Malta Today: AD calls for same-sex civil partnerships

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2008/06/04/n6.html

4 June 2008

Alternattiva Demokratika’s newly appointed spokesperson for LGBT issues Patrick Attard yesterday expressed AD’s disappointment at the humiliation being faced by a woman who, after sex-reassignment surgery, was not allowed to marry.

“The Marriage Registrar deems she is neither a man or a woman and that she cannot marry anyone. AD believes that since the person has had gender reassignment legally accepted by the state then the Marriage Registrar is bound to abide by this and recognise the change in gender,” Attard said.
He conveyed AD’s sympathy, support and solidarity with the woman and called on the state to fully recognise such peoples’ identity. “AD also calls for the introduction of civil partnerships between persons of the same-sex. Our laws must face reality and afford legal recognition to people who are committed to each other. Adults should be left to make their own decisions, the state should stop telling people what to do in such intimate and personal matters.
“AD hopes that common sense and humanity will prevail and that the state will allow this lady, who must have already been through a great ordeal to be allowed to marry the person she loves. AD considers that the Marriage Registrar has been grossly insensitive in this case.”

---
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=70263
5 June 2008

‘Stop humiliating people’ – AD

Alternattiva Demokratika’s newly-appointed spokesperson for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans-gender issues, Patrick Attard expressed disappointment at the humiliation being faced by a woman who, after sex-reassignment surgery, was not allowed to marry the man she loves.

The Marriage Registrar deems she is neither a man nor a woman and that she cannot marry anyone. AD believes that since the person has had gender reassignment legally accepted by the state, the Marriage Registrar is bound to abide by this and recognise the change in gender.

Dr Attard said: “AD would like to express its sympathy, support and solidarity with this woman and calls on the state to fully recognise such people’s identity. AD also calls for the introduction of civil partnerships between persons of the same sex. Our laws must face reality and afford legal recognition to people who are committed to each other. Adults should be left to make their own decisions; the state should stop telling people what to do in such intimate and personal matters.”

---

Original Press Release: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alternattiva/message/5681

PR 3/6/2008 AD - 'Stop humiliating people'

Newly appointed spokesperson for LGBT issues Dr. Ing. Patrick Attard expressed AD's disappointment at the humiliation being faced by a woman who, after sex-reassignment surgery, was not allowed to marry the man she loves. The Marriage Registrar deems she is neither a man or a woman and that she cannot marry anyone. AD believes that since the said person has had gender reassignment legally accepted by the state then the Marriage Registrar is bound to abide by this and recognise the change in gender.

Patrick Attard said: 'AD would like to express its sympathy, support and solidarity with this woman and calls on the state to fully recognise such peoples' identity. AD also calls for the introduction of civil partnerships between persons of the same-sex. Our laws must face reality and afford legal recognition to people who are committed to each other. Adults should be left to make their own decisions, the state should stop telling people what to do in such intimate and personal matters.'

AD hopes that common sense and humanity will prevail and that the state will allow this lady, who must have already been through a great ordeal to be allowed to marry the person she loves. AD considers that the Marriage Registrar has been grossly insensitive in this case.


R Cassar
A/PRO
99894962