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

L-Orizzont: Espress aktar tħassib dwar kummenti ta’ Imam

2009-11-25T19:21:00.002+01:00

[Dan l-artiklu mhux fuq is-sit ta' l-Orizzont s'issa.]
25.11.9 Minn SAMMY SAMMUT

Il-Moviment Graffitti ingħaqad ma’ movimenti oħrajn f’espressjoni ta’ tħassib serju għal kummenti li saru mill-Mexxej Musulman f’Malta, l-Imam Mohamed El Sadi fejn dan, fost dikjarazzjonijiet oħrajn, qabbel iż-żwieġ bejn żewġ persuni tal-istess sess ma’ żwieġ bejn kelb u qattus u fejn tkellem dwar prattiċi inumani biex tissanzjona lil min ikun wettaq ċertu reati.

L-Imam El Sadi għamel dawn il-kummenti waqt li kien qed jieħu sehem fuq il-programm televiżiv ‘Bondiplus’, li jixxandar fuq l-istazzjon tal-istat lokali, PBS. Fost oħrajn, El Sadi saħaq li, b’konformità tal-Liġi tax-Sharia, il-qtugħ tal-idejn ta’ persuna ħatja ta’ serq huwa ‘kastig mistħoqq’ għax nies bħal dawn ma ħaqqhomx aħjar. Huwa qal ukoll li jaqbel mal-kastigi li jingħataw lil persuni omosesswali, minkejja li f’ċerti pajjiżi Musulmani l-kastig jista’ jinkludi saħansitra għomor il-ħabs u f’ċerti każi anke l-mewt.

L-ewwel persuna li esprimiet l-oppożizzjoni qawwija tagħha għal dawn il-kummenti kien l-Inġinier Patrick Attard, li mhux biss kien l-ewwel kandidat li kkontesta elezzjoni ġenerali li ddikjara bil-miftuħ li huwa gay iżda hu magħruf sew għal ħidma sfiqa tiegħu favur it-tħaris tad-drittijiet fundamentali tal-persuni LGBT.

L-inġinier Attard qal li kien ixxukjat bil-kummenti li għamel El Sadi meta attribwixxa l-qilla ta’ Alla fid-dinja għall-aċċettazzjoni akbar ta’ persuni gay. Din ma kienetx l-ewwel darba li mexxejja Musulmani taw x’jifhmu li diżastri naturali li seħħew fid-dinja, bħalma ma kien it-Tsunami, huma riżultat tal-fatt li qed ikun hawn aktar nies li jaċċettaw persuni gay. Patrick Attard fi stqarrija li ħareġ qal li xtaq isaqsi lill-Imam jekk hu jaqbilx mal-qtil ritwali u l-eżekuzzjoni ta’ persuni gay f’ċerti pajjiżi Musulmani, bħal per eżempju t-tgħalliq taż-żewġ żgħażagħ Mahmoud Asgari u Ayaz Marhoni għas-sempliċi raġuni li dawn setgħu kienu persuni gay. Staqsa wkoll lil El Sadi jekk kienx qiegħed jissuġġerixxi li anke f’Malta persuni gay jibdew jingħataw il-mewt.

L-Inġinier Attard qal li l-Imam għandu jkun ġrat lejn il-komunità Maltija ta’ bejn 15,000 u 30,000 persuna gay jew lesbjani li bit-taxxi li jħallsu qegħdin jgħinu biex ikunu salvati eluf ta’ persuni Musulmani li qegħdin jaħarbu mit-tbatijiet, sofferenzi u l-gwerer li hemm f’art twelidhom, u biex dawn jingħataw kenn fejn joqgħodu flimkien ma’ ħtiġijiet oħra bażiċi, bħal ikel u xorb. “L-Imam El Sadi għandu jagħmel apoloġija lill-persuni kollha gay u lesbjani Maltin u Għawdxin”, saħaq Patrick Attard.

Min-naħa tagħha, il-kelliema ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika għad-Drittijiet Ċivili, Yvonne Evejer qalet li “AD tirrispetta d-dritt ta’ kulħadd li jipprattika t-twemmin reliġjuż tiegħu, iżda qatt ma nistgħu naċċettaw dikjarazzjonijiet simili għal dawk ta’ El Sadi li, apparti li huma kuntrarji għal-liġijiet Maltin, jwasslu biex tinxtered aktar mibgħeda, vjolenza u nuqqas ta’ rispett lejn id-dinjità tal-persuna umana”.

Issa anke l-Moviment Graffitti ħareġ jikkumenta dwar id-dikjarazzjonijiet pubbliċi magħmulin mill-Imam El Sadi. Il-Moviment Graffitti jgħid li għalkemm għandna nirrispettaw kull twemmin reliġjuż, ir-rispett għandu jiġi wkoll mingħand dawn ta’ l-ahhar lejn kull persuna, irrispettivament mill-orjentazzjoni sesswali tagħha. “Persuni omosesswali għandhom ihossuhom irrispettati f’kull pajjiż u naqblu wkoll li dawn in-nies għandhom jigu rikonoxxuti bhala koppji u jgawdu mill-istess drittijiet li jgawdu minnhom koppji eterosesswali. Nemmnu ukoll li d-drittijiet fundamental tal-bniedem għandhom jgħoddu għal kulhadd, inkluż dawk li jkunu nstabu hatja ta’ xi reat kriminali,” qal il-Moviment Graffitti.

Kompla jgħid li wieħed jifhem li l-kummenti ta' El Sadi ma jirrappreżentawx lill-Musulmani kollha, bl-istess mod li kummenti omofobiċi li ġieli ntqalu minn rappreżentanti tal-Knisja Kattolika ma jirrapreżentawx lill-Kattoliċi kollha.

Il-Moviment Graffitti esprima wkoll ix-xewqa li fi żmien qrib “naraw liż-żewġ nahat jersqu iktar lejn xulxin u jkun hemm rispett reċiproku u hidma flimkien għal soċjetà iktar inklussiva.”

Times: MEPs want same-sex unions recognised across borders

2009-11-24T14:24:00.003+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091124/local/meps-want-same-sex-unions-recognised-across-borders
Tuesday, 24th November 2009 by Ivan Camilleri, Brussels

A political clash is looming between EU member states and the European Parliament over a proposal to have same-sex marriages conducted in one member state recognised in others, even where it is illegal.

A parliamentary committee wants to ensure that "the principle of mutual recognition is 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".

Same-sex marriages are only legal in four of the 27 member states, namely the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Sweden.

However, under a resolution passed in the Civil Liberties Committee, marriages between gay or lesbian couples would be recognised by the other member states, even if these do not permit such nuptials.

"This means if a gay couple marries in Sweden but resides in Malta, the Maltese authorities will have to grant these EU citizens the same rights as heterosexual couples," an EP official explained.

This would be an amendment to the Stockholm programme - an EU five-year policy plan in the area of Justice and Home Affairs - which MEPs will vote upon tomorrow in plenary.

The largest group in the EP, the European People's Party (EPP), has opposed this amendment but it was still approved by the committee. It is up to tomorrow's plenary session to decide whether to accept it or not.

Sources yesterday told The Times that the parliament "will most probably approve the resolution".

"Although in reality this will not change the present system where issues related to family law are the sole competence of member states, it will send a political message that the EU is moving towards recognising same-sex marriages, even in countries such as Malta where this is illegal," the official said.

When contacted, Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil, the EPP spokesman for the committee, stressed the EPP group was against this amendment.

"I directed the EPP members in the committee to abstain instead of voting in favour of the resolution on the Stockholm programme," Dr Busuttil said.

"I am completely against this amendment and we are conducting talks with the other political groups to try to find a compromise on this delicate issue.

"Recognition of same-sex marriages conducted in certain member states cannot be imposed on other members where this is illegal. The solution I am proposing is this should only be recognised by those countries that already permit such marriages."

The Times is informed that the Maltese government is closely watching the latest developments on this issue. According to EU treaties, the final word on such a decision is up to member states and not the EP.

If accepted by the Parliament, the amendment as inserted in the Stockholm programme would come before the European Council where still resistance would be likely.

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

[Note: Dr Simon Busuttil with his comments is now clearly breaking his commitment he made by signing the petition of International Lesbian-Gay Association just before the June MEP elections. See the text of the petition here.

It will be very interesting to see how Mr David Casa will vote since in an interview with the Times he said that the Prime Minister promised the introduction of gay partnership in Malta in this legislation and that HE voted in favour of this motion. See the video here. Scroll to: 4:38.]

Times: Apology due to gay, lesbian community

2009-11-24T14:18:00.003+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091124/letters/apology-due-to-gay-lesbian-community

Tuesday, 24th November 2009 by Patrick Attard, Naxxar

I was shocked to read (November 19) that the Muslim leader in Malta, Imam Mohamed El Sadi, attributes the wrath of God in the world to the acceptance of gay people. It is not the first time natural disasters are attributed to the increasing acceptance of gay people as was the tsunami which hit Thailand in 2004, which was called God's punishment for homosexuality by some Muslim leaders.

I would like to ask the Imam if he agrees with the ritual murder or execution of gays in the Muslim world - for example, the public hanging of gay teenagers Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni in Iran in 2005. I also would like to ask if he is suggesting that people who are gay should be executed in Malta.

The Imam should be grateful to the 15,000 to 30,000 Maltese gay and lesbian taxpayers who help fund the search-and-rescue, shelter and distributed food to his Muslim brothers and sisters who are fleeing hardship and war from their own Muslim country.

The Imam should issue a clear apology to all Maltese and Gozitan gays and lesbians. The Imam explicitly delivered a message Josef Ratzinger has been hiding in euphemisms for over 23 years.

I hope that the Criminal Code (82A) will be soon amended to include sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of groups against which the incitement of hatred is punishable.

I hope that both Alternattiva Demokratika, which boasts that it doesn't only give lip service to the gay minority, and the new Labour LGBT network, which is now facing its first test, will stand up for the people they represent.

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

---

Note: AD issued a press-release which was published one day before this letter:

Times: AD says Imam should apologise

MaltaStar: Imam should apologise

2009-11-24T13:45:00.000+01:00

http://www.maltastar.com/pages/ms09dart.asp?a=5647

24.11.9 by Patrick Attard

Your Camera. Your Views.

I was shocked to read that the Muslim leader in Malta, Imam Mohamed El Sadi, attributes the Wrath of God in the world to the acceptance of gay people.

It is not the first time natural disasters are attributed to the increasing acceptance of gay people as was the Tsunami which hit Thailand (26.12.2004) which was called God's punishment for homosexuality by some Muslim leaders.

I would like to ask the Imam if he agrees with the ritual murder or execution of gays in the Muslim world, - for example the hanging of gay teenagers Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni who were publicly hung in Iran on 19.7.2005. I also would like to ask if he is suggesting that people who are gay should be executed in Malta.

The Imam should be grateful to the 15,000 to 30,000 Maltese Gay and Lesbian Tax-payers who help fund the search-and-rescue, shelter and distributed-food to his Muslim brothers and sisters who are fleeing hardship and war from their own Muslim country and being offered temporary assistance and shelter in Malta.

The Imam should issue a clear apology to all Maltese and Gozitan gays and lesbians.

The Imam delivered explicitly a message Josef Ratzinger has been hiding in euphemisms for over 23 years.

I hope that the Criminal Code (82A) will be soon amended to include sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of groups against which the incitement of hatred is punishable.

I hope that both Alternattiva Demokratika, which boasts that it doesn't only give lip service to the gay minority and the new Labour LGBT network, which is now facing its first test, will stand up for the people they represent.

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

Times: Crosses, censors and new Labour [Secularism]

2009-11-23T20:11:00.002+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091122/interview/crosses-censors-and-new-labour

22.11.9 by Christian Peregin

[You can watch the video of the interview here.]

"Events have shown that we are not a secular state, and, I fear, less secular than we used to be" - Dominic Fenech. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.

[Excerpts of the article]

History professor and former Labour general secretary Dominic Fenech warns his party against losing its soul by "pussyfooting" to pander to voters.

...

What about the ideological differences between the parties. Do you think there is a distinction between them or is it being blurred?

It is difficult to distinguish in an ideological sense the Labour Party from the Nationalist Party - and it has been difficult for some time because the PN themselves are pretty much lost. I don't know what they stand for anymore except wanting to stay in government. And I think the driving force between both parties nowadays is to stay in government or to achieve government.
In a comment you posted on timesofmalta.com you said there was too much self-censorship and that the secularisation the party fought for was being undone.

I stand by my words because in recent times there have certainly been events which have shown we are not a secular state, and, I fear, less secular than we used to be.
Give me an example.

Well, there's been a big fuss because two attractive young women went for a photo shoot in a cemetery - as if attractive young women and burial grounds were somehow mutually exclusive. There's been censorship of a particular play... and a student newspaper.

That's the most recent and it involves a student of mine who, I should say, is the kind of student who makes you proud to be an academic. Mark Camilleri risks being sent to jail. He is the editor of a student newspaper which published a story some people thought was obscene, in bad taste or offensive or immoral...

Everybody is free to have their own thoughts, but not everybody is free to punish you for having thoughts which are different to theirs. This is not a big scandalous affair. It is a very mild deviation from what you normally would expect from a student newspaper and it has faced a ban and, maybe more alarmingly, the police have been called in. And maybe actually proceeding in court.

But how does this relate to the Labour Party?

It's a mentality.

What should Labour be doing?

Labour should come out in favour of the student. Labour should ask: is this why we lost two elections back in the 1960s to assert secularisation? So that, in 2009, the chaplain of the University can go up to the Rector and say: 'Hey, what are you going to do about this immoral publication?'

The Labour Party has adopted some stands which have gone against the Church, namely taking a position in favour of divorce and gay rights. How do you reconcile these two differing approaches?

Yes, I'm pleased to know that Joseph Muscat has broached the idea of divorce. But if you ask me if we're going to have divorce in this legislature, then my answer is no, we're not going to have divorce.

What if Dr Muscat becomes Prime Minister?

I think there is a very long way to go to the next election... more than three years.

Hypothetically.

I think it would depend on how well he would do. But even that is a bit shaky. Because unless a party says it is in favour of divorce, campaigns for it, says why and tells its parliamentary group: look, this is the position of the party and you are expected to follow that position...
So don't you agree with his idea of a free vote?

In theory it's a very democratic way, but in reality you will never get a majority.

Because people within the Labour Party will vote against?

Yes, and I don't see how people in the Nationalist Party are going to vote... or enough of them, at least.

So do you think that those opposing the conservative mainstream are not going far enough?
One of the fights of Mintoff's Labour Party in his early days was to introduce civil marriage. At the time, it was a very big step. It could have lost a certain number of votes but the party in government forged ahead.

There were other issues, like the legalisation of contraceptives, which were illegal before 1971. There were other things, which the Labour Party was able to implement because it had the pro-secularist attitude. We are not against the Church or religion but we are a secularist party and in a secular society people should not have to go through the institutions or norms of the Church in order to do what is legitimate.

It should have followed, that after the introduction of civil marriage we'd have divorce. But what has happened in the past 20 years? Even the law on civil marriage back in the 1980s was whittled down and the role of the Church was brought into civil law.

So, yes, you had a slow build-up of secularism, which is good because, after all, if there is one good thing about joining the EU it is that we may come out of this cocoon of ecclesiastical paternalism. I'm not saying that all the Church and priests are like this but....

There is the controversial issue of crucifixes in classrooms currently being discussed. The Labour Party said secularism does not mean doing away with religious symbols. Do you think it does?
I'm quite indifferent to this. I think it's a foolish issue to begin with. If I go into a lecture room, whether the lecture is a good or bad lecture depends on how prepared I am. Whether there is a crucifix or not is not going to make any difference to my performance or to the students' ability to understand me.

But as somebody who strongly believes in secularism, do crucifixes in classrooms offend you?
They don't offend me but they don't please me. I said I'm indifferent. And if people feel better with it in class, let them feel better. But if secularists are going to be prepared to go along with an icon of the Catholic religion, then the Church and those who support it should be equally respectful of those who do not like to have certain religious overtones to things which should be secular.

So, obviously, if it comes to a question of whether we are going to have a fight in this country for secularism or not, then it will be a free-for-all. And then the secularists are going to have to be against crucifixes.

Including yourself?

I'm indifferent on this particular issue. But I expect that if people are free to have crucifixes and I'm not supposed to feel upset by that, then they should not be upset if someone writes something or puts on a play that offends their morals.

What did you think of the Archbishop's comments on censorship (on the crucifix issue)?

The Archbishop now knows what it means to be censored. I'm against censorship. I wouldn't censor the Archbishop. To be fair, I don't think it's the Archbishop himself. There are members of the clergy who are putting their head up again. And there are people, who may be lay Christians, who can be sometimes more pope-ish than the Pope.

I don't know, for example, whether it was a priest or some bigoted fanatic who went to the police and drew their attention to two undressed mannequins in a Mosta shop window. I mean, is there anything less sexy than a naked mannequin? And this was for a cause (to raise awareness about sex exploitation).

...

Prof. Dominic Fenech, 58 is a History professor at the University of Malta; Head of Department of History; Dean of the Faculty of Arts; He was the Labour Party general secretary (1977 - 1983)

Times: How the Imam stole my hands

2009-11-23T20:01:00.002+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091122/opinion/how-the-imam-stole-my-hands

Sunday, 22nd November 2009 by Mark-Anthony Falzon

Where the Inquisition left off, the Imam picked up. Just when we thought we had heard it all, along came Mohammed El Sadi on last week's Bondiplus to tell us it is only natural that thieves should have their hands chopped off.

He was also generous with encores, as befits his smiling and benevolent persona. In an interview carried in Thursday's The Times, the Imam informed us of the 'wrath of God' at things like homosexuality and same-sex marriage. He also said (as reported) that "under Sharia law such crimes may even be punishable by death".

The Imam finds 'Sharia law' sort of agreeable. After all, if the Lord seems to take issue with same-sex marriage rather than, say, African children dying of eminently avoidable diseases, who are we to argue? Off with their groomed heads I say.

It's not the first time the Imam has shared his wisdom with us. In March 2007, for example, he told maltastar.com of - you guessed it - the wrath of God at - yes, yes - homosexuality.

Thankfully, he stopped short of describing what 'Sharia law' would choose to amputate in that case.

Makes me wonder what Heaven must be like, ruled by a divinity perennially furious at thieves and gays and ever-hungry for bloody souvenirs of their sins. It also makes me wonder what our country would be like ruled by men like Mohammed El Sadi.

Not just wonder in fact, but do something to prevent it. Far from one of 'recession of values' and the other nonsense that some politicians talk about, we are actually living in a time of unprecedented freedom and civil liberties. And I don't want the Imam or anyone else to touch that, thank you very much.

The obvious solution is one we come across very often. It goes as follows. The Imam is the voice of Islam in Malta; Muslims are outsiders (as in immigrants) here; the easiest way to get rid of their views is to get rid of them entirely; we must therefore resist the migration of Muslims into Malta.

Lest my readers think I cannonball the heads of infidels across the harbour in my spare time, I rush to add that the above paragraph is nonsense. There are many reasons why xenophobia and/or Islamophobia won't get us anywhere.

First, we must consider to what extent the Imam really represents Muslims in Malta, or anywhere. The answer is ambiguous. Structurally and formally, he certainly does not. Islam doesn't have a catechism or bishops and things. There is one Koran but very many schools of interpretation.

Tangibly, I know for a fact that many Muslims would disagree that thieves should have their hands chopped off. I personally know two Egyptian Muslims who attended the Corradino mosque once and ran a mile.

The argument applies elsewhere. Of late a certain Rajan Zed, who apparently is based in the States, has been sending missives about the (lack of) rights of Hindus in Malta. But then Rajan Zed is quite simply self-appointed. Hindus have lived happily in Malta for over 140 years, and they don't need anyone to tell them how to cope here. All of which warns us of the danger of talking about 'religious/community leaders'.

At the same time, this is rather too easy. There is a sense in which the Imam does represent Muslims in Malta. He certainly enjoys widespread moral legitimacy among them, and he is involved in the running of a school that, by his own saying on Bondiplus, educates children in the values of (his, presumably) Islam. (A terrifying thought that children are being inspired by values such as that 'criminals' - easy isn't it? - should also be amputees, and gays 're-educated' or dead.)

One might also expect, if the Imam is not representative, moderate Muslims publicly to distance themselves from his ideas. Until they do, we can't really be blamed for assuming El Sadi is the voice of Islam in Malta.

Whether or not he is, there are other reasons why the 'xenophobic' paragraph above is misguided. First, it is not true that Muslims are outsiders here - there are many, and counting, Maltese nationals who are actually Muslims. Second, my issue is with the Imam's ideas, not his immigration papers. In sum, El Sadi and whoever else have as much right to live here as I do. There's a second possible way of dealing with the Imam, and that's to silence him - never again to invite him on national television, block his access to newspapers, haul him to court if he persists in speaking his mind, and such. For reasons I explained three weeks ago in my column on Nick Griffin and the BNP, I think this second option is as bad as the first.

Which leaves us with a third solution: politics. The surest and most acceptable way of consigning the Imam's views where they really belong is to engage them politically. This is what The Times did when it invited people to comment on his 'hands-free gays' rant.

I would have expected many more individuals and groups to come out.

This has to do partly with political correctness, partly complacency. On the first, it somehow feels 'not quite right' to contest the Imam. For we're supposed to be multicultural and celebrate diversity no? Hmm.

The biggest pitfall in all this is probably complacency. The belief that is, that respect towards the dignity of criminals and gays (only coupled here because of the case in question) is somehow natural, and that rabid views like the Imam's are temporary aberrations which will just go away. My guess is they won't.

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

It-Torċa: Ħaddiema LGBT

2009-11-23T16:54:00.002+01:00

http://www.it-torca.com/news.asp?newsitemid=8706

22.11.9; minn Geitu Mercieca, Deputat Segretarju Ġenerali, GWU

Wiehed mill-ogħla prinċipji fundamentali huwa li kull persuna titwieled ħielsa bl-istess drittijiet u dinjità. Dan il-prinċipju universali intrinsikament ifisser li ħadd m’għandu jsofri diskriminazzjoni, la fis-soċjetà u wisq anqas fuq il-post tax-xogħol, minħabba razza, twemmin, sess jew orjentazzjoni sesswali.

Fuq dan it-twemmin ukoll hija msejsa d-difiża trejdunjonistika għad-drittijiet tal-bniedem fuq livell ġenerali u d-drittijiet tal-ħaddiem fuq il-post tax-xogħol fil-livell partikolari.

Għalhekk minn dan il-prinċipji joħroġ l-impenn tat-trade unions biex il-postijiet tax-xogħol, fejn ikun hemm rikonoxximent industrijali, dawn ikunu ħielsa minn kull forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni u jkun hemm l-ugwaljanza fir-rispett għad-dinjità umana irrispettivament mill-orjentazzjonijiet sesswali, kultura, razza, sess jew twemmin.

Il-GWU qatt ma qagħdet lura milli tiddiskuti b’mod miftuħ issues soċjali li jaħarqu. Il-GWU qatt ma beżgħet tindirizzahom l-aktar meta dawn ikun hemm min jipprova jew ma jagħtihomx l-importanza meħtieġa, inkella jaħbihom qishom ma jeżitux. Hekk għamlet il-GWU meta biss ftit tax-xhur ilu ħadmet u ħarġet policy paper fuq l-immigranti irregolari.

Dak inhar, u sa ċertu punt anki llum, ħafna huma dawk il-Maltin li qiegħdin juru l-għadab għal dawn il-persuni, għax aktar jinteressahom li juru li dawn l-immigranti irregolari qiegħdin jieħdu x-xogħol tal-Maltin, milli fil-verità joħroġ ir-razziżmu, il-mibegħda u sa ċertu punt l-isfruttament li qed issaltan ġo dawn il-Maltin.

Bħala GWU mill-ewwel għa-rafna li kienet responsabbiltà tagħna li nfehmu li dawn l-immigranti irregolari għandhom drittijiet, u għandhom ikunu rispettati bħal kull uman ieħor jiġi minn liema pajjiż jiġi. Kieku ma konniex kuraġġużi konna nkunu qiegħdin ninkoraġġixxu biex tinħoloq klassi oħra li tkun mistmerra.

U fuq hekk l-aktar li ridna nibnu, ċioè fuq li ma nħallux min jabbuża minn dawn il-persuni meta jħaddmuhom, ma nħallux lil min jiddiskrimina magħhom minħabba l-kulur tal-ġilda tagħhom, kif ukoll biex min iħaddem ma jużahomx għall-interessi tagħhom, biex jagħmel profitti minn ħidmiethom billi jħaddimhom f’kundizzjonijiet prekarji.

Policy paper oħra importanti li wkoll ħdimna għaliha fil-Kungress Nazzjonali f’Ottubru li għadda kienet tinvolvi d-dinja tax-xogħol għall-persuni Leżbjani, Gay, Bisesswali u Transgender (LGBT). Din il-policy paper poġġiet ukoll sfida għall-GWU, għax għalina ma kinitx faċli li nsawru politika bl-iswed fuq l-abjad fuq suġġett daqstant delikat, u li kważi saħansitra għadu kkonsidrat bħala stigma fis-soċjetà tagħna.

Il-GWU fasslet din il-policy paper wara li ġabret informazzjoni utli mingħand persuni LGBT biex b’hekk kienet f’pożizzjoni li tagħti ħjiel tas-sitwazzjoni ta’ dawn il-ħaddiema f’pajjiżna u barra minn xtutna. Barra minn hekk, il-GWU analizzat x’pożizzjoni għandha l-Organizzazzjoni Dinjija tax-Xoghol (ILO) u x’pożizzjoni ħadet s’issa l-Konfederazzjoni Ewropea tat-Trade Unions (ETUC), li tagħha l-GWU hija affiljata, fuq din l-issue.

Ħafna trade unions f’bosta pajjiżi f’dawn l-aħħar snin għamlu fost il-prijoritajiet prinċipali tagħhom il-ġlieda kontra d-diskriminazzjoni fuq bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Infatti sar progress qawwi f’dan ir-rigward f’bosta mill-pajjiżi tal-Unjoni Ewropea fosthom bl-introduzzjoni ta’ leġiżlazzjoni kontra kull forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni li espliċitament tinkludi wkoll lil persuni ta’ kwalunkwe orjentazzjoni sesswali.

Saru wkoll liġijiet li llegalizzaw iż-żwieġ jew partnership bejn żewġ persuni tal-istess sess, bl-istess drittijiet u rikonoxximent ta’ żwieġ normali kif ukoll l-aċċettazzjoni ta’ dawn il-persuni f’pożizzjonijiet ta’ tmexxija, fosthom fil-politika, bħala senior management u fit-tmexxejja ta’ trade unions.

F’pajjiżna, bħal f’kull pajjiż ieħor, minkejja li bdejna nirrikonoxxu u nifhmu l-ħtieġa ta’ miżuri li jikkumbattu d-diżugwaljanzi, sa anki liġijiet għandna li jipprojbixxu d-diskriminazzjoni f’kull forma tagħha, madankollu d-diskriminazzjoni għadha prevalenti, anke jekk b’mod sottili, f’diversi oqsma.

Fil-fatt persuni b’orjentazzjoni sesswali għadhom mhux biss ikunu diskriminati iżda anke żżuffjettati u abbużati verbalment u fiżikament fuq il-postijiet tax-xogħol u anke fil-ħajja soċjali tagħhom.

F’laqgħa li bħala Union sejjaħna għall-ewwel working group għall-ħaddiema LGBT, ħareg ċar kemm għad hawn persuni li jippreferu jibqgħu jaħbu l-orjentazzjoni sesswali tagħhom milli joħorġu fil-beraħ u juru l-inklinazzjoni vera tagħhom minħabba li jemmnu li l-poplu, anke l-familji tagħhom stess, għadhom mhux lesti li jaċċettawhom kif inhuma.

Il-policy paper tal-GWU fuq persuni LGBTs intlaqgħet b’sodisfazzjon minn għadd ta’ organizzazzjonijiet, anke internazzjonali, kif ukoll ingħatat pubbliċità għax hija l-ewwel policy paper minn trade union Maltija tax-xorta tagħha.

Tant il-policy paper intlaqgħet tajjeb anke barra minn Malta li l-GWU kienet mistiedna mill-Ministeru tal-Iżvezja biex rappreżentant tal-GWU jagħmel preżentazzjoni fuqha bħala best-practice, xi ħaġa li tikkonferma kemm veru l-GWU dejjem tkun fuq quddiem biex tiġġieled l-istigmi u ‘tabelli oddjużi’ li għadhom jeżistu f’pajjiżna.

Il-GWU dejjem ħadmet u se tibqa’ taħdem biex dawn il-‘ħitan’ jitkissru fl-interess tal-persuni milquta. Il-GWU se tkompli taħdem favur LGBT u mal-working group is-sena d-dieħla ttella’ konferenza nazzjonali biex flimkien ma’ nies esperti kif ukoll ma’ membri parlamentari miż-żewġ naħat tal-kamra tidentifika diffikultajiet li jiltaqgħu magħhom il-ħaddiema LGBTs.

Il-GWU beħsiebha taħdem ukoll biex tqajjem diskussjoni nazzjonali fuq x’għandu jsir f’pajjiżna b’mod konkret u mingħajr dewmien biex dawn il-problemi jkunu identifikati u indirizzati. Il-GWU temmen f’dak li tgħid u bil-mezzi tagħha se tgħin biex id-dinjità ta’ dawn il-persuni tkun imħarsa.

---

Ara wkoll:

It-Torċa: Ix-xogħol: waħda mill-problemi kbar li jiltaqgħu magħha persuni LGTB

Times: AD says Imam should apologise

2009-11-23T16:47:00.001+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091123/local/ad-says-imam-should-apologise

Monday, 23rd November 2009

Alternattiva Demokratika Żgħażagħ has expressed its disapproval of Imam Mohamed El Sadi's views on his "explicit" homophobia and his justifying physical violence on people who commit a criminal offence.

ADŻ spokesman Dirk Urpani said: "While we are all out for freedom of speech, it is highly irresponsible for a religious leader to promote anti-social policies."
Though he was referring to non-European countries, certain rights were universal and acts such as cutting off hands of people convicted of theft should be condemned by anyone living in a democratic country, he added.

Mr El Sadi's homophobic references were equally disgusting and he should apologise to the gay community, especially for ridiculing same-sex marriages or unions by comparing them to "marrying a cat or a dog", AD said.

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

It-Torċa: Ix-xogħol: waħda mill-problemi kbar li jiltaqgħu magħha persuni LGTB

2009-11-23T16:37:00.002+01:00

http://www.it-torca.com/news.asp?newsitemid=8723

22.11.9

“Persuni lesbjani, irġiel gay, bisesswali u persuni trans-gender (LTGB) qiegħdin jaffaċjaw problemi kbar fis-soċjetà, anki f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam ma’ xogħol. Meta tmur tfittex ix-xogħol, jgħidulek; jien ma inħaddimx nies bħalek, mingħajr ma jkunu jafu min int jew x’taf”

Hekk sostniet Brenda Scerri, persuna transgender meta kienet ikkuntatjata mit-TORĊA, fejn esprimiet il-ħsi-bijiet tagħha dwar il-problemi li qed jaffaċjaw persuni LGTB fis-soċjetà Maltija u dan anke, fid-dawl tal-policy paper im-fassla mill-General Workers Union (GWU) li tiddiskuti d-drittijiet ta’ dawn il-persuni fuq il-post tax-xogħol. Din il-policy paper kienet approvata mill-Kungress Nazzjonali tal-GWU li sar fil-5 ta’ Ottubru li għadda.

Brenda Screrri sostniet li, dawk li jħaddmu hemm bżonn li jkunu konxji li persuna trans-gender fuq il-post tax-xogħol “tgħaddi minn martirju sħiħ bħal bullying, tkasbir u iżola-ment”. Filwaqt li qalet li hi qatt ma għaddiet minn esperjenzi koroħ bħal dawn, kellha titlaq minn postijiet tax-xogħol min-ħabba ċirkostanzi simili min-kejja li kellha xogħol għal qalbha.

Fid-dawl ta’ dan kollu, Brenda tgħid li l-leġislaturi li kienu favur biex Malta issir membru tal-Unjoni Ewropea “sal-lum għadhom ma għad-dewx liġi waħda favur tagħna! Tal-mistħija jien ċittadina Ewropea u inħallas it-taxxi bħal ħaddieħor … fejn huma d-drittjiet tiegħi?” staqsiet Brenda. Apparti minn hekk, Brenda tgħid ukoll li mhux talli ma tħossx li hemm xi qafas legali li jipproteġiha bħala ċittadina Ewropea, iżda lanqas għandha identità.

Qalet li kien biss bis-saħħa tal-Partit Laburista u tal-GWU, li fl-aħħar xi ħadd irealizza li LGTB ma jridu xejn iktar minn ħaddieħor, għajr li jgħixu ħajja diċenti, jkollhom xogħol u jgawdu l-familja bħal kulħadd.

Fid-dawl ta’ dan f’Summit li iddiskutat l-Ugwaljanza fil-Konferenza Presidenzjali dwar id-diskriminazzjoni, kienet imfaħħra l-inizjattiva tal-GWU biex tiġi miġġielda d-diskri-minazzjoni fil-konfront ta’ persuni LGTB. Intqal li per-mezz ta’ policy paper li l-GWU ippublikat, qiegħda tagħmel użu mill-pożizzjoni tagħha bħala l-akbar Union tal-pajjiż, biex teduka lill-membri tagħha u iżżid il-kuxjenza dwar dan is-suġġett fost il-oplu.

Intant, it-TORĊA ħadet il-kummenti wkoll ta’ Carmen Caruana, li hija persuna gay, fejn qalet li l-problema l-kbira ta’ persuni LGTB hija l-biża’. Sostniet li ħafna minn dawn in-nies, jibżew jiftħu qalbhom ma’ sħabhom tax-xogħol fuq l-orjentazzjoni esswali tagħhom għax inkella joqogħdu jgħad-duhom biż-żmien. “Din hija sitwazzjoni skomda ħafna u twassal biex ċerti nies jitilqu mix-xogħol jew f’każijiet aktar estremi jispiċċaw bi problemi psikoloġiċi u nuqqas ta’ fiduċja fihom infushom”.

Qalet li l-problemi jibdew waqt l-interview “għax normalment l-avventura tax-xogħol tagħhom tieqaf hemm. Apparti minn hekk, ħafna minn nies jagħlqulhom il-bieb f’wiċċhom u jgħidulhom li nies bħalhom ma jimpjegawhomx. Din hija sitwazzjoni gravi ħafna għax dawn in-nies jispiċċaw jagħmlu affarijiet li ma jkununx iridu biex jgħixu”.

Fil-fehma tagħha, Carmen tgħid li f’Malta għadna lura ħafna f’kull qasam speċjalment fejn jidħol ix-xogħol. Irrimar-kat li l-unika liġi li hawn f’Mal-ta li tiproteġi lil nies LGTB hija dik ta’ fuq il-post tax-xogħol, “però liġi miktuba mhix kollox u ftit nies jafu biha”. Żiedet tgħid li l-unika Union li bdiet titkellem dwar dawn il-proble-mi hija l-GWU li dejjem uriet interess biex tissalvagwarjda l-interessi tal-ħaddiema kollha.

Sostniet li l-policy paper li ppublikat il-GWU huwa pass importanti għal nies LGTB għax b’hekk “ikunu nafu dwar kif dawn l-istituzzjonijiet qed jiddefendunha u qed jagħtu każ l-problemi tagħhom”. Qalet li l-Partit Laburista wkoll ħa inizjattiva simili meta waq-qaf fi ħdanu l-LGTB Labour.

Guardian: Brussels says churches must lift ban on employing homosexuals

2009-11-23T05:32:00.001+01:00

EU decides British government was wrong to allow exemptions under equality law

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/22/churches-lift-ban-homosexual-staff

Jamie Doward, The Observer, Sunday 22 November 2009

The government is being forced by the European commission to rip up controversial exemptions that allow church bodies to refuse to employ homosexual staff.

It has emerged that the commission wrote to the government last week raising concerns that the UK had incorrectly implemented an EU directive prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of a person's sexual orientation.

The ruling follows a complaint from the National Secular Society, which argued that the opt-outs went further than was permitted under the directive and had created "illegal discrimination against homosexuals".

The commission agreed. A "reasoned opinion" by its lawyers informs the government that its "exceptions to the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation for religious employers are broader than that permitted by the directive".

The highly unusual move means that the government now has no choice but to redraft anti-discrimination laws, which is likely to prompt a furore among church groups.

In anticipation of a possible backlash from the commission, the government has already inserted new clauses into its equality bill. But even if the bill is jettisoned, future governments will be bound by the commission's ruling.

Under the new proposals being drafted by the government, religious organisations will be able to refuse to employ homosexuals only if their job involves actively promoting or practising a religion. A blanket refusal to employ any homosexuals would no longer be possible.

"This ruling is a significant victory for gay equality and a serious setback for religious employers who have been granted exemptions from anti-discrimination law," said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. "It is a big embarrassment for the British government, which has consistently sought to appease religious homophobes by granting them opt-outs from key equality laws. The European commission has ruled these opt-outs are excessive."

The employment directive outlawing discrimination in the workplace was finalised by the European commission in 2000 and became law in the UK in early 2003, following a public consultation exercise. At the time there were accusations that the government had "caved in" to religious groups that mounted a fierce lobbying campaign to be exempted from the new laws.

Under the terms of the exemption, religious groups were allowed to refuse a position to a homosexual employee "so as to avoid conflicting with the strongly held religious convictions of a significant number of the religion's followers".

"In other words, if a significant number of followers of an organised religion didn't like it, there was no protection for a gay employee," said Keith Porteous-Wood, executive director of the National Secular Society. "Now the government must demonstrate its commitment to equality, rather than continuing to jump to the church's tune."

The EU's equal opportunities commissioner, Vladimir Špidla, said: "We call on the UK government to make the necessary changes to its anti-discrimination legislation as soon as possible so as to fully comply with the EU rules."

But religious groups expressed alarm at the move. The Christian charity, Care, said: "If evangelical churches cannot be sure that they can employ practising evangelicals with respect to sexual ethics, how will they be able to continue?"

Independent: AD lashes out at Imam

2009-11-23T04:57:00.004+01:00

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=97635

22.11.9

Alternattiva Demokratika and Alternattiva Demokratika Youth (ADZ) expressed their disapproval of Imam El Sadi views condoning the chopping off hands of thieves and his explicit homophobia.

AD believed his talk during a programme on the national station, was “shocking”, especially when El Sadi usually comes out as a moderate and well-meaning cleric.

“AD respects the right for everyone to practise their religion, but we can never accept statements, which apart from being contrary to Maltese legislation, promote hatred, violence and lack of respect for the dignity of the human person,” said AD spokesperson on Civil Rights, Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer.

“Certain rights are universal,” ADZ said in reaction to the Imam’s views.

“While we are all out for freedom of speech, it is highly irresponsible for a religious leader to promote anti-social policies,” said Dirk Urpani, ADZ spokesperson said in a separate statement.

Though he was referring to non-European countries, certain rights are universal and the cutting off hands of thieves should be condemned by anyone living in a democratic country.

Mr El Sadi’s homophobic references “are equally disgusting” Mr Urpani said. ADZ believes he should apologise to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender community, especially for ridiculing same sex marriages or unions by comparing them to marrying a cat or a dog.

ADZ said that Malta hosts refugees who have fled from the oppression of fundamentalist Muslim regimes. It is very offensive, to say the least, to people who left their country because of such persecution only to find a religious leader condoning the same practices that caused their oppression.

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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: What's wrong with chopping off thieves' hands, Imam asks

Independent: This thing called marriage: why are we bothering?

2009-11-23T04:33:00.001+01:00

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=97537

23.11.9? by Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

The legal recognition of same-sex marriage has become the clarion call for many of today’s gay and lesbian activists. Same-sex marriage, it is argued, is a basic human right that should not be the exclusive prerogative of heterosexuals. Gay men and lesbians, after all, deserve to be treated equally before the law. I agree.

Opponents of the legal recognition of same-sex marriage, on the other hand, continue to vigorously oppose the legal recognition of same-sex marriages. In 2004, in an effort to stall or put an end to possible future judicial recognition of same-sex marriages, the Australian federal government amended that country’s Marriage Act (1961) to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman voluntarily entered into for life, which union is to the exclusion of all others. An express provision in the Australian Constitution grants the federal government and only the federal government the authority to pass laws on marriage. To put it bluntly, state, local and territory governments have no business in the business of marriage. Arguably, they can legislate to recognise same sex (civil) unions and registered partnerships.

In the United states, the Defence of Marriage Act 1996 defined marriage as the legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, and a spouse as a husband or wife of the opposite sex. But differently from Australia, the US Constitution has no expression provision surrounding marriage that grants that country’s federal government exclusive power over marriage. Effectively, the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) provided that no state shall be required to give effect to a law of any other state with respect to a same-sex marriage but it did not preclude any state (or other political jurisdiction) from deciding for itself whether it wants to grant legal status to same-sex “marriage”.

In Malta, the Roman Catholic Church enjoys a privileged status. That privileged position is not afforded to any other institution or faith. Without doubt, it is the country’s most powerful lobby. Any legal recognition of same-sex marriage radically undermines the Church’s teachings on sex and sexuality and makes further inroads into the power it still enjoys over the institution of marriage. Take Section 21 of the country’s Marriage Act 1975, which provides that a marriage celebrated in Malta in accordance with the norms and formalities established by Canon Law shall not only be recognised and have the same civil effects as a marriage celebrated in accordance with the norms and formalities of the Marriage Act, but also so recognised as from the moment of its celebration. Sub-Section 23 (1) of the same Act goes on to state that an executive decision of a Catholic tribunal declaring the nullity of a Catholic marriage shall, where one of the parties is domiciled in, or a citizen of, Malta, upon its registration, have effect as if it were a decision by a court. Amazingly, Sub-Section 23 (2) bars the civil courts from re-examining the decision on the grounds that had been considered by the Catholic tribunal.

What is marriage?

Marriage means different things to different people and is entered into for a range of reasons. To some it is a sacrament, a convenient way of putting a smokescreen around the sexual act. It is also a (sexual) contract, with an offer and acceptance and a paraphernalia of duties, rights and responsibilities. To others, it is a public declaration and celebration of their love for each other and an opportunity to celebrate the event with their families and friends. Of course should your child happen to marry into a well-connected family, why not stick it up others you do not like by including a description of the nuptials in one of the leading papers, listing the titles of the bridesmaid and the best men! And you must also say where the reception was held and where the happy couple are honeymooning! Others marry because their girlfriends fall pregnant to the great relief of some parents, including I understand one prominent Maltese politician who is a great defender of the faith and the family! Some fall into marriage simply because they are unimaginative and think they have no other choice. For some marriage provides an ideal opportunity to experience what hell is like before meeting their maker.

In the past married women and children were deemed the property of the husband. Not that long ago, in common law the personal possessions of a married woman were considered to be the property of her husband who was entitled to use them as he pleased. As her husband’s property, a woman could not claim that her husband had raped her. Today’s marriage is supposedly a union between equals but some feminists still think of marriage as a patriarchal institution.

What we thought of marriage in the 70s

Most gay and lesbian activists of the 1970s would have been sickened at the prospect of same-sex marriages and even horrified at the knowledge of gay men and lesbians wanting to marry. We belonged to and felt right in the counter-culture. We took immense pride in our norms and values that ran counter to those of mainstream society. For if we thought religion was the opium of the masses, marriage struck us as a restrictive, diabolical and unproductive (except for the children) institution. After all, that was the Age of Aquarius, with hippy commune communities springing up not only in the country but also in the cities, and straight men refusing to declare their sexuality in support of their gay brothers and sisters. Such views were especially prevalent among gay liberationists, many of whom were socialist (there were many varieties of this, and frequent squabbles not unlike those among Christians) and only too happy to remind us of what Frederick Engels had written in The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the state.

But there were other reasons why we opposed marriage. Many gay men and lesbians had been victims of domestic violence. They had been bashed by their parents and siblings because of their sexuality. They had been thrown out of their homes, disinherited and left with no choice but to live on the streets, often earning their living from hustling and peddling drugs. Some had been forced to marry and have children. Family courts had refused custody and access to homosexual parents, and society often treated them as traitors. The Church blamed them for breaking up the family and helping destroy the sacred institution of marriage, which Christ apparently transformed into a sacrament after he turned water into wine. One can only speculate whether any of the drunken guests were subsequently arraigned for riding their camels while drunk?

What it means today to some gay men and lesbians

So why do today’s gay men and lesbians want to marry? Because some have had different and healthier family experiences. And because the gay movement is now more preoccupied with securing civil rights and less with confronting society! But marriage is a different institution today to what it was 30 or 40 years ago. It is seen by many, heterosexuals included, as fundamentally a civil institution. In the past few decades, the Church has been sidelined and its influence has greatly diminished. High-ranking prelates are ridiculed publicly and priests are looked upon with suspicion.

Marriage also provides gay men and lesbians with an opportunity to reinforce the partition between state and Church. It promotes equality, provides a legal safety net and ushers in a range of rights that only that institution guarantees. Marriage also provides some protection to the children of same-sex couples however they have come to be born. For some, it is also a time for partying, wasting money and honeymooning in the south of France (or Filfla if you can’t afford it). Significantly, it is an opportunity to stick it up those heterosexuals who think they own marriage!

Dr Chetcuti is a barrister and solicitor in the state of Victoria (Australia).

He is also the author of Il-Ktieb Roza: Dnub, Dizordni u Delitt? and Queer Mediterranean Memories: Penetrating the Secret History and Silence of Gay Men and Lesbian Disguise in the Maltese Archipelago

See www.queermalta.com.

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

2009-11-20T14:44:00.011+01:00

20.11.9 by Dr Inġ. Patrick Attard

I was shocked to read [Times 19.11.09] that the Muslim leader in Malta, Imam Mohamed El Sadi, attributes the Wrath of God in the world to the acceptance of gay people. It is not the first time natural disasters are attributed to the increasing acceptance of gay people as was the Tsunami which hit Thailand (26.12.2004) which was called God's punishement for homosexuality by some Muslim leaders.

I would like to ask the Imam if he agrees with the ritual murder or execution of gays in the Muslim world, - for example the hanging of gay teenagers Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni who were publicly hung in Iran on 19.7.2005. I also would like to ask if he is suggesting that people who are gay should be executed in Malta.

The Imam should be grateful to the 15,000 to 30,000 Maltese Gay and Lesbian Tax-payers who help fund the search-and-rescue, shelter and distributed-food to his Muslim brothers and sisters who are fleeing hardship and war from their own Muslim country and being offered temporary assistance and shelter in Malta.

The Imam should issue a clear apology to all Maltese and Gozitan gays and lesbians.

With regards to homosexuality, the Imam delivered explicitly a message Josef Ratzinger has been hiding in euphemisms for over 23 years.

I hope that the Criminal Code (82A) will be soon amended to include sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of groups against which the incitement of hatred is punishable.

I hope that both Alternattiva Demokratika, which boasts that it doesn't only give lip service to the gay minority and the new Labour LGBT network, which is now facing it's first test, will stand up for the people they represent.

Times: Josie Muscat's belittling of the gay community

2009-11-20T12:19:00.003+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091120/letters/josie-muscats-belittling-of-the-gay-community
Friday, 20th November 2009 by Bernard Muscat, Malta Gay Rights Movement, Mosta

In his bid to discredit the LGBT network created recently within the Labour Party, Josie Muscat (November 14) goes as low as to shamelessly place LGBT individuals and their struggle for equal rights on the same lines as "drug dealers" and "criminals", and the latters' claims to be but victims of society. His impudent association is shocking, cowardly, uncalled for and utterly disrespectful.

In his poor attempt to belittle the LGBT community in Malta, Dr Muscat seems unaware that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people occupy positions in all walks of life - from factory workers to teachers, from mechanics to academics, from lawyers to bus drivers, and indeed patients and members of staff in his own hospitals!

Somehow I am sure Dr Muscat has no qualms with LGBT patients receiving treatment in his hospitals - at a cost of course. Surprisingly, or not so much - given the barrage of unwelcome innuendos he uses in their regard - he is however firmly against LGBT individuals' rights to equal citizenship in a free and democratic society. It seems that his pledge to safeguard Maltese people's rights at European level, as he repeatedly stated was his intention before the MEP elections last May, was nothing more than a cheap electoral ploy. Or at least, his vision of the Maltese people clearly excluded any citizens who may be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

Another major blunder Dr Muscat eases himself into is his mention of the "Diverse Families, Same Love" poster campaign organised by the Malta Gay Rights Movement in occurrence of the successful ILGA-Europe 2009 Conference held in Malta in the last week of October. The bus-shelter campaign ran a series of posters showing different family forms, reminding the public of the diverse relationships in today's society and the importance of equal treatment for all family forms. Dr Muscat erroneously announced that the "propaganda [was] paid by taxpayers' money..." The campaign was in fact carried out in Malta by means of funding received by ILGA-Europe. Dr Muscat can put his mind at rest that no taxes of his were used to finance it.

As Dr Muscat's opinion article title ran, Pandora's Box is indeed opening. What is leaping out of it is dangerous and unwelcome rhetoric based on prejudice and misguided facts. If this is what AN has to offer the Maltese public, perhaps the Box had better remain securely fastened.

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

Independent: GWU’s LGBT policy

2009-11-20T04:42:00.000+01:00

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=97438

19.11.9

The General Workers’ Union has presented its policy on lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender persons at a summit convened in Stockholm by the Swedish EU presidency. It was invited to attend by the Swedish Minister of Integration after he learned that the GWU had a policy paper on LGBTs. The GWU said it was also among European trade union and social organisations which presented a declaration urging EU members and European institutions to combat all forms of discrimination in the EU.

The declaration was an initiative of the European Confederation of Trade Unions (ETUC).

Times: What's wrong with chopping off thieves' hands, Imam asks

2009-11-19T15:54:00.005+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091119/local/whats-wrong-with-chopping-off-thieves-hands-imam-asks

19.11.9 by Christian Peregin

Imam Mohamed El Sadi, the Muslim leader in Malta, believes chopping off the hands of thieves is a "deserving punishment".

Mr El Sadi made the statement during Monday's television programme Bondiplus, where he defended Sharia law, a judicial system used in some Islamic states and which can involve severe corporal punishments.

Contacted yesterday, Mr El Sadi stood by his comments and added the world was incurring the "wrath of God" through its permissiveness and destruction of spiritual and moral values, namely through the acceptance of " same-sex marriages, homosexuality, adultery and abortion".

Under Sharia law, such things are considered crimes that may even be punishable by death. When asked if he agreed with such punishments he said: "Yes, of course. I agree with everything Islamic."

The TV show discussed whether crucifixes should be banned from classrooms. When presenter Lou Bondì asked Mr El Sadi if Muslims could be more tolerant and "light-hearted" in their reactions to parody and criticism, Mr El Sadi said Europe's permissive values were not necessarily ideal.

"Are same-sex marriages a value? What is this value? If in the future the majority of people want the right for men to marry cats, dogs or horses, will we make a law to fulfil these wishes," Mr El Sadi asked.

Mr Bondì then asked whether religion should dictate the laws of the country, through, say, Sharia law.

"What is wrong with Sharia law? If someone steals, he is taking from the country or the poor, so why is it wrong to cut off his hand?" the Imam replied.

Mr El Sadi said the punishment should terrify thieves and criminals, "not the good people".
When speaking to The Times about his remarks, the Imam said: "Why don't you concentrate on what is common rather than pick on what is controversial?"

He said he was not proposing this system for Europe because it would be undemocratic. But it was also undemocratic for Muslim countries not to use it because most Muslims wanted it.
The system was practised in Saudi Arabia for centuries and yielded results but many Muslim-majority countries believed in secularism and did not employ such practice, he said.

He conceded there were different kinds of Muslims who thought of Sharia differently. "But whoever denies this is not a Muslim," he said, adding the law of God was perfect.

He said there were many safeguards to ensure Sharia law was applied justly, through a court system that depended on having several witnesses. "This does not apply to thieves who are poor or hungry. This is for people who have everything and want more; people who are greedy... The point is to frighten criminals."

Fr Renè Camilleri, who was also a guest on the programme, said he was "shocked" by the Imam's comments.

"I tried to insist violence is unacceptable. The concept is horrific to me. It is equivalent to the death penalty. I know it is what Sharia law dictates but, coming from him, such a moderate and tolerant person, I was shocked," he said, adding he never considered the Imam to be a fundamentalist.

Reacting to the television debate, anthropologist Ranier Fsadni warned against "misunderstanding" the comments and said such views were probably not shared by all Muslims in Europe.

He said many migrated because they did not like the society they lived in, while a large number of others came from countries that did not believe Sharia was prescribed by the Quran or meant to be taken literally without taking the culture of the time into context.

"Just as a priest does not necessarily represent all his community, the Imam does not necessarily represent all Muslims in Malta. Then, again, he is respected and appreciated as a pastoral leader."

Mr Fsadni said the Imam was simply being "intellectually honest" and defending his belief and was not proposing the system for Malta. He was also honest about his views of democracy and the rule of the majority.

A video clip with the Imam's comment can be viewed on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e2gtOO029U. [see below]

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

[See more comments here.]

N.Y. Times: Finding on Priests’ Sexuality and Abuse

2009-11-19T03:19:00.000+01:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/us/18brfs-FINDINGONPRI_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=us

Published: November 17, 2009; By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A preliminary report commissioned by the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops to investigate sexual abuse by members of the clergy has found no evidence that gay priests are more likely than heterosexual ones to molest children, the authors of the study said. The full report by researchers at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice will not be completed until the end of next year. But the authors said their evidence to date found no data indicating that homosexuality was a predictor of abuse.

Europa: Protection against discrimination is a human right

2009-11-19T03:17:00.000+01:00

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=mt&catId=89&newsId=636&furtherNews=yes

17/11/2009; Joint press release by the European Commission and the Swedish Presidency.

At the 3rd Equality Summit - Cooperation for Equality, around 300 participants representing governments, the European Commission, civil society, the social partners, the business sector and the media gathered in Stockholm to discuss how to cooperate on equal rights and opportunities. At the same time, negotiations chaired by the Swedish Presidency on a new anti-discrimination directive are ongoing.

A range of issues were highlighted at the conference, including diversity in the private and public sectors and how cooperation between different actors can be improved. A seminar will also be held on the role of the media with regard to diversity and equality. Two issues that will be given attention throughout are LGBT issues and the situation of the Roma.

L-Orizzont: Il-GWU tippreżenta l-‘policy’ ġdida tagħha dwar LGBTs waqt is-‘summit’ Ewropew

2009-11-19T03:13:00.000+01:00

http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=58247

18.11.9

Il-General Workers’ Union f’‘workshop’ dwar l-ugwaljan za li sar waqt is-‘summit’ fi Stokkolma l-Isvezja ppre żen tat u fissret fid-dettal il-policy li għadha kemm varat dwar persuni u ħaddiema lesbjani, gay, bisesswali u transgender (LGBT). Il-GWU ġiet mis tiedna tattendi dan is-‘summit’ mill-Ministeru tal-Integraz zjoni tal-Isvezja wara li sar jaf bil-‘policy paper’ tal-GWU dwar LGBTs.

Fl-istess ‘summit’, li kien or ganizzat mill-Presidenza Sve diża tal-UE, l-General Wor kes’ Union kienet ukoll fost l-organizzazzjoni jiet trejd un jo nistiċi u soċjali Ew ropej li flim kien ippreżen taw dikja raz zjoni li kienet tħeġ ġeġ lir-rap preżentanti tal-iStati Membri u lill-Istituzzjonijiet Ewropej biex jikkumbattu kull forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni fl-UE.

Din id-dikjarazzjoni kienet instigata mill-Konfederaz zjo ni Ewropea tat-Trejdunjins (ETUC) u s-Social Platform u ttrattat l-ugwaljanza u n-non-diskriminazzjoni bħala ingred jenti indispensabbli għas-sos tenibiltà tal-ekonomija, tas-soċ jetà u s-suq tax-xogħol fl-UE u kellha l-għan li l-‘policy makers’ jassiguraw li l-Kunsill Ewropew:

a) jadotta l-Artiklu 13 propost fid-Direttiva kontra diskriminazzjoni fuq bażi ta’ età, diżabilità, reliġjon jew twemmin u orjentament sesswali fl-is feri kollha tal-ħajja;

b) li jaħdem biex jiġu eliminati id-diskrepanzi li għadhom jeżistu fil-politika dwar l-ugwaljanza bejn is-sessi u jas sigura l-implimentazzjoni ef fettiva ta’ mainstreaming fil-po litika tal-UE;

ċ) li jkun hemm investiment qawwi fil-politika soċjali u fis-servizzi pubbliċi b’ap poġġ għall-ugwaljanza;

d) li jiġi żviluppati d-drittijiet tal-immigranti fil-politika ta’ integrazzjoni;

e) li jaħdem fi sħubija sħiħa mat-trejdunjins u s-soċjetà ċivili fil-livell nazzjonali u Ew ro pew.

Din id-dikjarazzjoni tal-ETUC u s-Social Platform saret fid-dawl tal-ħtieġa li hemm għal bażi legali ġdid u għal inizjattivi politiċi mill-Istituzzjonijiet Ewropej u l-istati membri biex jimpenjaw ruħ hom b’mod iktar qawwi ħalli jiġi assigurat it-twettieq tal-prattiċitajiet li jwasslu għall-ugwaljanza.

L-istess dikjarazzjoni kkonkludiet li biex l-ugwaljanza fl-UE ssir realtà jeħtieġ li l-isħab soċjali, partikularment it-trejd unjins u s-soċjetà ċivili jkunu involuti iktar u kif ukoll li l-Istituzzjonijiet Ewropej, il-Presi denza Ewropea attwali u l-Pre sidenzi li għad iridu jiġu jik kommettu ruħhom b’mod sħiħ li jkomplu jaħdmu biex jintlaħqu l-għanijiet li fuqhom hija bbażata d-dikjarazzjoni.

Times: Working for gays and Labour

2009-11-18T21:44:00.002+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091118/letters/working-for-gays-and-labour
Wednesday, 18th November 2009 by Albert Gauci Cunningham, Buġibba

Not much time had passed since the first public announcement of a new LGBT Network within the PL than it got the first load of flak from different quarters, some rather predictable, others less so.

This network is not trying to ram anything down anyone's throat, whether within the Labour Party or outside.

The adverts on certain bus stops around the island, contrary to the impression which someone tried to give, were not put up by the network and though in themselves they are a good initiative in trying to create awareness, what they portray does not necessarily reflect Labour's policies in this area.

Joseph Muscat has already made it clear both to the network and to the MGRM members during a meeting held at the Labour headquarters that the party does not favour the policy of child adoption for gay couples.

True, some gay people might not take this well but the Labour leader is being quite frank from the start regarding what the party could and couldn't deliver if it is returned to power.

The LGBT Network is not a threat to any family or to the family establishment; most of the members hold their families very close to their hearts and believe it is very important that while they push gay issues to the forefront, major parties should strive to strengthen families as these are the most basic and important unit that builds a stronger society.

It is not gay people, gay activists or LGBT Networks that break families but financial constraints, dishonesty, anti-social taxes and the present lack of willingness towards commitment and sacrifice.

I hope that this puts Josie Muscat's mind at rest because if he and his party want to witness the real threats to any society they need look no further than our own shores, where homophobia and xenophobia are alive and kicking. Fear of the unknown leads to hatred which then might lead to violence. These are what destroy the social equilibrium, and not gay people!

On the face of it, the setting up of an LGBT Network might seem to serve the opposite purpose, that of excluding and segregating rather than including. Bzzzzz, you're wrong! You are definitely the weakest link! Goodbye!

This network will not be organising "coffee mornings for gay people", neither will it lock gay people up in a pink dungeon full of feathers and sex toys with a dominating photo of Joseph Muscat and a banner under it with the words "gays for Joseph".

It will be made up of a core group of people working together to promote gay issues within the PL, talking to different people to see what their expectations are in this area and encouraging more gay people not only to vote Labour but also to work within it, not just in the network but throughout its structures. It will make sure that the Labour Party doesn't renege on its promise to put people with a different sexual orientation on a more equal footing (and please note the word "equal"; the LGBT Network does not want gay people to be privileged but equal).

The network also has the task of seeing that the Labour grassroots themselves continue to understand why it is important that a Labour government, as it had done in the 1970s, stands up for those people who don't have much of a voice both socially and politically.

The network's aim is to see that this country moves to a place where no one feels marginalised or less of a citizen. We definitely don't aim for jihads against any institution in this country, whether it be the Catholic Church, the Nationalist Party or anyone who feels strongly against gay civil rights. Our aim is to strive for a more inclusive society and to see that it will be a future Labour government under the leadership of Dr Muscat that works tirelessly towards this aim.

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

N.Y. Times: Argentine Gay Couple Granted Marriage License

2009-11-17T19:08:00.002+01:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/world/americas/17argentina.html?_r=1&ref=world

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS; Published: November 16, 2009

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Two men who were granted a marriage license in Buenos Aires on Monday are planning what may be the first legal same-sex wedding in Latin America.

“On December 1st we will become man and man,” said José María Di Bello, tears welling as a city clerk gave him the paperwork to marry his partner, Alex Freyre.

The couple won the right to marry when a judge ruled last week that a ban on same-sex marriage violated Argentina’s Constitution.

The mayor of Buenos Aires, Mauricio Macri, said the city would not appeal, in effect inviting other same-sex couples to pursue their rights in court.

“We have to live with and accept this reality: the world is moving in this direction,” he said.

Mr. Freyre, 39, the executive director of the Buenos Aires AIDS Foundation, and Mr. Di Bello, 41, an executive with the Argentine Red Cross, sued after being denied a marriage license in April.

Their request was granted by Judge Gabriela Seijas, who said that laws limiting marriage to a man and a woman violated the constitutional rights of equality.

The ruling sets no precedent beyond this case, but other gay and lesbian couples may cite it in court if their requests for marriage licenses are denied.

No other country in Latin America allows same-sex marriage, though some jurisdictions allow same-sex partners to form civil unions with many of the same rights.

Times: Values must be solidly anchored

2009-11-17T14:59:00.002+01:00

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091117/letters/values-must-be-solidly-anchored

Tuesday, 17th November 2009 by James A. Marples, Longview, Texas, US

I enjoyed the editorial in The Times, Values Cannot Be Taken For Granted (November 14), which points to a recent University survey indicating that students in Malta tend to have changing values which fluctuate with changing cultural norms and popular trends. The article noted how traditional values can no longer be taken for granted and how they have to be "fathomed, analysed and made our own". That sounds perfectly logical. But, I would ask: "How?"

I am a Roman Catholic myself and I agree with the vast majority of Church's teachings. I have encountered good priests and also seen some who were obviously bad priests. I know several good bishops whom I consider friends. I interact with them and learn a great deal from their spiritual guidance and immense wisdom. Not everyone is blessed with such a slate of "living reference guides" to consult on theological matters. Having said that - I think that different human beings are entitled to differing points of view. Not everyone needs to walk in perfect lockstep as clones. No one needs to be condemned as a heretic merely because of differing human perceptions. Even former Popes throughout history have misjudged others erroneously. The astronomer Galileo Galilei was condemned by a Church tribunal for his theories in physics. Over 300 years later, the late Pope John Paul II expressed regret and apologised for the errors made by the Church tribunal. So, even "traditional values" espoused by the Church can be blurred by overzealous clerics who make wild pronouncements. I find that the Church hierarchy, as well as individual parishioners need to periodically re-examine what values they champion for clarity, accuracy and reliability.

I greatly respect and revere my Church. On matters of faith which are solidly grounded by The Holy Bible, I believe the Church does quite well in outlining how the commandments of Almighty God instil the ultimate guidebook for "honourable family values". I believe the key for the successful transmission of good values onto the next generations is for society to stop using generic euphemisms and mishmashes of politically-correct terms. A "marriage" shouldn't be lumped together as a "living arrangement" or described as a statistical "relationship".

Relationships come and relationships go - but a marriage should be elevated properly as a institution: a sacrament created and ordained by Almighty God. If the authentic terminology of "Holy Matrimony" is used, our young people will see the holy permanence which makes it a centerpiece of traditional family values. Homosexuals have tried to counterfeit their own type of marriage - but they have no ability to seize Holy Matrimony by hijacking the terminology via piracy. Young people will only fathom what they themselves cherish or hold dear. Harsh dogmas, pestering and nagging won't prompt them to change their behaviours. Casual contraception, abortion and even divorce are partially due to a mindset of "living for today while ignoring the ramifications thereafter". I don't believe that young people necessarily wish to rebel; but rather, they can't learn some things second-hand. Some are destined or doomed to get burned even if told the stove is hot. The best course of action is for the Catholic Church to continue to provide solid spiritual counselling as part of the ritual of worship; but also have a kind and compassionate safety-net for one-on-one reconciliation for those in despair. Secondly, families must learn to talk openly, frankly and invitingly on every issue with everyone in their family.

Family values shouldn't be trumpeted solely because our ancestors practised them - but rather because they provide a solid roadmap for smooth civilised living with the least amount of conflict, anguish and heartache. Tenets of faith must be viewed as fundamentals of upright conduct as well as pillars of principled survival. Values must be anchored and your heart must be in the right place in order for such values to take root and be tied to your life.

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

GWU: Il-GWU tipprezenta l-policy dwar LGBTs waqt is-Summit fl-Isvezja

2009-11-17T14:55:00.001+01:00

Stqarrija ghall-Istampa u x-Xandir 17 ta' Novembru 2009

Il-General Workers Union il-bierah f'workshop dwar l-ugwaljanza li sar waqt is-summit fi Stokkolma l-Izvezja ipprezentat u fissret fid-dettal il-policy li ghadha kemm varat dwar persuni u haddiema lesbjani, gay, bisesswali u transgender (LGBT). Il-GWU giet mistiedna tattendi dan is-summit mill-Ministeru tal-Integrazzjoni tal-Izvezja wara li sar jaf bil-policy paper tal-GWU dwar LGBTs

Fl-istess summit, li kien organizzat mill-Presidenza Zvediza tal-Unjoni Ewropea, il-GWU kienet ukoll fost l-organizazzjonijiet trejdunjonistici u socjali Ewropej li flimkien ipprezentaw dikjarazzjoni li kienet theggeg lir-rapprezentanti tal-istati membri u lill-istituzzjonijiet Ewropej sabiex jikkumbattu kull forma ta¹ diskriminazzjoni fl-Unjoni Ewropea.

Din id-dikjarazzjoni kienet instigata mill-Konfederazzjoni Ewropea tat-Trejdunjins (ETUC) u s-Social Platform u ttrattat l-ugwaljanza u n-non-diskriminazzjoni bhala ingredjenti indispensabbli ghas-sostenibilita tal-ekonomija, tas-socjeta u s-suq tax-xoghol fl-Unjoni Ewropea u kellha l-ghan li l-Œpolicy makers¹ jassiguraw li l-Kunsill Ewropew:

a) jadotta l-Artiklu 13 propost fid-Direttiva kontra diskriminazzjoni fuq bazi ta¹ eta, dizabilita, religjon jew twemmin u orjentazzjoni sesswali fl-isferi kollha tal-hajja;

b) li jahdem sabiex jigu eliminati id-diskrepanzi li ghadhom jezistu fil-politika dwar l-ugwaljanza bejn is-sessi u jassigura l-implimentazzjoni effettiva ta¹ mainstreaming fil-politika tal-Unjoni Ewropea;

c) li jkun hemm investiment qawwi fil-politika socjali u fis-servizzi pubblici b¹appogg ghall-ugwaljanza;

d) li jigi zviluppati d-drittijiet tal-immigranti fil-politika ta¹ integrazzjoni;

e) li jahdem fi shubija shiha mat-trejdunjins u s-socjeta civili fil-livell nazzjonali u Ewropew.

Din id-dikjarazzjoni tal-ETUC u s-Social Platform saret fid-dawl tal-htiega li hemm ghal bazi legali gdid u ghal inizjattivi politici mill-istituzzjonijiet Ewropej u l-istati membri biex jimpenjaw ruhhom b¹mod iktar qawwi halli jigi assigurat it-twettieq tal-pratticitajiet li jwasslu ghall-ugwaljanza.

L-istess dikjarazzjoni kkonkludiet li biex l-ugwaljanza fl-Unjoni Ewropea ssir realta jehtieg li l-ishab socjali, partikularment it-trejdunjins u s-socjeta civili jkunu involuti iktar u kif ukoll li l-istituzzjonijiet Ewropej, il-Presidenza Ewropea attwali u l-Presidenzi li ghad iridu jigu jikkommettu ruhhom b¹mod shih li jkomplu jahdmu biex jintlahqu l-ghanijiet li fuqhom hija bbazata d-dikjarazzjoni.

EU Parliament: Stockholm programme : MEPs seek balance between liberty and security

2009-11-16T16:03:00.007+01:00

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/008-64078-313-11-46-901-20091109IPR64077-09-11-2009-2009-false/default_mt.htm

12.11.9; REF. : 20091109IPR64077

[Excerpt from the article. Click on the hyperlink above to view the entire article.]

A European Court of Cyber Affairs, mutual recognition by EU Member States of same-sex couples, and a set of prisoners' rights in the EU should be incorporated in the 4-year Stockholm programme of laws to consolidate EU citizens' rights, said MEPs at a joint meeting of the Civil Liberties, Legal Affairs and Constitutional Affairs committees on Thursday.

Members agreed on the need to strengthen the EU's common policy on the fight against terrorism, organised crime, illegal immigration, human trafficking and sexual exploitation. A comprehensive set of legal remedies should be offered to victims of crime and in particular trafficking in human beings and gender violence. Ethnic minorities are especially vulnerable, as they also face the risk of becoming victims of discrimination and racist crime, MEPs say.

The committees called for a European strategy aiming at eradicating violence against women, including prevention measures, policies on the protection of victims, in particular young girls, and concrete measures to prosecute perpetrators.

...

Mutual recognition applied to same-sex couples in the EU

The committees called on Member States to ensure that the principle of mutual recognition is 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.

...

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L-Orizzont: ILGA–Europe sodisfatta bis-suċċess miksub

2009-11-16T15:58:00.001+01:00

http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=58210

16.11.9 minn Sammy Sammut

Il-fergħa Ewropea tal-International Lesbian and Gay Association – ILGA Europe – kellha kliem ta’ tifħir għall-Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) waqt li esprimiet is-sodisfazzjon tagħha li Malta, l-iżgħar pajjiż irrappreżentat fi ħdanha irnexxie lha torganizza l-akbar u waħda mill-aktar konferenzi ġenerali li qatt saru s’issa.

Dan il-fatt kien ikkonfermat minn ħafna mid-delegati li attendew għat-13-il Konferenza Annwali tal-ILGA–Europe li saret fil-jiem li għaddew fil-Lukanda Corinthia San Ġorġ, f’San Ġiljan, fejn kienet trattata t-tema “Negħlbu l-Barrieri Reliġjużi u Kulturali għall-Ugwaljanza LGBT”. Għaliha attendew aktar minn 300 parteċipant li kienu ġejjin minn 48 pajjiż differenti.

Din kienet ukoll l-ewwel darba li rappreżentanti mill-bord eżekuttiv ta’ ILGA-Europe flimkien ma’ rappreżentanti tal-MGRM, li kellhom sehem importanti fl-organizzazzjoni tal-Konferenza Annwali, ġew milqugħin bl-akbar korteżija minn Kap ta’ Stat. F’diskors ta’ merħba li għamel, il-President tar-Repubblika, Dr George Abela saħaq fuq l-importanza li għandha tingħata l-inklussività waqt li tkun ikkundannata kull tip ta’ diskriminazzjoni. Huwa qabel li l-isħubija ta’ Malta fl-Unjoni Ewropea tista’ sservi bħala fattur pożittiv biex ikun stimulat dibattitu kif f’pajjiżna jkunu rrispettati d-diversità u d-drittijiet tal-minoranza.

Qabel il-konferenza ewlenija tlaqqgħet ukoll Konferenza dwar id-Drittijiet ta’ Persuni Transesswali, li fi tmiemha kienet adottata dikjarazzjoni importanti li ġiet approvata mid-delegati tal-Konferenza Ġene rali tal-ILGA –Europe. Flimkien mal-konferenza TransEurope, ttellgħet ukoll wirja fiċ-Ċentru tal-Kreattività fil-Kavallier ta’ San Ġakbu, liema wirja se tibqa’ miftuħa għall-pubbliku sa nhar il-Ħamis, 19 ta’ Novembru.

Il-konferenza prinċipali kienet miftuħa mill-Ispeaker tal-Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti, Dr Louis Galea, li tkellem dwar il-fatt li d-drittijiet ta’ persuni LGBT, mhumiex drittijiet adizzjonali iżda drittijiet umani. Min-naħa tiegħu, ir-rappreżentant tal-Partit Laburista, Evarist Bartolo saħaq li “issa hu l-mument” għad-drittijiet LGBT, waqt li rrifletta fuq ir-realtà u l-ħtieġa urġenti li ċittadini LGBT f’Malta jkollhom drittijiet tassew imħarsin. Irrifera wkoll għall-fatt li d-drittijiet umani huma drittijiet universali u ma jiddependux mill-kultura ta’ dak li jkun.

L-assemblea kienet indirizzata wkoll, fost oħrajn, mill-kap tad-delegazzjoni Maltija għall-Assmblea Parlamentari tal-Kunsill tal-Ewropa, id-deputat Nazzjonalista Dr Francis Agius, mill-eks-Deputata Parlamentari Taljana, Vladimir Luxuria, mir-rappreżentanta tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea, Belinda Pyke, il-membru parlamentari Ewropew, Ulrike Lunacel, mill-pastor mill-Latvja Juris Calitis u Fritz Huffnagel, Deputat Sindku ta’ The Hague.

Id-delegati tal-konferenza kellhom iċ-ċans li jsiru aktar familjari mal-gżejjer Maltin billi l-MGRM ħaseb biex jorganizza għadd ta’ żjajjar kulturali f’diversi postijiet turistiċi u storiċi, apparti dawra fuq il-baħar mal-Port il-Kbir.

Intant, il-Malta Gay Rights Movement radd ħajr lill-Awtorità ta’ Malta għat-Turiżmu, lill-Ministeru tal-Affarijiet Barranin Olandiż, l-uffiċċju tar-Rappreżentanza tal-Kummis sjoni Ewropea f’Malta, kif ukoll lit-Taqsima tal-Visa tal-Ministeru għall-Affarijiet Barranin għall-koperazzjoni sħiħa li sab mingħandhom.

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

L-Orizzont: Espress aktar tħassib dwar kummenti ta’ Imam

Times: MEPs want same-sex unions recognised across borders

Times: Apology due to gay, lesbian community

Times: AD says Imam should apologise

MaltaStar: Imam should apologise

Times: Crosses, censors and new Labour [Secularism]

Times: How the Imam stole my hands

It-Torċa: Ħaddiema LGBT

It-Torċa: Ix-xogħol: waħda mill-problemi kbar li jiltaqgħu magħha persuni LGTB

Times: AD says Imam should apologise

It-Torċa: Ix-xogħol: waħda mill-problemi kbar li jiltaqgħu magħha persuni LGTB

Guardian: Brussels says churches must lift ban on employing homosexuals

Independent: AD lashes out at Imam

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: What's wrong with chopping off thieves' hands, Imam asks

Independent: This thing called marriage: why are we bothering?

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: Josie Muscat's belittling of the gay community

Independent: GWU’s LGBT policy

Times: What's wrong with chopping off thieves' hands, Imam asks

N.Y. Times: Finding on Priests’ Sexuality and Abuse

Europa: Protection against discrimination is a human right

L-Orizzont: Il-GWU tippreżenta l-‘policy’ ġdida tagħha dwar LGBTs waqt is-‘summit’ Ewropew

Times: Working for gays and Labour

N.Y. Times: Argentine Gay Couple Granted Marriage License

Times: Values must be solidly anchored

GWU: Il-GWU tipprezenta l-policy dwar LGBTs waqt is-Summit fl-Isvezja

EU Parliament: Stockholm programme : MEPs seek balance between liberty and security

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L-Orizzont: ILGA–Europe sodisfatta bis-suċċess miksub

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