Aditus also expressed concern at the victim's mother statements on difficulties and harassment experienced by the daughter in school when her sexual orientation became known.

"We urge the Department of Educational Services to investigate such claims and reiterate once again the need to introduce clear policies and guidelines that protect LGBT students and staff from harassment and discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression."

Drachma called for stronger action against homophobic remarks and appealed to the Maltese and Christians to stand up in defence of victims suffering harassment and violence, on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

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

Times: What would AD have done?

2012-01-23T19:50:00.001-03:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120120/opinion/What-would-AD-have-done-.403087

Friday, January 20, 2012, by Michael Briguglio

Like some other members of Parliament from both sides of the House, Franco Debono was right in raising certain issues during this legislature. Yet, his strategy of holding the government at ransom for his issues confirmed that, in spite of the parliamentary Whips, the government here is made up of a coalition of individuals, unlike practically all European countries where governments comprise coalitions of parties.

The Franco Debono issue has shown that Malta, more than ever, requires reforms in its democratic system to ensure as much fair parliamentary representation and stability as possible. It is for this reason that Alternattiva Demokratika has been proposing an electoral system similar to the German one, which ensures representation both through election at district level (as is the case in Malta right now) and also through a national quota.

In the past days, many have asked me what AD would do were we in Dr Debono’s situation.

If we are represented in Parliament we would propose reforms in various areas and would work with the government and the opposition to attain them.

If we form a coalition with another party, we would agree on a joint programme and work to achieve it when in Parliament. If the programme is drawn up on the basis of mutual respect and understanding stability can be ensured. This is the norm all over the EU, where coalition governments operate on the basis of fair representation leading to a functional government. Green parties frequently feature in such coalitions.

Being a responsible party, we would respect the fact that we would be a minor partner in a coalition. We would surely not resort to threats to have our way at all costs as this would not only bring about unwarranted instability in Malta’s democratic system but would also mean that we would be committing political suicide.

AD has made its position clear on the Franco Debono issue through press statements and various TV interventions, including on Xarabank and TVAM. We made it clear that were we in Parliament we would have acted as a responsible party and that we were not rubbing our hands in anticipation of an election.

Many contacted me to express their support for our responsible approach, yet, some others expected us to join the speculation brigade and to issue a press release every five minutes on the matter. We said what he had to say on the issue and we will say more when we deem fit to say so. However, this does not mean that we should simply shut up on other issues, from the local to the national, European and global.

One local topic is the destructive development at Wied il-Għasel, Mosta. Indeed, as Mark Anthony Falzon remarked in The Sunday Times (January 15), while the Franco Debono issue monopolised media attention, the development in this valley was still taking place. AD is the only political party opposing this development together with environmental NGOs and the inspirational Ħarsien Patrimonju Mosti, which, unlike the locality’s local council, is doing its utmost to lobby on this issue.

I invite readers get more information on this at www.it-tarka.com/ and to sign a national petition opposing the development.

AD is speaking on various other local issues, from the need for more accessible public spaces to the need for better infrastructure because we feel we have the responsibility to do so at all times. Everyday democracy means that issues related to quality of life should be high on the political agenda.

On the national front, we are also declaring our position very clearly on a myriad of environmental, social and economic issues.

Just to mention a few, and to show how we can be clearly distinguished from other parties, we are the only party calling for a sustainable water policy when illegal boreholes are bringing Malta close to a water crisis.

We are the only party calling for a balance between sensible economic policy and progressive and socially just fiscal measures, such as those against property speculation, when more than 25 per cent of properties are vacant in Malta.

We are the only party calling for equal rights for LGBT persons and other minorities in family and social policy.

We are calling for the modernisation of censorship legislation and for humane and sustainable policies on immigration.

Unlike PNPL, but like experts in the field, we are calling for the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use and real help for drug users, rather than imprisonment, which only increases problems for such victims. Cheap populism is not on our agenda.
AD is the only party not held to ransom by egoistic lobbies such as Armier squatters, hunters and trappers, firework fanatics, contractors with cash and destructive developers.

Voting for AD would, therefore, be a vote for change in the style of governance and for stability. If one believes in giving priority to social justice, civil rights, environmental justice, sustainable development, ecological modernisation and, last but not least, the reform in the institutional set-ups for the enhancement of democracy, one knows where one stands with the greens. Voting for the Nationalist Party and for the Labour Party would mean voting for the political status quo.
Mr Briguglio, a sociologist, is chairman and spokesman for economy and finance, Alternattiva Demokratika – the Green party.

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

Malta Today: Early elections triggers race for gay vote – MGRM

2012-01-23T19:47:00.000-03:00

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Early-elections-triggers-race-for-gay-vote-MGRM-20120118
National Thursday 19 January 2012 - 08:15, by Miriam Dalli

Early elections triggers race for gay vote – MGRM

Same-sex partnerships likely to become electoral concernMGRM has long been arguing that the right to marry should be a fundamental human right in and of itself: without discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

The prospect of early elections may influence the official positions of political parties regarding legalising civil unions between same-sex couples, according to Malta Gay Rights Movement co-ordinator Gabi Calleja: who confirmed she has already received a call for a meeting with the social policy ministry.

Last week, MGRM presented its position paper on marriage equality, insisting that the legal definition of civil marriage should not remain gender specific. The position paper, penned by aditus chairman Neil Falzon, seeks to spark a national discussion on the recognition of marriage equality in Malta - "a much needed discussion", Calleja insists.

MGRM has long been arguing that the right to marry should be recognized to all persons as a fundamental human right in and of itself: without discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

"Marriage for same-sex couples is the gateway for a host of rights and obligations which heterosexual couples enjoy. It would allow same-sex marriage to enjoy these same rights and obligations," Calleja had said during the launch, while announcing that the position paper will be given to the major political parties and policy makers.

Contacted by MaltaToday, Calleja said the movement thought it would have one year of campaigning on the issue before the parties went for elections: "But if elections are to be held earlier than scheduled, we might end up with just a number of weeks of campaigning."

Calleja said the current political situation might influence parties' position over the issues suffered by members of the LGBTI community, adding that the influence could be a positive one.

"Things could take a different turn ... there could even be pressure on both sides to try and gain as much gay votes as possible," Calleja said, adding that MGRM had already received a call from the office of Social Policy Minister Chris Said to set up a meeting.

"However I do not know what the meeting is about," she added.

In comments to MaltaToday, Said's office confirmed the minister will be meeting with members of the MGRM to discuss the position paper.

"Twelve days after his appointment as Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family, Chris Said is holding meetings with various stakeholders on various issues," a spokesman for the minister said.

"He has made it a point to meet members of MGRM to discuss with them the position paper they issued recently."

On the other hand, the ministry failed to answer to questions asking what is government's position on marriage equality, whether it agreed that same-sex couples should be able to adopt and whether it would be ready to define a legal civil union as marriage.

"The issues mentioned in your questions will be dealt with during that meeting," the spokesman said.

The same questions were also asked to the Labour Party, which replied: "The Labour Party has already made it amply clear it is committed to introduce civil partnership for same-sex couples. The commitment was made during last November's budget reply and part of Joseph Muscat's proposals."

Alternattiva Demokratika has long held a clear position on the rights of same-sex couples, even though the Labour Party has an LGBT branch.

Asked whether AD would refer to the civil unions as marriage, AD's spokesperson on social policy Angele Deguara said: "AD believes that same-sex couples should be able to form civil unions with all the rights of married couples."

Deguara said in many EU countries, same-sex couples can form civil partnerships or civil unions.

"In Malta no legislation exists which grants same sex couples any form of legal recognition of their relationship and their call to have their relationship legalised is understandable," Deguara said.

"AD has on more than one occasion urged policy makers to recognise this right and to provide a legal mechanism by which same sex couples can form a civil union with all the rights granted to married couples."

Times: Gay couples ‘deserve’ full marital rights

2012-01-23T19:44:00.001-03:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120116/local/Gay-couples-deserve-full-marital-rights.402472

Monday, January 16, 2012, by Claudia Calleja

Gay couples deserve the right to marry civilly and benefit from rights that are now limited to heterosexual spouses, the Malta Gay Rights Movement believes.

Equality is not a luxury, it is a basic human right and the time for it is now
The movement has just released a position paper asking that the legal definition of civil marriage does not remain gender specific.

The introduction of divorce last year showed that the definition of marriage could be changed, said lawyer Neil Falzon who was commissioned to draw up the document.

He stressed that the position paper tackled civil marriage and was not, in any way, asking the Church to redefine its understanding of marriage. What it did do was ask legislators and judges to make a clear distinction between Church and civil marriage because, at times, the courts blurred the dividing line.

Dr Falzon noted that allowing gay people to marry civilly would grant them full equality and access to a whole range of rights that come with signing a marriage contract.

The rights – such as adoption, inheritance and pensions – were not necessarily covered by the cohabitation law the government promised, he said. MGRM coordinator Gabi Calleja pointed out that the cohabitation law did not recognise the relationship between the couple.

“No harm ensues to society from granting equal rights to same-sex couples and, therefore, any delay cannot be morally justified... Equality is not a luxury, it is a basic human right and the time for it is now,” she said.

When asked about public opinion, she said the divorce debate had shown people were open to the redefinition of marriage. Public opinion, she added, was often resistant to gay unions when it came to the issue of children.

On this subject, the position paper notes that there are several gay couples who had children either because one of them adopted a child or because they had a child from a previous relationship, for example.

However, the lack of marriage equality means, the paper says, that such couples are not in a position to grant full protection to the children who do not have two legal parents.

The joint duties and authority of a married couple towards their children cover issues such as maintenance, education, health, management of their assets and representation in all civil matters.

The position paper will be distributed to the major political parties and policy makers.

It can be viewed on the movement’s new website www.maltagayrights.org.

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

Independent: MGRM appeals for civil unions for same-sex couples

2012-01-21T13:42:00.000-03:00

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=138190
14 January 2012 by Chiara Bonello

In a report which aims to highlight the injustice created by the current scenario and appeal for marriage equality, the Malta Gay Rights Movement is appealing for same-sex couples to be allowed to marry civilly.

The aim of the position paper on marriage equality, which was launched yesterday, is to provide input to a national discussion on the recognition of marriage equality in Malta and ultimately that civil marriage is permitted, as for different-sex couples.

As it is, just three EU member states lag behind Malta in the Rainbow Europe Country Index, which rates each country's laws and administrative practices which protect or violate the human rights of LGBT people, based on 16 different categories.

These countries are Latvia, Poland and Cyprus, the latter faring the worst of all. Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands are the EU member states which rank highest, and Iceland also ranks very highly.

Countries which have recognised marriage equality include the US, Portugal, Mexico and Sweden, as well as the most recent, Argentina.

The report, drawn up by Neil Falzon and Carla Camilleri, also lists a table of rights and duties associated with marriage, ranging from rights to a family and children, and others such as succession and employment rights.

Dr Falzon emphasised that civil marriage is an institution independent of Canon Law and the ecclesiastical authorities and, as such, should not be construed on the basis of religious belief. Furthermore defining marriage in terms of procreation potential excludes and offends those marriages and family units that, for whatever reason, do not include children.

The report concludes that the right to marry is a fundamental human right enshrined in the major international and regional instruments. Marriage equality discussions should be approached with a rights-based argumentation which acknowledges this inherent right to marry.

Since marriage equality, and its eventual inclusion in national legislation, does not have any long-term negative impact on the meaning and institution of marriage, it should not be perceived as a legal or social threat.

In fact, the report quotes a study on the impact of gay marriage on heterosexuals, which looked at Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands, and found that there is no logical connection between the policy debate and heterosexual behaviour and attitudes towards marriage. It also found no differences between countries which do and don't recognise same-sex marriages.

Cohabiting same-sex couples are a family unit and should enjoy the protection of the law through a form of recognition as such, and not as any other form of relationship.

Furthermore, the best interests of a child should always be a primary consideration, and it is in the best interests of the child to enjoy a relationship with their parents that is recognised and protected by the law, regardless of whether they share a biological link.

Adoption should be made available without discrimination based on the child's birth status or the parents' marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity. Evaluation of someone's parental skills should not distinguish between homosexual and heterosexual people, but take into account the potential for offering a child an environment conducive to their well-being.

The report also concludes that the Maltese authorities should not ignore the financial implications of becoming an international marriage destination. It points out that since different-sex couples choose to get married in Malta due to conditions such as climate, this could potentially create a market for same-sex marriages

Speaking during the launch, Gabi Calleja said MGRM has been advocating the legal recognition of same-sex couples and their families since its inception in 2001, while being aware that this would be a long and difficult struggle.

Ms Calleja said that LGBT people have been excluded from public policy definitions of family and have looked in disbelief as the Constitutional Court refused a transsexual woman the right to marry, as well as the concern of those with partners from third countries, who might be refused a visa.

"The introduction of divorce legislation and the announcement by the government of its intention to introduce cohabitation legislation has possibly brought forward this campaign," she said, adding that MGRM has always expressed its disagreement with the fact that the potential cohabitation law fails to recognise the relationship between same-sex couples.

Marriage equality is the only option that provides the same status and rights available to opposite-sex couples and their children, and is the simplest form of recognition to introduce, requiring minor adjustments to our legal framework, she said.

Ms Calleja said the discrimination experienced by same-sex couples is no longer tenable in today's world and MGRM will not stop its efforts, until its goal has been achieved.

"No harm ensues to society from the granting of equal rights to same-sex couples and therefore any delay cannot be morally justified. On the contrary there are significant benefits to same-sex couples and their children as well, as such legislation sending a clear message that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation should never be condoned. Equality is not a luxury, it is a basic human right and the time for it is now," she said.

L-Orizzont: L-MGRM determinata li tkompli bl-isforzi tagħha - "Dejjem għexna bis-sigriet"

2012-01-21T13:39:00.001-03:00

http://www.orizzont.com.mt/FullArticle.php?ID1='Ahbarijiet'&ID2=85252
14.1.12 minn Charmaine Craus

L-MGRM (Malta Gay Rights Movement) hija determinata li tkompli bl-isforzi tagħha, anke jekk dawn jieħdu x-xhur u s-snin, biex tikseb l-għan li qiegħda taħdem għalih, jiġifieri li l-awtoritajiet jirrikonoxxu r-relazzjoni ta' mħabba li teżisti bejn koppji tal-istess.

L-MGRM ilha tissielet għar-rikonoxximent legali ta' koppji tal-istess sess u l-familji tagħhom sa mit-twaqqif tagħha, fl-2001.

Gabi Calleja, il-kordinatriċi tal-MGRM qalet li matul l-aħħar għaxar snin, il-Moviment ħadem ħafna biex titqajjem kuxjenza dwar preduġizzji omofobiċi u transfobiċi li jaffetwaw il-ħajja ta' kuljum ta' din il-komunità u li jagħmilha iktar diffiċli li jħossuhom komdi biex jesprimu ġesti sempliċi ta' affezzjoni lejn il-maħbubin tagħhom. Minkejja li l-MGRM dejjem emmen li din kienet kawża ġusta, kien jaf li se tkun taqbida twila u diffiċli.

"Żammejna r-rabtiet tagħha ta' ġenituri mat-tfal tagħna sigrieta biex inħarsuhom mill-fastidju u 'bullying', konna diskreti dwar l-identitajiet tagħna biex nevitaw dieqa lill-ġenituri tagħna u eżerċitajna l-prudenza fuq il-post tax-xogħol jew l-iskola minħabba l-biża' ta' fastidju jew diskriminazzjoni."

Hija qalet dan matul konferenza tal-aħbarijiet li matulha tnediet 'position paper', li hija tentattiv biex tesprimi t-twemmin tal-MGRM, li l-ugwaljanza fiż-żwieġ hija l-unika għażla li tipprovdi l-istess status u drittijiet ta' dawk li jgawdu koppji tas-sess oppost u t-tfal tagħhom.

Calleja esprimiet it-tama tagħha li l-'position paper' li tħejjiet mill-konsulent legali Dr Neil Falzon, mgħejjun mir-riċerkatriċi Carla Camilleri, tagħti lok għal dibattitu raġunat u tant meħtieġ li jirrispetta r-relazzjonijiet ta' persuni tal-istess sess, ibbażat fuq diskors sekulari u ffukat fuq id-drittijiet tal-bniedem u mhux diskors reliġjuż biss.

L-orizzont staqsa lil Gabi Calleja dwar il-fatt li l-liġi tal-koabitazzjoni għadha ma daħlitx fis-seħħ, minkejja li l-wegħda tal-Gvern kienet li din kellha tidħol fis-seħħ sal-aħħar tas-sena li għaddiet.

Gabi Calleja qalet li peress li l-MGRM mhijiex daqstant favur il-liġi tal-koabitazzjoni, aktar milli xtaqet li tiġi ppubblikata għax favuriha, xtaqet tkun taf x'se tinkludi u teskludi bħala drittijiet u obbligi, għal min se tapplika u kemm se tkun estensiva bħala protezzjoni għal koppji tal-istess sess

"Nixtiequ li jkun hemm forma ta' rikonoxximent għal koppji tal-istess sess, iżda l-koabitazzjoni hija l-inqas waħda li nkunu kuntenti biha," żiedet tgħid Gabi Calleja lil l-orizzont. Hija qalet li l-liġi toffri ċertu protezzjoni għal persuni li jgħixu flimkien, iżda ma tirrikonoxxix ir-relazzjoni ta' bejniethom. Tirrikonoxxi biss il-fatt li qed jgħixu flimkien.

"Għalina dik mhux iżjed aċċettabbli. Aħna rridu rikonoxximent ta' koppja bħala koppja, jiġifieri tar-relazzjoni ta' mħabba li hemm bejniethom. Id-diskriminazzjoni fil-konfront tagħna m'għadhiex iżjed aċċettabli fid-dinja tal-lum u aħna mhux se nwaqqfu l-isforzi tagħna biex xi darba nilħqu l-għan li qegħdin naħdmu għalih."
Dr Neil Falzon qal li r-rapport huwa riċerka u analiżi dwar żwiġijiet ċivili u ma jitkellimx dwar żwiġijiet li saru bil-Knisja, u għalhekk mhuwiex indirizzat biex l-awtoritajiet tal-Knisja jagħmlu xi tibdiliet, iżda lejn il-liġi Maltija.
L-MGRM nediet ukoll il-websajt il-ġdida tagħha www.maltagayrights.org.

Malta Star: MGRM: we want same sex couples to have same rights and status of opposite sex couples

2012-01-21T13:33:00.000-03:00

http://www.maltastar.com/pages/r1/ms10dart.asp?a=19241

13 January 2012 16:13

The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) said that today presented a position paper on marriage equality in favour of giving same-sex couples the same status and rights available to opposite sex couples and their children. Gabi Calleja said: “The discrimination experienced by same-sex couples is no longer tenable in today’s world and we will not cease our efforts until our goal has been achieved whether this takes months, years or even decades.”

She said that as a movement “we have always expressed our dissatisfaction with a potential cohabitation law that failed to recognise same-sex couples not on the basis of living in the same household but because of their relationship to each other.”

Calleja said she hoped that the position paper on marriage equality prepared by MGRM “will give rise to a reasoned and much needed debate that is respectful of our relationships and the families we create and that is based on secular and human rights rather than religious discourse.”

Calleja said: “We have been excluded from public policy definitions of family and have observed in disbelief as our constitutional court refused a trans woman the right to marry. Those of us with partners from third countries have had to live with the stress of knowing that their partner’s visa might be refused and that they might be forced to emigrate in order to stay together.”

Dr Neil Falzon who prepared the potion paper together with Dr Carla Camilleri said today that “In a pluralistic society that respects the religious beliefs and non-beliefs of all its members, private opinions on what marriage is and is not are in principle acceptable. When these private opinions take on the strength of public policy, law and court interpretations individual freedoms are inevitably threatened.”

Dr Falzon said: “The European Court of Human Rights, has not yet recognised the human right of same-sex persons to marry. But the Court is saying two very important things:

- whilst the right to marry does not automatically include same-sex couples, it does not automatically exclude them either…meaning the door has already been pushed open for a future recognition;

- it is ultimately only a matter of time. Marriage equality is not a human right today because of lack of European consensus

…things might change tomorrow as more European states recognise that the only way to fully respect and protect the fundamental human rights of same-sex couples is to offer them the exact same legal guarantees offered to different-sex couples.”

Malta Star: Bishop of Ragusa: The state should recognize gay civil unions

2012-01-21T13:31:00.002-03:00

http://maltastar.com/pages/r1/ms10dart.asp?a=19224
13 January 2012 06:19

The Bishop of Ragusa, Paolo Urso, said in an interview carried also on his diocese’s website: ''When two persons, even of the same sex, decide to live together, it is important that the state recognizes this state of affairs. A lay state, like ours, should not ignore the reality of co-habitation. Then the moral judgment about it is up to others.”

The Sicilian bishop broke with the Vatican line on Thursday when he said the state should recognise gay couples.

"When two people, even if they're the same sex, decide to live together, it's important for the State to recognise this fact, But it must be called something different from marriage," said Paolo Urso, bishop of the Sicilian city of Ragusa.

Malta Today: Gay rights movement 'optimistic' about same-sex marriage legalisation

2012-01-15T06:25:00.000-03:00

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Gay-rights-movement-optimistic-about-same-sex-marriage-legalisation-20120113
Friday 13 January 2012 - 12:40 by Bianca Caruana

MGRM to present political parties with position paper on legal framework for gay marriages. The Malta Gay Rights Movement says same-sex couples must have equal marriage rights and obligations as heterosexuals.

The Malta Gay Rights Movement has presented a position paper advocating the best options for the legislation of same-sex marriage and families in Malta.

The author of the paper, aditus chairman Neil Falzon, said the movement was feeling more optimistic about the introduction of same-sex marriage in Malta since the introduction of divorce.

The paper provides a legal framework for same-sex couples to be married and enjoy the rights and obligations that are incumbent upon married couples.

"Marriage is no longer being defined as a lifelong commitment," Falzon said referring to the recent divorce law introduced last year. "This means it can be revisited again and be redefined to include same-sex marriages."

MGRM coordinator Gabi Calleja said that calling such relationships 'civil unions' would be still discriminatory because it would be seen as different from heterosexual marriages.

"Marriage for same-sex couples is the gateway for a host of rights and obligations which heterosexual couples enjoy. It would allow same-sex marriage to enjoy these same rights and obligations."

The position paper will be presented to the political parties and the LGBT community.

"We hope the paper will give rise to a reasoned and much needed debate that is respectful of our relationships and the families we create, and that it is based on secular values and human rights, rather than religious discourse.

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on Malta Today's website.]

Times: Civil marriages should not remain gender specific

2012-01-15T06:23:00.000-03:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120113/local/civil-unions-should-not-remain-gender-specific-mgrm.402181
Friday, January 13, 2012, 12:19 , by Claudia Calleja

Malta Gay Rights Movement has launched a position paper on marriage equality in which it is asking that the legal definition of civil unions does not remain gender specific.

Lawyer Neil Falzon, who was commissioned to draw up the paper, emphasised that it tackled civil union and was not, in any way, asking the Church to redefine its understanding of marriage.
He noted that allowing gay people to marry civilly would grant them full equality and would grant them access to a whole range of rights that come with signing a marriage contract.
These rights - such as the right to adopt, inheritance and pensions - were not necessarily covered through the cohabitation law government has promised.

Gabi Calleja, from the movement, pointed out that cohabitation law did not recognise the relationship between the couple.

"No harm ensues to society from the granting of equal rights to same-sex couples and therefore any delay can not be morally justified... Equality is not a luxury, it is a basic human right and the time for it is now," she said.

Dr Falzon stressed that granting gay people the right to marry did not diminish the rights of [opposite]-sex couples and did not threaten Church marriage.

It was important that the state stopped giving marriage a religious based meaning.
The divorce debate had already shown that the definition of civil marriage could change - away from a union that lasted a life time. Now it was time to debate changing the definition of who could get married, he said.

The position paper will be given to the major political parties and policy makers.
The movement also launched its new website www.maltagayrights.org

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

Times: The ‘others’ are part of us too

2012-01-13T05:27:00.001-03:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120112/opinion/The-others-are-part-of-us-too.401991
Thursday, January 12, 2012, by Michael Conti

Trees come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from the tall-standing palm tree to the low-lying carob. All are beautiful in their own right and nature does not impose any predetermined form but allows each one to develop into what it truly is.

Unfortunately, some societies see life differently. All seeds are expected to become palm trees and are cultivated as such. But, one fine day, some seedlings start developing in a different fashion. They no longer conform to the expected pattern but become the "ugly ducklings" of our families, our Churches and our societies.

Such is the case with people who question their sexual identity or who identify themselves as other than heterosexual. In the research for my Masters in counselling and psychotherapy I focused on the issues that those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual or are questioning their sexual identity bring to psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors in Malta.

Not all non-heterosexuals experience the same level of difficulty but here I will mention the main issues that are particularly relevant to Malta and that push some people to seek for therapy.

The first issue is a pervasive sense of heterosexism on the islands.

Heterosexism is the assumption that heterosexuality is universal and the only acceptable condition while denying and stigmatising anything that is not heterosexual.

Although non-heterosexual individuals are more visible now than they were a decade ago, some sectors of society still tend to see them as unacceptable or inferior when compared to heterosexuals. Their behaviour is still deemed unmanly or unwomanly and their relationships looked down on as unhealthy and immature.

These attitudes and prejudices are visible in our society's difficulty in providing positive representations of non-heterosexuality in educational institutions. They are present in discourses that portray lesbian, gay and bisexual people and relationships as a threat to family life. They manifest themselves in our country's absence of legal protection of non-heterosexuals apart from anti-discriminatory legislation in the area of employment. They are evident in our refusal to recognise non-heterosexual couples despite the fact that they are based on a loving relationship as much as heterosexual couples are.

Another problem we face in Malta is our small size, making it more difficult for those questioning their sexual identity to meet others who don't identify themselves as heterosexuals. Thus, a number of individuals discover who they are in isolation and find very limited support. This makes the process of self-acceptance very hard.

Meeting others who share a similar sexual identity and seeking help in coming to terms with one's identity may be more difficult for some due to the fear of being discovered as not being heterosexual. Others are silenced by this fear and live a double life, showing an acceptable heterosexual facade on one level while having a different identity on another. This can easily lead to profound personal fragmentation.

Finally, there is the issue of the impact of religion.

Although a number of non-heterosexuals receive considerable support from some members of the clergy, others experience judgement and a deep sense of internal conflict regarding the matter. This includes feelings of shame, anger and a lifelong inability to integrate one's identity. For some it also implies rejecting their spiritual aspect, hence losing an important part of themselves.

In addition to this, religion impacts non-heterosexuals indirectly when parents do not accept their children fully for who they are due to religious teachings.

All these issues can lead to various psychological problems. These include suicide, self-harm, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, self-hate, guilt and shame, a low self-esteem and a higher incidence of relationship breakdown.

Some people are still adamant on attributing the origin of these issues to the sexual orientation itself. However, the source of such problems lies more probably in society's reaction to non-heterosexual individuals and relationships that results in isolation, added psychological burdens and internal fragmentation.

If we want to live in a healthy society we need to shift more towards promoting personal development in all its variety and complexity rather than imposing a standard measure for everyone. The latter only results in discarding by the wayside those who were broken because they were pushed to be other than who they are.

(This degree was carried out following the award of a STEPS scholarship, which was part-financed by the European Union – European Social Fund under Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2012, Empowering People For More Jobs And A Better Quality Of Life.)

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

MGRM: Position Paper on Marriage Equality

2012-01-12T18:35:00.004-03:00

11.1.2012, Gabi Calleja, Coordinator, MGRM

The MGRM would like to invite you to the launch of its Position Paper on Marriage Equality authored by Dr Neil Falzon, to be held on Friday 13th January 2012 at 11am at Dar L-Ewropa, St Paul Street, Valletta.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

This is an important milestone in MGRM's advocacy efforts for the legal recognition of same-sex couples. Co-funding for this project was received from a married same-sex couple with ties to the Maltese islands.

LGBT Labour on PL's Gay Friendly votes

2012-01-12T06:57:00.001-03:00

11.1.2012 by Albert Gauci Cunningham

In view of the LGBT issue which has taken centre stage for these last couple of weeks one would do well to list Labour's stand on various issues since Dr.Joseph Muscat took over.

---Dr.Joseph Muscat has and is on record saying that he will never accept acts of homophobia and is diametrically opposed to views that hold gay ppl. to be "sick" "different" or "abnormal". This Muscat said to a Hall chock full of Delegates during Labour's Ge. Conference. He has also promised to work on anti-Homophobia laws.

---In many recent cases in Court its been Labour MP's who have fought for LGBT people and their cases which they believe ,as do we all, that their rights have been trampled upon. Dr.Jose Herrera (Labour MP 1st District) has been Joanne Cassar's lawyer in her case for marriage while Dr.Owen Bonnici (Labour MP 3rd District) has sucessfully been the Lawyer of a post-op male.

---Dr.Evarist Bartolo (Labour MP 10th and 12th District) was the MP who met and presented the Gender Act in conjuction with MGRM. Evarist is considered to be the most gay friendly MP in the House notwithstanding that there exists a gay MP on the Pn's side.

---The Labour Party in parlaiment declared and worked for the Rent reform to include LGBT people. The response it got? "Hekk jonqos issa" by a certain Deputy PM Tonio Borg.

---The Labour Leader Dr.Joseph Muscat has over and again declared to be in favour of Gay civil Unions but against gay adoption. This stance he took in public and in private during meetings he has had with MGRM and Drachma

---The Labour Party has 2 spokespeople for civil and minority rights; Dr.Gino Cauchi and Dr.Evarist Bartolo. The party also has an Equality officer, a post held by Dr.Rachel Tua.

---Labour MEP's Dr.Louis Grech, Dr.Joseph Muscat (when an MEP) and Dr.John attard Montalto have continually voted for anti-homophobia laws and for LGBT emancipation laws.

-FZL (Forum Zaghzagh Laburisti) have continously been at the forefront on LGBT issues through the media and through their presence in Gay Pride marches, protests and events held by LGBT groups. FZL has ,within it, the LGBT Labour Group. A group which exists in many other Parties ALL OVER EUROPE both Conservative (such as within the CDU in Germany) and Socialist (such as within the Labour Party in the UK).

---Labour Party newspaper Kulhadd, Labour party's News bulettins; One News and the Left leaning Newspaper owned by the GWU--L-Orizzont have always given their utmost and dedicated plenty of space for the LGBT cause.

--- Joseph Muscat was the first Party Leader to ever attend the Gay Pride March event. Infact Dr.Muscat was present for Malta's Gay Pride march on Saturday 9th of June 2011 together with Labour MPs Evarist Bartolo, Owen Bonnici and Helena Dalli.

----Dr.Joseph Muscat Leader of the PL and prospective Prime Minister promises ,in 2 separate occasions in the space of a week, that a new Government led by himself would introduce Civil Unions for LGBT couples.

Thats for the record.......now compare this with the PN's record to date and do your own maths.

Independent: More than €382,000 in grants to civil society organisations

2012-01-10T19:52:00.000-03:00

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=137968
10 January 2012

Justice, Dialogue and the Family Minister Chris Said, in his first official event as minister yesterday, presented cheques to constituted bodies and other representative organisations to assist them to participate in European umbrella organisations, groupings, federations, confederations or networks and in attending conferences, seminars and meetings abroad on matters related to the European Union (EU) in relation to such affiliation.

Meusac’s Civil Society Fund (CSF) is aimed at assisting civil society organisations to keep abreast of developments in the EU and enabling them to educate their members about EU matters related to their respective fields of competence as well as to participate effectively in the decision-making process at European level.

For 2011/2012, 35 civil society organisations will be benefiting from over €382,000. The CSF provides financial support of up to 80% of the eligible costs borne by the organisations.

The minister said that the civil society must continue to actively participate in the process of the formulation of the government’s position on EU matters. He also stated that Meusac’s role is to empower NGOs so that they benefit more from Malta’s EU membership.

Vanni Xuereb, Meusac head, said that in 2011, over one-third of Meusac’s budget allocation went to civil society organisations, assisting them to improve their knowledge and familiarity with EU affairs. He added that by so doing, Meusac was investing in itself since it is the civil society organisations that participate in the consultation mechanism that justify the purpose for the existence of an organisation such as Meusac.

Eligible organisations must be voluntary, self-governing organisations that regularly and actively participate in the Meusac consultation process, the Core Group or one of the nine sectoral committees. All organisations benefiting from the CSF have entered into a written grant agreement with Meusac.

The beneficiaries of the Civil Society Fund are Aditus, Association of Anaesthesiologists of Malta, Association of Speech Language Pathologists, Chambers of Engineers, Confederation of Malta Trade Unions (CMTU), Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (FATTA), FOR.U.M, General Workers’ Union (GWU), Geriatric Medicine Society of Malta, Għaqda tal-Konsumaturi, Gozo Business Chamber, Hair and Beauty Federation, Jesuit Refugee Service, Kamra tal-Periti, Malta Association of Physiotherapists, Malta Chamber of Pharmacists, Malta Chamber of SMEs (GRTU), Malta Dental Technology Association, Malta Employers’ Association (MEA), Malta Federation of Professional Associations, Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM), Malta Health Network, Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), Malta Institute of Management (MiM), Maltese Islands Agri Federation, Malta Midwives Association, Malta Tourism Society, Malta Union of Bank Employees (MUBE), Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN), Malta Union of Teachers (MUT), Mental Health Association Malta, National Council of Women, Solidarjetà u Koperazzjoni, Studenti Demokristjani Maltin (SDM), The Scout Association of Malta, and Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin (UĦM).

Times: Liberal family values threaten humanity: Pope

2012-01-10T18:55:00.000-03:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120109/world/liberal-family-values-threaten-humanity-pope.401656

Monday, January 9, 2012, 14:00, by AFP

Pope Benedict XVI warned today that liberal family values were threatening the future of humanity, in a veiled reference to homosexual marriage and adoptions by gay couples.

"Policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself," the pontiff said in a speech at the Vatican.

"The family, based on the marriage of a man and a woman ... is not a simple social convention, but rather the fundamental cell of every society," added the 84-year-old pontiff.

Humanity is also compromised by laws that "not only permit but at times even promote abortion for reasons of convenience or for questionable medical motives," Benedict said.

The pope said he was pleased that recent EU rulings banned patenting processes on human embryonic stem cells and condemned prenatal selection on the basis of sex.

Benedict XVI is a firm champion of the family, which he says must play a bigger part in the education of young people in respecting Christian values.

The Vatican frequently condemns countries that recognise gay rights.

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

YouTube: Old Homosexual Warning Video

2012-01-09T10:19:00.000-03:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3S24ofEQj4

The clip is taken from a film dealing with a perceived danger to young boys: Homosexuals!!! Unbelievable!

Times: About gay marriages

2012-01-09T10:14:00.001-03:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120109/letters/About-gay-marriages.401596

Monday, January 9, 2012 , by Norman E. Grech, Iklin

In times where the Maltese are finally accepting change and after the much desired “Yes to Divorce” victory, it is expected that attention of those who give a toss of what happens in our society will now focus on gay rights, zoning in on the right for gay marriages.

Like most of you out there “who give a toss” I have already had the opportunity to discuss this subject with people of opposing thoughts. I must say that when one truly takes in whatever everyone has to say, one starts to look at things differently.

My first reaction to gay marriage is a downright no! I have nothing against gay people; in fact, I have quite a few friends who are gay. If this is who they are, who am I to want them differently? They, too, should enjoy all important rights enjoyed by heterosexual persons.

However a marriage is between a man and a woman. Or is it? Why not call it a “union”? Then again, what’s in a name and in terminology as opposed to a way of life?

There is also the big question of “should gay people then be officially allowed to raise kids?” Aren’t children better off being brought up in an environment wherein they can “learn” mother and father roles? Different thoughts and ways of looking at this matter are surely exchanged here. I was recently rather intrigued by an argument made by a very good friend of mine who favours gay marriages and who has no problem having gay people raising kids.

The question of love and desire!

If two people (my friend argued) truly love each other and desire to share their lives, who are we to stop them? This argument of love and desire can also be applied to raising children. If two gay people can shower a child (whether adopted or biologically born to one of the couple) with love and attention, why should we stop this from happening? Wouldn’t they be better off from other kids in a “traditional marriage” which is in turmoil?

The question and my concern come out automatically: Where do we draw the line? My fear is that this could lead to another situation which until now has been completely disallowed in western countries. If a man truly loves and desires to live with two women, and each of the women honestly desire and love to share their lives with a man and another woman, should we then use the same argument?

And if these three people living together and who truly love and desire each other, also wish to raise children, what can we then say to that? In this unit, a raised child would have the possibility of witnessing a male and a female role. So in a way, the problem under the first scenario is lessened!

Society is truly evolving and one can argue that morals are directly related to “what we are accustomed to”, “what is traditionally accepted”. Sometimes, parameters enveloping what is right and wrong are vague.

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

Independent: Interview: Building bridges with a Church we strongly feel part of – Drachma Parents

2012-01-04T17:56:00.001-03:00

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=137384
27 December 2011 by Chiara Bonello

"Our raison d'être is that of building bridges with a church we strongly feel a part of," Drachma parent Anna* tells Chiara Bonello, as they speak about the founding of the Drachma Parents' Group, which is committed to helping parents deal with their children's 'coming out'. The problems young people encounter with their families when coming out in Malta calls for a change in mentality.

It was during a talk by Sister Jeanine Gramick that the idea of the Drachma Parents Group was born. It was founded three years ago, in 2008, and Anna and Michael* were among the founding members. The idea is to offer support to parents and relatives of LGBT people and to build bridges with the Church, so those who may have distanced themselves from it may find a place there again.

Michael explains that the Drachma Parents' Group is a Catholic/Christian group which hopes to create more awareness and acceptance, although he adds with a smile that it is not a case of them seeing that they are going to change everything, certainly not in his lifetime.

He admits that the Us and Them mentality unfortunately remains imbued in many, although Anna points out that acceptance is not really a problem among peers of LGBTs. "Rather it is the older generation that tends to experience difficulty and mainly because of what I call a 'cobweb mentality', due to our poor understanding about this reality."

Anna goes on to admit that this is most probably due to what they've been taught, and the influence of the Church's teachings on how one views homosexual relationships.

"This creates a dilemma, since as a parent you wonder about integrating morality with accepting your child. There is a need to learn and read more, but this is not always accessible to all," she says, adding that she knows for a fact that some parents do not accept their children's 'coming out', which causes a major traumatic experience for the child.

Instead of being embraced after having made such a difficult step forward, they are sadly being penalised by their parents, she says, adding that this time of year is usually hard for many families. It is a very sad truth that they must battle issues such as whether their son's partner or their daughter's partner should attend Christmas events with the wider family or not.

The inspiration for the name Drachma stems from Luke, Chapter 15, which deals with the lost sheep, the lost drachma and the prodigal son. In the Gospel the father rejoices when his lost son returns, but unfortunately some parents do not rejoice when they find what their children were painfully hiding.

"In some cases I think the Church is preaching to the converted, since it does not approach those who have distanced themselves from it," she says, adding that before her son came out he had distanced himself from the Church and the extended family gatherings.

"At the time I knew something was not right, as whilst he insisted he was fine, he was distancing himself from the family and the Church, as well as losing weight. By the time he came out to me it was a relief, as I was imagining something far worse," she admits.

Anna goes on to say that how children feel about their 'coming out' depends primarily on the quality of the relationship they share with their parents - whether it is one in which the child feels they can be themselves, or if the parents have a tendency to be judgmental.

In some cases the child will also carry out a series of 'tests', trying to gauge their parents' reactions to minority groups, for instance. Sometimes, however, they are still shocked by their parents' negative reactions when they do actually 'come out', she says, adding that this is ultimately something beyond their child's control, and they deserve love and acceptance.

"To me it was a big boost that my son felt comfortable trusting me so much, as the pain for a parent is that their child was struggling alone for so long. Thankfully my son was strong, but what about those who are less so?" she questions.

She explains that her initial reaction was that it was just a phase, but when she saw her 17 year old son's face, and realised he was certain, she told him that he would have to teach her. She also admits that she was not ready to give up belonging to the Church. Therefore, reconciling both truths was crucial to her.

Michael admits that his situation was somewhat different, as his daughter 'came out' when she was around 27 and had been in a steady relationship with a man, which suddenly broke up. "Although we should have noticed then, we didn't, although my wife kept insisting that this could be the case," he says.

He went on to say: "In my opinion it is harder for a woman to come out in Malta than it is for a man, although in our case it was no problem," adding that he did however tend to become rather more protective of his daughter after this.

"My daughter's partner comes home and is invited everywhere – she's part of the family. Acceptance was gradual, but it is there," he says, adding that grandparents, for example, are another story, as they have never mentioned it.

Anna asserted that she did not want to hide this from her siblings, who she is very close to, but thankfully their reaction was very accepting. "My elderly mother took it very matter of factly, but won't mention it again," she says.

Although Drachma is not a large organisation, it is very active, Michael adds, explaining that they meet monthly and organise mass and a party at Christmas time and Easter time, which are both open to the general public.

In fact, only a nucleus of eight to ten parents remains, and other people come and go. People seem to come to assure themselves they are not alone, but for a variety of reasons attendance then peters out.

"We have also had meetings with the Church (Archbishop), and both had the opportunity to express how we feel about the situation, which was where there was a bit of a deadlock," he admits, adding that although the Church accepts homosexuals, it does not accept homosexuality.

Intervening, Anna questions how the Church could expect a mother to discriminate between the relationships of her two sons with their respective partners, as to her, this would jar. She admits the Roman Catholic Church has gone much further than other religions in bridging the gap, but it still remains far off by her standards when it comes to sexuality.

Although there is a law against discrimination, there are still people who get away with discriminating against LGBT people, Michael says, adding that the people in power need to do a lot more to fight such discrimination.

There are currently five groups working to create awareness and fight for more rights for persons having a different sexual orientation. These are: the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM), Drachma LGBT, Drachma Parents Group, We are and LGBT Labour.

While MGRM works on a political and legal level, Drachma works on bringing people who have distanced themselves from the Church back in touch and We Are works at creating a space on campus where it's ok to be different. In fact the University Chaplaincy has taken great strides forward in the past year and a half, in getting people to be more accepting, she admits.

Anna questions how society can remain idle when it knows some young people are being rejected by their own families and their world is crumbling around them. In fact some of them consider, and even attempt, suicide. In Catholic Malta we need to decide not to accept this reality and be proactive about it, she says, by offering more knowledge.

Once labelled a child will often see hell, as anyone who is slightly different will find it very difficult in a society such as ours, where we tend to compartmentalise everything and consequently fear whatever we cannot understand. This in turn stunts growth, Michael explains.

Anna admits that there have been occasions where thoughtless gestures by some may have hurt her, but she knows they were not badly intentioned and she took these as opportunities to educate. "Helping where I can to educate on this subject, is my contribution to society," she says.

She thinks Malta is heading into a new phase, in which a number of new issues such as marriage equality for same sex partners will emerge and Drachma must have a clear stance on these. It is currently still in the process of discerning, understanding and assessing what's happening in other countries.

The next step will be to register Drachma as an NGO with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, she said, adding that they also wish to register it within the Archdiocese of Malta as a recognised body, as this would make it easier to reach out to parents, as parishes would be more willing to accept them.

Speaking about the MGRM campaign, which is supported by Voices, Anna admits that in so far as it is allowed to penetrate well into the educational sector it can help to create more awareness. The campaign aimed at the parents would help to better understand how precious our relationship with our child indeed is.

She admits that some parents will do whatever they can to stop this campaign going through at schools – and maybe in the past she might have agreed, but today she sees things differently. If I can prevent one suicide then the campaign is worth it.

Anna's message is to love unconditionally, something not everyone is ready to do, and accept fully the reality which was hidden. "After all, love rejoices in truth, so if my child's truth has come out I should rejoice in it."

Drachma will be holding its Christmas Mass, which is open to the public, tomorrow at 6.30pm at the Millennium Chapel, Paceville. It will be followed by a small party.