Dear Michael Pace Ross,
In response to your letter to the editor I am to agree that the NSO does in fact discriminate against the gay community by not even acknowledging our existence in their data collection tactics! I contacted the office through emails and by printed letter regarding this matter as early as 2006 and no one deemed it important enough to acknowledge receipt of correspondence from me through any medium! You say you have not received it but this is the same excuse we get from ALL the governmental offices here in Malta and elsewhere when they want to hide behind their own finger, as we say in Maltese. Besides, why does anyone have to tell the NSO that there needs to be data collected about a sector of society, is it not their job to do so anyway? Did anyone have to force the NSO to run a lifestyle study, a census or is that common practice? In the same way I feel it should be common practice to collect data on the gay community and all other minority groups, small as they may seem to anyone: particularly if that minority group is heavily discriminated against.
"By conservative estimates the gay community makes up a minimum of 5% of the population in ANY country... Why does anyone have to tell the NSO that there needs to be data collected about a sector of society, is it not their job to do so anyway?"
So that said, let's forgive the gross negligence and complete disregard of the gay community on the occasion that this "inclusive" Lifestyle survey was conducted and ask what type of research has the NSO conducted in regards to the gay community in Malta since its inception? What is the percentage of gays in Malta according to the NSO? How many gay couples are cohabiting? What is the average income? What percentage of teenage suicides are committed by gay youth (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)? What are the demographics of the gay community in Malta? How about discrimination against homosexuals; how many suffer physical and psychological attacks by the public, by their gay partner, by a family member, by the government, are bullied at school, drop out of university? How many legally recognized (in other countries) gay partners of Maltese citizens are denied residence and immigration rights in Malta despite clear EU directives on freedom of movement (my husband is one of them so please take note of that in your statistics)?
"[According to the NSO], What percentage of teenage suicides are committed by gay youth ?"
The NSO, as you admit yourself in your response below, knows nothing about these and other IMPORTANT matters in regards to the "invisible" gay community which seemingly is not numerous enough to be considered as one of the NSO representatives has claimed in the article titled "Il-‘gays’ mhux ikkalkulati: Fl-UE isir stharrig dwar il-'gays'"? I invite that individual to open their eyes and take a good look around. By conservative estimates the gay community makes up a minimum of 5% of the population in ANY country; its is part of the human condition, a natural frequent occurrence. We collect data on schizophrenia (which accounts for 2% of the population) and countless other matters that amount for even less than 1% of the population, so again why not us?
"You know we exist, you know we are highly discriminated against and you know we are suffering plenty of injustice."
You must pardon my slightly aggressive tone in this reply however the NSO should take responsibility in addressing the needs of all members of the community and not wait for
each minority group to wave a flag. It is frustrating to me that anyone has to bring it to the NSO's attention. You know we exist, you know we are highly discriminated against and you know we are suffering plenty of injustice.
I am ready and willing to meet, discuss and even get involved in research programs to assist the NSO in collecting data on the matter. I have extensive world class experience in research but I also know that you have your own highly skilled researchers that can do a good impartial job. Just PLEASE get them mobilised to stop ignoring the gay community. It is an affront to human nature.
"The gay community and the NSO ought to work hand in hand to ensure that proper and fair representation of the facts is portrayed and made available for analysis."
Instead of having to rely on the media to bring these issues to light or attacking one another in a public manner, the gay community and the NSO ought to work hand in hand to ensure that proper and fair representation of the facts is portrayed and made available for analysis. We should not be pointing fingers or denying our role but collaborate.
"We NEED organizations like the NSO to help us [fight discrimination]"
Thank you kindly for taking the time to write and I appreciate that you have done so personally. I am confident that in time the discrimination against gays in Malta will be decreased to a point where we can feel (hopefully) equal and not as second class citizens but we NEED organizations like the NSO to help us do this. In fact it should start at the NSO level.
Yours,
Antoine Spiteri, BS, MSc, MBA (cand.), PhD
Founder of the Maltese Psychological Society
Founder of the Malta Gay Exiles
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