Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Malta Gay Pride Week


June 2013     
MGRM would like to invite you to participate in this year's Pride Week events spread out between the 17th June and 22nd June. 
Love is Love is the theme for this year’s Pride Week as Malta commemoratesthe 40th anniversary of the decriminalisation of sodomy and moves ever closer towards the enactment of a Civil Union Bill that will hopefully grant meaningful recognition and rights to same-sex couples. The report recently released by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) sheds light on the social and human rights situation of LGBT people in all EU countries including Malta.

Major study finds children of gay parents do as well or better than peers

Major study finds children of gay parents do as well or better than peers 
Research conducted in Australia at the University of Melbourne suggests that children growing up in families with gay parents matched other children on measures of self-esteem and emotional well-being, and exceeded them in health and family cohesion. The Australian Study of Child Health in Same-Sex Families included 500 children from across the country, making it the world's largest study so far of gay parents and their children. Salon (6/5), The Daily Mail (London) (6/6), The Age (Melbourne, Australia) (6/5)


All Out: Russia: brutal murders

Gay hate and violence increasing in Russia as government cracks down on gay rights organisations. Sign the petition before Coming Out faces trial in 5 days.
Dear Patrick,
Crisis in Russia: two brutal murders for being gay within weeks. One man was stabbed to death by neighbours, and a younger man was beaten to death with rocks after coming out.

The rise in attacks is happening asPresident Putin wages war on gays and lesbians. His government has banned Pride marches and is trying to bring in a new anti-gay law. And this Tuesday, a major Russian gay organisation will go on trial to fight closure.

Putin is getting away with the crackdown because there’s little international media attention and no real pressure from other world leaders.
But if we start with a massive petition, we can work to get the crisis on the to do list of every world leader and onto the front pages of newspapers.


Times: Civil Unions Bill in Parliament after the summer recess

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130606/local/civil-unions-bill-in-parliament-after-the-summer-recess.472709
Thursday, June 6, 2013, 07:06



The government will present a Bill on civil unions in parliament after the summer recess, civil rights minister Helena Dalli has announced.

The government, she said, was also working on the provision of more childcare service in line with electoral commitments.

Speaking at a dialogue meeting, she said the government was also making LGBT issues a priority. She stressed, however, that changes in the law do not mean life would automatically get easier for such people and it was important to raise awareness.

Malta Today: Civil partnership bill expected after summer

LGBT issues, consumer rights dominate consultation meeting with Minister Helena Dalli.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Civil-partnership-bill-expected-after-summer-20130605
Wednesday 5 June 2013 - 21:08 by Raphael Vassallo


Social dialogue minister Helena Dalli

LGBT issues and consmer rights dominated tonight’s consultation meeting with Helena Dalli, minister for social dialogue, consumer rights and civil liberties: the third in a series of public dialogue sessions with the cabinet of ministers, held at the Auberge de Castille.

In reply to a question from the floor, Minister Helena Dalli confirmed that consultation is under way for a bill on civil partnerships for gay couples, in keeping with an electoral promise in the Labour Party manifesto.

Times: Commission in litany of reasons why the PN lost the election

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130604/local/commission-in-litany-of-reasons-why-the-pn-lost-the-election.472559

Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 21:40



A commission tasked by the PN to investigate the causes of the party's electoral defeat has come up with a litany of reasons while saying that the PN needs to rekindle a ‘feel good’ feeling among the party supporters.

The commission, chaired by Ann Fenech, said the reasons for the defeat included public disappointment over the bus service reform, the City Gate project, the pay rise to ministers, arrogance and a lack of good communication with the people, divisions within the party, the situation in Mepa and the cost of living.

Independent UK: Peers vote convincingly FOR same-sex marriage

http://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/wreckers-routed-as-lords-backs-gay-marriage-bill-8644639.html
5.6.2013 by Andrew Grice

Plans to legalise same-sex marriage cleared their crucial hurdle in the House of Lords last night, with peers rejecting a move to “kill the Bill” which will implement the move.

The first gay weddings are now expected to be held in July 2014 after the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill survived an attempt to block it after a heated two-day debate in the Lords.

Wednesday, 5 June 2013

PN: Rapport dwar ir-Riżultat tal-Elezzjoni Ġenerali 2013 b'ħarsa 'l quddiem

31.5.2013, Il-Partit Nazzjonalista fil-Gvern fis-snin 2008 – 2013
Ara r-rapport kollu [hawn].

L-EWWEL TAQSIMA - Għaliex tilef il-Partit Nazzjonalista?

Id-drittijiet tal-persuni omosesswali
Inħass li l-Gvern naqas milli jifforma politika ċara dwar id-drittijiet tal-persuni omosesswali u kien żball li l-liġi li tirregola dan il-qasam tħalliet fuq l-ixkaffa għal ħafna snin u għalhekk deher insensittiv.

IT-TIENI TAQSIMA - Għaliex rebaħ il-Partit Laburista?

LGBT
Il-ħolqien tal-grupp LGBT fi ħdan il-Partit Laburista kien l-ewwel messaġġ li l-Partit Laburista kien qed ikun miftuħ għal kulħadd.

Tuesday, 4 June 2013

BBC News: New bid to find HIV vaccine begins in London hospital

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22719391
30 May 2013 Last updated at 14:19 GMT

Scientist with pipetteScientists handle thousands of blood samples every year at the HIV vaccine laboratory in London

Related Stories

A fresh effort to find a vaccine for HIV is beginning at laboratories in a London hospital and two centres in Africa.
Scientists are recruiting 64 healthy adult volunteers for the trial, which is expected to take up to two years.
The work will be split equally between London, the Rwandan capital Kigali and Nairobi in Kenya.
This early trial is being run by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), a non-profit organisation.

Monday, 3 June 2013

Times: LGBTQQ, embracing differences

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130603/thezone-social/lgbtqq-more-tolerance-and-understanding.472323
Monday, June 3, 2013, 07:58 by Velislava Hillman


Paul Caruana Turner [Click on the hyperlink above to watch the video.]

What it's like to be a lesbian or gay in Malta?

What difficulties members of LGBTQQ - lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning - are faced with on the island, at work, at university, on the street?

Watch the interview with Paul Caruana Turner, a law student, who forms part of LGBTQQ organisation; hear about what the organisation stands for and why it is important to educate society on the different sexual orientations its members may have.

Independent: Necessary and Contingent Dichotomy in Human Sexuality

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-06-02/opinions/necessary-and-contingent-dichotomy-in-human-sexuality-1731723264/
Sunday, 02 June 2013, 08:57 , by Michael Asciak

I would like to carry on where I left off last week on the subject of human sexuality. But before I turn my attention to the subject matter contained in the title, I would like to make a very important clarification regarding natural law.

Many people think that natural law means looking at what happens in the natural world, the world of biology, physics and chemistry, and applying the principles therein evident to law and ethics. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth and those that conceive of natural law in this manner are completely mistaken or have never taken the time to study its real meaning.

BBC News: First gay couple wed in France amid tight security

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22706351
29 May 2013 Last updated at 17:23 GMT


The moment Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau said "oui" at Montpellier city hall [Click here to watch the video.]

Related Stories

Two men have become the first gay couple to wed in France, just days after President Francois Hollande signed the same-sex marriage bill into law.
Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau said "oui" in the southern city of Montpellier amid tight security.
Mr Hollande had warned he would not accept any disruption to the ceremony.

Sunday, 2 June 2013

BBC News: HIV inner shell structure revealed

Researchers have for the first time unravelled the complex structure of the inner protein shell of HIV.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22708437
30 May 2013 Last updated at 06:56 GMT
HIVHIV escaping from a white blood cell

Related Stories

The US team, reporting in Nature, also worked out exactly how all the components of the shell or 'capsid' fit together at the atomic level.
Until now the exact structure had proved elusive because of the capsid's large size and irregular shape.
The finding opens the way for new types of drugs, the researchers from the University of Pittsburgh said.
It was already known that the capsid, which sits inside the outer membrane of the virus, was a cone-shaped shell made up of protein sub-units in a lattice formation.

All Out: You can't cure gay [Banning Mobile phone Apps]


Wow – after just 24 hours the gay 'cure' app has disappeared from iTunes! Now only Google is left with the harmful app still available in their online store.
Apple's amazing response came after more than 37,000 of us asked Apple and Google to pull the dangerous app "Setting Captives Free" from their online stores. Now, over 60,000 people have joined in asking Google to do the right thing. Join them by signing now: www.allout.org/gaycureapp

Independent UK: Nigeria officially passes ban on gay marriage

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nigeria-officially-passes-ban-on-gay-marriage-8638515.html
AP THURSDAY 30 MAY 2013

Lawmakers in Nigeria have passed a bill banning gay marriage, setting prison terms of up to 14 years.

Nigeria’s House of Representatives passed the bill in a voice vote. The Senate previously passed the bill in November 2011.

The bill is now expected to be signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.

It also criminalises registering gay clubs or organisations, as well as “public show of same-sex amorous relationships”.

Independent: No to Same Sex Marriage: Yes to same civil rights

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-05-29/opinions/no-to-same-sex-marriage-yes-to-same-civil-rights-1707704321/
Wednesday, 29 May 2013, 09:21 , by Martin Scicluna

Many in the gay community have castigated me for failing to recommend the immediate introduction of same-sex marriage in Malta in my report, “Same Sex: Same Civil Entitlements”. As the Lead Author of the report, two considerations were at the forefront of my mind when I wrote it. The first was the need to bring about long over-due social justice for homosexuals in our society. And the second was to make proposals which would stand a chance of achieving a large measure of national and political consensus.

The arguments on grounds of social justice are clear-cut. Same-sex couples in Malta currently have no way of gaining legally recognised status for their relationships. The lack of legal recognition means that they are denied access to most of the rights or responsibilitites that are given to married couples to reflect the commitment they have made to each other. For a same-sex couple, there are many difficulties that arise from the law’s failure fully to recognise committed same-sex relationships.

MGRM: Pride March Invitation [22 nd June]

Pride Week 2013 - Love is Love
 
The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) would like to invite you to this year’s Pride March. This year’s event is planned to take place on Saturday 22nd June 2013, gathering at 10:30am in Great Siege Square, Valletta.

Pride is a symbolic manifestation which is held in many different cities around the world. It aims to increase the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their integral role in the societies where they live.

Saturday, 1 June 2013

Independent: On Human Sexuality

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-05-26/opinions/on-human-sexuality-1682014213/
Sunday, 26 May 2013, 08:30 , by Michael Asciak

Much has been written and said lately about human sexuality. Some of it stems from reason, much of it from pure emotivism. Sex and procreation have gone together since the times before humans appeared on earth. Sexual reproduction evolved as an advantageous type over asexual reproduction because it endowed the species with genetic variation and therefore better able to withstand natural holocausts and avoid extinction. When humans evolved into the higher order mammals that they are, they received the sexual baggage that all other mammals had. Being sexual creatures that consisted of two equal but different genders to the species, they necessarily complemented each other anatomically in copulation and this led to the generation of their offspring. So does practically every higher order biological creature save the lower order species. Even plants contain gender! Human sexuality has existed since the existence of human beings but sexual reproduction itself preceded it by several million years. Since the human species is the only highly self-reflective species on earth, the nature of its sexuality does not hinge solely on procreation but also on agapic mutual sharing of love and emotions. One end of our sexuality does not exist without the other. So it has been for hundreds of thousands of years, generation after generation. It does not make any sense to look at human sexuality without both of these finalities closely intertwined.

Malta Today: Anti-gay marriage protest in France turns violent

Nearly 100 people arrested in Paris when a protest against a new French law allowing same-sex marriage turned violent.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Anti-gay-marriage-protest-in-France-turns-violent-20130527
Monday 27 May 2013 - 09:22



Several hundred thousand opponents of same-sex marriage took to the streets of the French capital to demonstrate against the reform, which was signed into law by President Francois Hollande last week.

While the rally was peaceful throughout much of the day, police said they arrested 96 hardline opponents to the gay marriage law.

Police said those arrested were detained for refusing to disperse or for occupying private property.

Malta Today: Lesbian drama scoops top prize at Cannes Film Festival

Intimate love story about two young French women wins the Palme d’Or for best film at renowned Cannes Film Festival.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/magazinedetails/magazine/film/Lesbian-drama-scoops-top-prize-at-Cannes-Film-Festival-20130527
Monday 27 May 2013 - 09:52


Actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux in 'Blue is the warmest colour'

Blue is the Warmest Colour, an intimate love story about two young French women, has won the Palme d'Or for best film at the Cannes Film Festival.

The three-hour coming-of-age movie has attracted attention for its explicit sex scenes as well as the acclaimed performances of actresses Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux.

Times: Protest over gay marriage laws [in France]

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130526/world/protest-over-gay-marriage-laws.471364
Sunday, May 26, 2013, 19:02 by PA



Tens of thousands of people protested against France's new gay marriage law in central Paris today.

The law came into force over a week ago, but organisers decided to go ahead with the long-planned demonstration to show their continued opposition as well as their frustration with President Francois Hollande, who had made legalising gay marriage one of his keynote campaign pledges in last year's election.

Friday, 31 May 2013

Independent UK: Pakistani women marry in Britain's first Muslim lesbian partnership

Lesbian couple took vows at Leeds registry office earlier this month before immediately applying for political asylum, it is claimed
26.5.2013 by CHARLOTTE PHILBY

Two former students from Pakistan are believed to have become the first Muslim lesbian couple to marry in a civil ceremony in Britain.

Rehana Kausar, 34, and Sobia Kamar, 29, took their vows at a registry office in Leeds earlier this month before immediately applying for political asylum, it was claimed.

Relatives of the couple said the women, who studied in Birmingham, had received death threats both in the UK and from opponents in their native Pakistan, where homosexual relations are illegal.

Independent UK: Blue movie wins the Palme D’Or – but will Britain get to see it uncut?

Blue is the Warmest Colour triumphs at Cannes
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/blue-movie-wins-the-palme-dor--but-will-britain-get-to-see-it-uncut-8633039.html
SUNDAY 26 MAY 2013 by KALEEM AFTAB, CANNES

A film described by some as a graphic lesbian drama and by others as a moving love story won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival.

Click here or on 'view gallery'

Blue is the Warmest Colour by the Tunisian-French director Abdellatif Kechiche was the overwhelming favourite to win the award. The film about a lesbian relationship between two French teenagers features an explicit six-minute sex scene between actresses Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos.

Independent: Same-Sex Marriage

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-05-21/letters/same-sex-marriage-1643249665/
Tuesday, 21 May 2013, 08:26
Żminijietna – Voice of the Left, Richard Mifsud

In reaction to the Public Policy Insitute's (TPPI) statement that Malta is not ready for same-sex marriage, Żminijietna - Voice of the Left believes that Maltese people are not inferior to people in other countries which are introducing same-sex marriages.

Malta Today: US Boy Scouts vote to end ban on gays

The Boy Scouts of America organisation votes to welcome openly gay scouts, ending a divisive ban.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/US-Boy-Scouts-vote-to-end-ban-on-gays-20130524
Friday 24 May 2013 - 08:44



The Boy Scouts of America has said it will allow openly gay youths to join the organisation while maintaining a ban on adult leaders, after a vote at its annual meeting in Texas.

The resolution will go into force on January 1 next year.

Sixty-one percent of the estimated 1,400 delegates to the meeting in Grapevine, Texas voted to end the ban that for decades has barred open homosexuality in the movement.

Malta Today: Agreement reached in UK over gay marriage

Plans to legalise gay marriage in England and Wales are to proceed unimpeded in Parliament after ministers reached agreement with Labour.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Agreement-reached-in-UK-over-gay-marriage-20130521
Tuesday 21 May 2013 - 08:43



The gay marriage bill in the UK has been saved after Opposition leader Ed Miliband agreed at the last minute to vote against an amendment to extend civil partnerships to heterosexual couples that had prompted government warnings that it would derail the entire measure.

The Labour leader, who had planned to abstain in a Commons vote on the amendment, agreed to change tack after the government chief whip Sir George Young sent a message to his opposition counterparts that the Tory leadership was facing defeat.

Malta Today: No token lady | Claudette Buttigieg

The ambitious Nationalist MP Claudette Buttigieg knows the competition is stiff, but the PN must face change. As for Eurovision? ‘Let the gay times begin’
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/interview/No-token-lady-Claudette-Buttigieg-20130522
Wednesday 22 May 2013 - 09:00 by Miriam Dalli


All is easier said than done when Claudette Buttigieg has to face the likes of MP Beppe Fenech Adami for the deputy leadership post.

Many were the voices from inside the Nationalist Party that suggested they needed a woman at the helm after suffering an electoral thumping from 35,000 voters who had switched to Labour.

With Joseph Muscat pledging to have the most "feminist government" Malta has ever seen, can a woman holding the PN's deputy leadership provide the perfect platform for the party to portray itself as representative of a 21st-century society?

Malta Today: Busuttil agrees with updating Church-State agreement on marriage tribunals

Church against gay marriage but it will wait for civil unions bill before commenting further.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Busuttil-agrees-with-updating-Church-State-agreement-on-marriage-tribunals-20130521
Tuesday 21 May 2013 - 12:03 by Jurgen Balzan


Simon Busuttil (right) with Archbishop Paul Cremona (centre) and auxiliary bishop Charles Scicluna. (Photo: Photocity)

Archbishop Paul Cremona intends taking a cautious stance over forthcoming legislative changes that will sanction civil unions for gay partners, and the Prime Minister's intention to remove the Ecclesiastic Tribunals' authority on marriage annulments.

Cremona today met new PN leader Simon Busuttil at a courtesy meeting where both leaders were quizzed about church-state relations.

Malta Today: TPPI report: Alternattiva Demokratika reiterates full equality stand

Greens: TPPI’s civil unions report takes presumed standpoint of a heterosexual society and disregards the feelings of the gay community
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/TPPI-report-Alternattiva-Demokratika-reiterates-full-equality-stand-20130520
Monday 20 May 2013 - 11:41 by a Staff Reporter

Alternattiva Demokratika, the Green Party, has questioned the main conclusion of the Today Public Policy Institute's report on the civil rights of LGBTI persons, which said the introduction of gay marriage was premature for the Maltese islands.

"Alternattiva Demokratika is sceptical about the main conclusion of this report, which called on the government to take the necessary and long overdue action to remedy the discriminatory position of the gay community, but then it does not believe that the institution of marriage should be extended to homosexual couples because Maltese society is not yet ready for such a bold move," Angele Deguara, AD Spokesperson for Social Policy and Civil Rights, said.

Malta Star: Independent think-tank highlights same sex rights

http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20130518-independent-think-tank-highlights-same-sex-rights
Saturday, 18 May 2013, 00:05



Malta's only independent think-tank, The Today Public Policy Institute, today published a report entitled “Same Sex: Same Civil Entitlements” in which it highlights the real and manifest inequality that currently exists between homosexuals and heterosexuals in Malta.

The report states that there has been a neglect by Parliament of the plight of sexual minorities in Malta, a vulnerable group in society, consisting of homosexuals, bisexuals, trans-genders and inter-sex persons, as well as same-sex partners who live together and set up home together, who currently enjoy no proper rights or recognition. The situation has been allowed to fester for too long.

Di-ve: Malta behind in equal rights for LGBT citizens

http://www.di-ve.com/news/malta-behind-equal-rights-lgbt-citizens
Last Updated 17 | 05 | 2013 at 00:10
Article By:di-ve.com news editorial@di-ve.com



The ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map (Index) for 2013 as well as the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) survey report indicates that Malta is a long way from claiming to provide equal rights and a safe environment for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens.

The ILGA-Europe Map provides an overview and comparison of the legal situation of the 47 Council of Europe member states based on legislation in the fields of equality and non-discrimination, family, bias motivated speech and violence, legal gender recognition, freedom of assembly, association and expression and asylum. The Map places Malta somewhere in the middle with a score of 35% were first placed UK scored 77% and the lowest, was scored by Russia at 7%.

Di-ve: Quarter of gay people across Europe face discrimination

http://www.di-ve.com/news/quarter-gay-people-across-europe-face-discrimination
Last Updated 17 | 05 | 2013 at 10:47
Article By: di-ve.com news editorial@di-ve.com

A quarter of gay people have been subjeced to attacks or violent threats in the past five years, a major EU poll established. Poorer and younger homosexual respondents said that they were more likely to gace discrimination due to their sexuality.

The EU LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) survey asked lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender respondents whether they had experienced discrimination, violence, verbal abuse or hate speech on the grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It showed worrying trends of unreported discriminations and increasing abuse and violence.

Independent: Gay Marriage a 'Step too Far' for Malta

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-05-20/news/gay-marriage-a-step-too-far-for-malta-1634992129/
Monday, 20 May 2013, 08:19 , by John Cordina



Malta should ensure that same-sex couples enjoy the same rights of heterosexual couples, but gay marriage may be a step too far for Malta, the Today Public Policy Institute says.

Instead, and for that reason, the think-tank is calling for the introduction of civil partnerships and civil unions. However, it also insists that same-sex couples should be able to adopt children.

Independent: Marriage Equality, a Distorted View

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-05-20/opinions/marriage-equality-a-distorted-view-1635221508/
Monday, 20 May 2013, 10:00 , by Gabi Calleja

In her opinion piece entitled Same-sex marriage causes fundamental harm to society (TMIS, 12 May), C. Gwendolyn Landolt makes a number of unsubstantiated predictions on the impact the introduction of marriage equality would have on Maltese society.

The only element of truth in the article is that the introduction of marriage equality would entail a redefinition of the institution of marriage to encompass a union of two people, irrespective of their gender.

Malta Today: Buttigieg sees Eurovision experience as platform to gay community

Claudette Buttigieg, candidate for the PN deputy leadership post for party affairs, interviewed by Sunday newspaper Illum.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Buttigieg-sees-Eurovision-experience-as-platform-to-gay-community-20130518
Sunday 19 May 2013 - 09:01 by a Staff Reporter


Claudette Buttigieg

In an interview with Sunday newspaper Illum, PN deputy leader candidate Claudette Buttigieg speaks about her decision to contest the election.

Buttigieg speaks about her humble past in farming and growing up being active in different committees at University as Secretary of the University Students Council (KSU) and as an Equal Rights Officer.

Malta Today: Martin Scicluna lambasted by gay lobby

The Malta Gay Rights Movement hit out at the conclusions of a report on same-sex marriage: ‘completely unacceptable to deny human rights to anyone, irrespective of the level of preparedness or maturity of a country’.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Martin-Scicluna-lambasted-by-gay-lobby-20130519
Sunday 19 May 2013 - 19:00 by Jurgen Balzan


Martin Scicluna

Human rights are an entitlement and have nothing to do with a country's level of maturity, said Malta Gay Rights Movement Coordinator Gabi Calleja.

Calleja was reacting to the Today Public Policy Institute (TPPI) recommendation to introduce civil unions for same-sex couples instead of same-sex marriages.

Malta Today: ‘Human rights are not a matter of maturity’ – gay rights campaigner Gabi Calleja

MGRM reacts to 'study' by Today Public Policy Institute claiming that introducing gay marriage would be “one step too far for Malta”.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Human-rights-are-not-a-matter-of-maturity-gay-rights-campaigner-Gabi-Calleja-20130520
Monday 20 May 2013 - 10:30 by Jurgen Balzan


MGRM coordinator Gabi Calleja says all things being equal, the TPPI should have given due regard to children residing with same-sex civil partners.

Human rights are an entitlement that have nothing to do with a country's level of maturity, said Malta Gay Rights Movement Coordinator Gabi Calleja, in a reaction to the Today Public Policy Institute's (TPPI) recommendation to introduce civil unions for same-sex couples instead of same-sex marriages.

Last week, TPPI director Martin Scicluna said introducing gay marriage would be "one step too far for Malta", adding that it would be "premature and impolitic."

Malta Today: Hollande signs gay marriage bill

French president signs into law a controversial bill making the country the ninth in Europe, and 14th globally, to legalise gay marriage.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Hollande-signs-gay-marriage-bill-20130518
Saturday 18 May 2013 - 08:45



French President Francois Hollande has signed a gay marriage and adoption bill into law, a day after the country's Constitutional Council threw out a legal challenge by the conservative opposition.

Hollande, trying to turn the page on months of bitter opposition to the measures, said it was "time to respect the law and the Republic".

Malta Today: Same-sex marriage deniers: an invitation to resistance

I hope the discursive power of the 'same-sex marriage deniers' gets the resistance it deserves.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/blogsdetails/blogs/Same-sex-marriage-deniers-an-invitation-to-resistance-20130517
Blog Friday, May 17, 2013 by Michael Briguglio



Just as more and more countries around the world are introducing same-sex marriages, and just as more and more leaders including socialists (Hollande), conservatives (Cameron) and democracts (Obama) are joining progressives for the introduction of this right, Malta's own Public Policy institute has said that Malta is not ready for same-sex marriage, and that it would be 'one step too far' to introduce it. Which reminds me of those who some years ago said that Malta is not ready for divorce, anti-censorship legislation, and so forth.