Tuesday 26 February 2013

Times: Homosexual acts amount to lust

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130224/letters/Homosexual-acts-amount-to-lust.458978
Sunday, February 24, 2013 by Joe Zammit, Paola

In the report ‘Bishop slams letter claims against gays’ (The Sunday Times, February 17) our dear Bishop Charles Scicluna has succeeded effectively to prove what I had said in my past letters about homosexual acts, which letters are all based on Public Revelation.

The Bishop said that “gay people are called to chaste love as any other person”. Precisely, that is what I have always said in my letters and comments on timesofmalta.com. “Chaste love” excludes homosexual acts.

Times: Marriage misunderstanding

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130223/opinion/Marriage-misunderstanding.458857
Saturday, February 23, 2013 by Henry Pace

The recent political leaders’ debate at the University should serve as a serious eye-opener to the electorate.

For millennia, all societies have viewed marriage as an exclusively heterosexual club. But in the last few years, more and more people are saying it’s time to open the marriage door to homosexuals. After all, we are told, if marriage is all about love and mutual commitment, gay people can do that at least as well as straights, who have thoroughly messed up the institution in any event. And, besides, it would be discriminatory to deny homosexuals the right to marry, no? Yet, according to the authors of a great new book I recently came across, we are on the wrong track already if the marriage debate gets bogged down to the issues of love or rights because marriage is founded on something far deeper.

Times: Pseudo marriages

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130222/letters/Pseudo-marriages.458691
Friday, February 22, 2013 by Anton Attard, Victoria

Marriage can only be contracted by a man and a woman. A union between two persons of the same sex, call it what you will – civil partnership, civil union – is definitely not marriage.

In any case, if some people want to make use of the word ‘marriage’, then it might as well be called pseudo marriage because that’s what it is, false marriage.

Transexuals, that is men becoming women, are not females but pseudo females. They cannot beget children because giving birth to children is a female prerogative. So a marriage between a man and a transexual likewise is not marriage but pseudo marriage.

Malta Star: EU and German high courts rule same-sex couples are regular parents

http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20130219-eu-and-german-high-courts-rule-same-sex-couples-are-regular-parents
Tuesday, 19 Feb 2013, 18:04



Today two high courts in Europe ruled in favour of same-sex couples adopting children. Both judgments make clear that lesbian and gay couples provide children the same safety and stability as heterosexual couples do.

In the first decision, the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights considered the case X and others v. Austria. The court deemed that

Times: Love, lust and homosexuality [1 & 2]

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130221/letters/Love-lust-and-homosexuality-1-.458545
Thursday, February 21, 2013 by Joe Zammit, Paola

Is one born homosexual? The answer is definitely no.

The first argument is that one can have a sexual attraction and inclination towards persons of the same sex without being a homosexual. If one with this inclination never indulges in homosexual acts, one will never become a homosexual. However, when one starts indulging in these evil acts, one ends up a slave of one’s own acts and renders oneself a homosexual.

Times: No say in my sexuality

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130220/letters/No-say-in-my-sexuality.458409
Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The recent letter by Joe Zammit of Paola, condemning homosexuals, doesn’t really merit a reply, so ignorant and anachronistic was it. But, as a 65-year-old homosexual sharing this small island space with such an intellectual and spiritual dinosaur as Zammit, I must express my concern.

I knew, as an altar boy aged 11, that I was homosexual: I was devout but I had no choice or any say in my sexuality. It happened and I’ve lived with it, as a blue-eyed person lives alongside a brown-eyed person.

Times: Gays toast departure of an unloved Pontiff

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130220/world/Gays-toast-departure-of-an-unloved-Pontiff.458451
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 by Robin Pomeroy, Reuters



Franco Grillini, founder of Italy’s biggest gay advocacy group Arcigay, believes the Catholic Church has gone to conservative extremes due to competition from radical Islam and evangelical Christianity.

Across the road from the Colosseum, the ancient Roman stadium consecrated as a holy Christian site, clients at a busy bar are raising a glass to the Pope: toasting the departure of the “worst” Church leader they can imagine.

For drinkers in Rome’s best known gay bar, Pope Benedict’s abdication is a blessing.

Times: Marriage saves lives

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130214/blogs/marriage-saves-lives.457621
Thursday, February 14, 2013, 16:34 by Alison Bezzina

I was just sitting quietly at my desk typing and working away when, suddenly, I was startled by a loud cheer from the office next door.

Being Valentine’s Day I thought that someone must have gone down on one knee and proposed.

Considering that this year it is estimated that more than 6 million people will propose on or around Valentine’s Day, I was rather disappointed to find out that the applause from the office next door was simply for a bouquet of roses that was sent to a colleague of mine.

Times: Love and lust

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130206/letters/Love-and-lust.456426
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 by Anthony Girard, Sliema

“Two men or two women can never make a marriage because between them there can never be love but only lust...”

So, according to Joe Zammit (January 29), there can never be love between two men or two women – only lust. Where did this come from?

Did the Almighty come down and enlighten him? Did the Almighty (infinite love) specifically tell him that a relationship between two men or two women must be based on lust and that a relationship between two persons of the opposite sex must be based on love alone?

With Zammit enlightening us about unconditional love, who needs the Almighty?

Malta Today:[WATCH] Reporter | Cyrus Engerer & Edwin Vassallo

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/elections2013/WATCH-Reporter-Cyrus-Engerer-Edwin-Vassallo-20130207
Thursday 7 February 2013 - 09:54 Saviour Balzan

Watch Saviour Balzan interview Labour activist Cyrus Engerer and Nationalist MP Edwin Vassallo on Favourite Channel's Reporter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZcWOU2EimzY

Monday 25 February 2013

Times: Bishop slams letter claims against gays

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130217/local/Bishop-slams-letter-claims-against-gays.457947
Sunday, February 17, 2013 by Ariadne Massa


Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The Auxiliary Bishop has stepped in to censure an incendiary letter – that stated there could only be lust, not love between homosexuals – and make the Church’s teachings clear.

“Joe Zammit has managed to do a great disservice to the Catholic ethos by presenting a caricature of the Church’s teaching on gay relationships,” Mgr Charles Scicluna told The Sunday Times.

He felt he had to step in and reply to the letters Mr Zammit, an ardent churchgoer from Paola, wrote in The Times sparking a furore with their provocative statements distinguishing between love and lust in gay relationships.

Times: Lust in the full sense of the word

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130214/letters/Lust-in-the-full-sense-of-the-word.457540
Thursday, February 14, 2013 by Joe Zammit, Paola

Terry Shaw (February 1) tried in vain to disprove what I had said that “there can never be love but only lust between homosexuals”. Besides, he gave no proof as to why my ideas were ‘bigoted’.

I just expressed the truth about homosexual acts.

Shaw says he has spent 33 years in a homosexual relationship. That proves nothing. You can spend 100. That does in no way prove that a sexual relationship between gays amounts to love. Lust it is and lust it will remain.

Times: French lower house votes in favour of gay marriage

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130213/world/French-lower-house-votes-in-favour-of-gay-marriage.457416
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 by Reuters

France’s lower house of Parliament backed same-sex marriage in a vote yesterday, paving the way for it to enter law after street marches rallied hundreds of thousands of demonstrators both for and against it.

The move is France’s most important social reform since the abolition of the death penalty in 1981 but is opposed by social conservatives in the majority Catholic country, together with many French Muslims and evangelical Christians.

Thursday 21 February 2013

Malta Today: [WATCH] James Debono’s issues | The gay vote

Do gay voters vote for the party that is more gay-friendly, or do they have other concerns than identity politics and civil rights such as gay unions?
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/elections2013/James-Debono-s-issues-The-gay-vote-20130210
Wednesday 13 February 2013 - 08:00 by James Debono


Independent: Same sex adoption

http://www.independent.com.mt/mobile/2013-02-10/letters/same-sex-adoption-828768257/
Sunday, 10 February 2013, 09:01

In the course of this election campaign, all political parties are expressing their views what to do (if elected to govern) in the forthcoming five-year term. It is said that the issue of adoptive children by gays and lesbians would be considered, provided that such adoptions are in the interest of the children. It is to be stated that this issue like the divorce issue should not be a political one, as this is a moral issue.

Moves by legislators and homosexual activists to endorse same sex adoption are misguided. They are ignoring the rights of children and important social and psychological research into the homosexual lifestyle.

Malta Today: Gay rights, PN style: a gimmick to end all gimmicks

The proposed Constitutional amendment, as contained in the Nationalist Party’s electoral manifesto, is a step in the right direction...
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/opiniondetails/blogs/opinion/Gay-rights-PN-style-a-gimmick-to-end-all-gimmicks
Sunday, February 10, 2013 by Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

...but only a step, a token gesture that in and of itself will have little practical impact on Malta's gay and lesbian community. Without legislation to back it up, the proposed Constitutional amendment is a mere gimmick, an attention-grabbing and publicity stunt, a trick that a government indifferent to gay and lesbian rights is playing on the island's community.

Malta Star: Is Vatican still against gay civil unions?

http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20130210-is-vatican-still-against-gay-civil-unions
Sunday, 10 Feb 2013, 04:47



Last Monday the Vatican's top official on family policy gave the impression that the Church had shifted slightly its position on the rights for gay civil unions, although he also stressed that marriage should remain between a man and a woman.

But in a follow-up interview four days later with Vatican Radio, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia insisted that his remarks, which had been given off-the-cuff after a prepared statement, were taken out of context and that he had never intended to imply that the Church supports homosexual civil unions.

Times: Same-sex adoption is no game

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130207/opinion/Same-sex-adoption-is-no-game.456613
Thursday, February 7, 2013 by Henry Pace

The political parties are expressing their views on what to do (if elected to govern) in the forthcoming five-year term. It is said that the issue of adoptive children by gays and lesbians would be considered, provided that such adoptions are in the interest of the children.

Like divorce, this should not be a political issue because it is a moral question.

Times: British MPs back gay marriage in initial vote

Cameron faces revolt with half of MPs voting against
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130206/world/British-MPs-back-gay-marriage-in-initial-vote.456462
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 by Reuters



Campaigners Martin Brown, left, and Archie Young embrace during a demonstration for a “yes” vote to allow gay marriage, as they protest outside Parliament in London last night. British lawmakers backed legalising gay marriage by 400 votes to 175 votes in the first of several votes on the issue. Photo: Luke MacGregor/ Reuters

British lawmakers yesterday backed legalising gay marriage in the first of several votes on the issue, after a debate that split Prime Minister David Cameron’s ruling Conservative party in two.

Sunday 10 February 2013

BBC News: Gay marriage an important step forward, says David Cameron

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21325702
5 February 2013 Last updated at 18:01 GMT

Gay marriage an important step forward, says PM



PM David Cameron: "This is about equality but it's also about making our society stronger"

Related Stories

Same-sex marriage is "an important step forward" and will "make our society stronger", David Cameron has said.
The prime minister's intervention came shortly before MPs were due to vote on plans to legalise gay marriage in England and Wales.
A number of Conservative MPs have spoken out against the plans - one calling the idea "Orwellian".
But Mr Cameron said he backed marriage for all couples because it was right and it promoted commitment.
"Today is an important day. I am a strong believer in marriage. It helps people commit to each other and I think it is right that gay people should be able to get married too," he said.
"This is, yes, about equality. But it is also about making our society stronger. I know there are strong views on both side of the argument - I accept that. But I think this is an important step forward for our country."

Times: Tories urge gay marriage rethink

Sense of betrayal’ over Cameron’s reforms
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130204/world/Tories-urge-gay-marriage-rethink.456171
Monday, February 4, 2013 by AP


A wedding cake topper for a civil partnership ceremony. Photo: PA

A group of current and former Conservative constituency chairman has handed in a letter to No 10 urging David Cameron to rethink his plans to allow gay marriage.

Tory grassroots feel “a sense of betrayal” over the Prime Minister’s “bulldozed-through” reforms, party activist claimed yesterday.

Times: ‘Gay couples will struggle to adopt regardless of law’

Equal rights lobbyist claims the problem stretches beyond Malta as adoption agency stresses its decisions are not based on sexual orientation
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130204/local/-Gay-couples-will-struggle-to-adopt-regardless-of-law-.456144
Monday, February 4, 2013 by Claudia Calleja


Appoġġ said all the applications it receives are treated equally and according to the Adoption Act.

Changing the law to allow gay couples to adopt a child is important for equal rights but the reality is that adoption will always remain difficult for same-sex partners, according to gay rights lobbyist Gabi Calleja.

The majority of children are adopted from overseas and adoption agencies in Malta compile a report about the prospective parents, which is sent to the country where the child lives.

Independent: PL to appoint LGBT Representative

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-02-04/news/pl-to-appoint-lgbt-representative-804618241/
Monday, 04 February 2013, 14:56



Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat pledged to appoint a government representative who will focus on civil and equality rights while setting up a consultative council which is to draft a Bill on civil unions.

Once the Bill is approved by Parliament, the council will be tasked with moving a tall order on the measures that need to be taken. The council is to be made up of several representatives of LGBT organisations and is intended as a forum where all stakeholders come together.

Times: Life that began at 40

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130205/opinion/Life-that-began-at-40.456326
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 by Kenneth Zammit Tabona

I was unaware of the fact that 40 years had passed since the Labour Party had decriminalised homo­­­sexuality and adultery and I was then too young and too uninformed to have appreciated it. It is incredible how much life has changed since 1973. That was the year I started working.

I was 16 and had joined Barclays Bank out of pique on a temporary basis which eventually lasted 29 years and left me no wiser as to how to look at a simple balance sheet without passing out. In those days whatever the Labour Party did was wrong, for the Church, the Courts, the British were all formidable opponents and yet, miraculously, Dom Mintoff managed to pass this law which gave the police discretion as to how and when to ensnare the hapless victim; very often using pretty policemen as decoys.

Times: Consultative council to draft law on civil unions

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130204/elections-news/consultative-council-to-draft-law-on-civil-unions.456186
Monday, February 4, 2013, 13:43



A Labour government will set up a special consultative council to draft a law on civil unions, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said today.

The council will also make recommendations on other areas where gays, lesbians and transgender people feel discriminated against.

Malta Star: LGBT persons feel let down by Busuttil

http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20130201-lgbt-persons-feel-let-down-by-busuttil
Saturday, 02 Feb 2013, 09:53

“My biggest disappointment is that Simon Busuttil did not bring a breath of fresh air for the Nationalist Party but rather opted to keep the status quo, expecting us to thank PN for what it has done instead of consulting us about our future.”

These are the words of a Nationalist Party voter who was invited to attend a meeting of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) persons with the PN deputy leader, as part of a series of meetings that Dr. Simon Busuttil is having with various NGOs and individuals.

PL 2013 Manifesto

http://election.josephmuscat.com/manifest.pdf [Back-up]

– Jinħatar politiku responsabbli għal-Libertajiet Ċivili u l-Ugwaljanza
– Liġi tal-Koabitazzjoni
– Kunsill Konsultattiv għat-tisħiħ tad-drittijiet LGBT
– Civil Union għall-koppji tal-istess sess
– Liġi li tirregola l-identifikazzjoni ta’ persuni trans-gender

Nemmnu f’socjeta li ticcelebra d-diversita, li taghraf l-izvilupp u realtajiet socjali ta’ madwarna, li tifhem il-bzonn ta’ separazzjoni bejn l-istat u l-knisja, li tghozz l-identita Maltija minghajr ma tiddiskrimina, li tassigura l-ugwaljanza u r-rispett lejn il-minoranzi, u li fuq kollox thares id-drittijiet u l-libertajiet fundamentali tal-bniedem.

Progress u Liberta 

Socjeta konteporanja taghraf il-bzonn ta’ separazzjoni bejn Stat u Knisja. Gvern Gdid se jkun impenjat favur din is-separazzjoni f’qafas ta’ rispett reciproku.

Jinhatar politku responsabbli ghal Libertajiet Civili u Ugwaljanza.

Insahhu l-funzjoni tal-Kummisarju ghall-Protezzjoni tad-Data biex kull cittadin ikun kundifenti li l-informazzjoni personali dwaru ma tintuzax mill-Istat jew entitajiet ohra b’mod abbuziv.

Indahhlu l-Ligi tal-Koabitazzjoni li tipprotegi u taghti aktar drittijiet lill-koppji li jghixu flimkien u lil uliedhom.

Kontra d-diskriminazzjoni

Gvern Gdid huwa kontra kull diskriminazzjoni negattiva u jahdem attivament biex l-ebda ksenofobija ma terfa’ rasha. Ghalhekk Gvern Gdid ihaddem politika li tassigura rispett shih lejn id-diversita filqawt li tkun kontra kull tip ta’ razzizmu u precudizji.

Indahhlu d-dritt ta’ Civil Union ghal koppji tal-istess sess.

Inwaqqfu Kunsill Konsultattiv, bil-partecipazzjoni u s-sehem tal-NGOs f’dan il-qasam, li jaghtu pariri lill-Gvern dwar issues li ghandhom impatt fuq il-komunita’ LGBT.

Gvern Gdid jiffirma Protokol Nru 12 tal-Konvenzjoni ghall-Protezzjoni Fundamentali li jizgura li fost l-ohrajn ma ssirx diskriminazzjoni kontra persuni skont l-orjentazzjoni sesswali taghhom.

Indahhlu ligi realistika li tirregola l-identifikazzjoni tal-persuni trans-gender partikolarment dwar kif ikunu jistghu jidentifikaw ruhhom a bazi ta’ sess.

Insahhu l-Policy kontra diskriminazjoni fuq bazi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali fis-Servizz Pubbliku, inkluz fil-forzi tal-ordni.

Permezz ta’ aktar kampanji edukattivi, l-aktar sa mic-ckunija ta’ wliedna nedukaw aktar dwar id-diversita u kontra l-pregudizzju u razzizmu, filwaqt li niggieldu l-bullying reati ta’ mibgheda (hate crimes) inkluz dak minhabba orjentazzjoni sesswali, razza, etnicita u kulur tal-gilda

---
Naghtu pensjoni liz-zewg persuni b’dizabilita u mhux wahda f’kaz li l-koppja li jizzewgu jew jidhli f’civil union, inkluz dawk li zzewgu qabel l-2007.

Saħħa Sesswali

51 Jiġu allokati r-riżorsi neċessarji biex il-politika dwar is-saħħa sesswali tkun implementata, kif ukoll billi nagħtu aktar priorità lil kampanji edukattivi u ta' informazzjoni fosthom dawk ta' prevenzjoni.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0rkrdkBeKA

PL: Celebrating Diversity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3QoJEH-21I


Published on 30 Jan 2013

Celebrating 40 years since a Labour Government decriminalized Homosexuality in Malta
I'm In Campaign

iNews Malta: Aġġornat/Filmat: Kontra diskriminazzjoni fl-għoti tad-demm

http://www.inewsmalta.com/dart/20130201-oti-tad-demm-muscat-kontra-diskriminazzjoni-fuq-ba-ta-orjentazzjoni-sesswali
11:36 | 01.02.2013


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iqoOWnI3E4A


Il-Mexxej Laburista Joseph Muscat tkellem ċar dwar diskussjoni li f’pajjiżna tqum minn żmien għal żmien. Dik dwar kif persuni omosesswali huma mċaħħda milli jagħtu donazzjoni ta’ demm. Fi żjara fiċ-ċentru tal-għoti tad-demm. Muscat iddikjara li hu jemmen li m’għandux ikun hemm diskriminazzjoni fuq bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Iżda l-għażliet għandhom isiru fuq bażi xjentifika.

Hawn, il-Ministru Joe Cassar, li tfaċċa għall-attività bla mistenni, deher li kien qiegħed jaqbel ma’ Muscat. Min-naħa tiegħu d-direttur tad-dipaetiment tkellem dwar kif studji xjentifiċi juru li l-mard trasmess sesswalment huwa iktar komuni bejn koppji gay milli koppji etrosesswali.

Ritratt: Ray Attard

Times: French back gay marriage

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130202/world/french-back-gay-marriage.455918
Saturday, February 2, 2013, 22:13 by PA



Opponents to government plans to legalise same-sex marriage, adoption and medically assisted procreation for same-sex couples, demonstrate, in Marseille southern France. Photo: Claude Paris)

France's National Assembly has approved a key article of a controversial bill that would legalise gay marriage.

The measure, approved by a 249-to-97 vote today, would drop the legal requirement that a marriage in France must be between two people of the opposite sex.

Petitioning the Government of Malta: Equal Rights in Marriage and Adoption for the LGBT Community

http://www.change.org/petitions/petitioning-the-government-of-malta-equal-rights-in-marriage-and-adoption-for-the-lgbt-community?utm_campaign=petition_created&utm_medium=email&utm_source=guides



Petition by Franklin Cachia Malta, [January 2013]

Fighting for equal rights should no longer be an issue at this day and age and should no longer be begged for. We understand the difficulty that our politicians face in going against the grain and working to legalise same-sex marriage and the opportunity to start a family through adoption by same sex-couples and we stand with them in our support of legalising same-sex marriage and adoption in Malta.

It-Torċa: Taħseb li l-‘gays’ se jkunu mqarrqa mill-PN?

http://www.torca.com.mt/oldarticles/article43865.html
3.2.13

Minn ħabta ta’ sena ’l hawn il-Partit Nazzjonalista donnu għamel ‘u-turn’ kbira f’dik li hi ideo-loġija. Minn partit ‘tal-Knisja’; tar-‘Religio et Patria’, ta’ Malta Kattolika rebħet, ta’ kontra d-divorzju, ta’ viċi Prim Ministru li jkollu viżjonijiet tal-Madonna, ta’ segretarju parlamentari li jsostni li l-gvern għandu d-dritt jindaħal fil-morali li tħaddan fil-kamra tas-sodda; sar partit mill-aktar liberali. 

Mhux biss Simon Busuttill indika li l-PN kien żbaljat fil-pożizzjoni li ħa fir-referendum tad-divorzju (minkejja li l-kap tiegħu spiss stqarr li l-PN kien dejjem fuq in-naħa t-tajba tal-istorja) imma l-PN ħabbar li ħaddan il-proposta li kien għadu kemm ippropona l-PL li koppji omosesswali u lesbjani jkunu jistgħu jadottaw tfal kemm-il darba koppja omosesswali jew lesbjana, bħalma jseħħ fil-każ ta’ koppja eterosesswali, tkun meqjusa bħala kompetenti li trabbi t-tfal. Mhux hekk biss, fil-manifest elettorali l-PN wiegħed li se jdaħħal klawsola fil-kostituzzjoni li ma tħalli ebda forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni abbażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali, u dan minkejja li fil-parlament Ewropew l-MEPs Simon Busuttil u David Casa, flimkien ma’ bosta Ewro-Parlamenterali tal-PPE, saħansitra opponew riżoluzzjonijiet li jikkundannaw b’mod drastiku d-diskriminazzjoni skont orjentazzoni sesswali.

EC: Trans and Intersex People - Discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender identity and gender expression

European Commission, by Silvan Agius and Christa Tobler
View the entire document [here] (Back-up here).


Executive summary

Within the broader context of discrimination, discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and gender expression, as well as discrimination on grounds of sex vis-à-vis intersex people, are particularly complex issues. This is due to the fact that the legal recognition and rights afforded to this community are often intertwined with specific medical and psychological obligatory requirements. Whilst most of the report deals with discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and gender expression, a brief part focuses on the specific discrimination that intersex people face.

Sunday 3 February 2013

Times: Bigoted ideas about gays

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130201/letters/Bigoted-ideas-about-gays.455720
Friday, February 1, 2013 by Terry Shaw, Għarb

Joe Zammit’s assertion (January 29) that in a relationship between two men or two women “there can never be love but only lust” must take the prize for being one of the most astoundingly wrong and offensive statements ever.

On what evidence is the statement based? If I knew as little about a subject as Mr Zammit clearly knows about this one, I think I might be inclined to say nothing about it.

Times: Gay union is no marriage

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130129/letters/Gay-union-is-no-marriage.455277
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 by Joe Zammit, Paola

It was God, and no one else, who created human beings men and women. It was also God who made the institution of marriage as a union between one man and one woman forever, with the inherent dual purpose of mutual love and procreation.

This type of marriage can never be substituted by a pseudo one.

Times: AD reiterates commitment to equal rights for all, including LGBT

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130201/elections-news/ad-reiterates-committment.455687
Friday, February 1, 2013, 09:10


Alternattiva Demokratika has reiterated its commitment to ensure that Maltese LGBT people are treated as full citizens without exception, enjoying all the rights and responsibilities as all other citizens.

AD spokeswoman for social policy and civil rights, Angele Deguara said that AD’s manifesto met all six priorities identified by MGRM for the next legislature.

Malta Today: AD reiterates support for full LGBT equality

Green party in meeting with Malta Gay Rights Movement
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/elections2013/AD-reiterates-support-for-full-LGBT-equality-20130201
Friday 1 February 2013 - 11:05 by a Staff Reporter

Alternattiva Demokratika reiterated its commitment to ensure that Maltese lesbian, gay, bi and transsexual people would be treated as full citizens without exception, enjoying all rights and responsibilities as all other citizens.

In a meeting held upon request of the Malta Gay Rights Movement, AD spokesperson Angele Deguara said AD was pleased to announce that its manifesto met all six priorities identified by MGRM for the next legislature.

"We are also pleased to be raising the national bar in favour of marriage equality and the removal of discrimination in parenting and adoption legislation, thus ensuring that Maltese LGBT people are treated at a par with fellow LGBT people in modern European countries like Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden; and soon France and the United Kingdom," Deguara said.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: "In parliament AD will ensure that LGBT issues are on the agenda. Alternattiva Demokratika is the only party that stands for real and uncompromised change for LGBT people. We are proud to support MGRM in this regard."

Independent: Venice breaks with St Petersburg on Anti-Gay Law

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-01-29/news/venice-breaks-with-st-petersburg-on-anti-gay-law-771325954/
Tuesday, 29 January 2013, 15:46


Venice is seeking to break off cultural relations with St Petersburg because of the Russian city's legislation curbing gay rights.

The city council invoked Venice's "history, international prestige and conscience" in a motion unanimously approved Monday evening asking the city administration to refrain from cultural exchanges as long as anti-gay laws are in place. The motion says "the city of Venice cannot ignore what is happening in the institutions" and asked officials to communicate the reason for the unilateral action.

NOTICES: Request for Interviews, MGRM AGM

1. Masculinity and Homosexuality in the Maltese Educational System

I am Jonathan Borg and I am currently reading for a doctorate in Educational Studies at the University of Sheffield, UK. I would like to investigate issues of masculinity and homosexuality in the Maltese Educational System - an issue which, many still consider as sensitive within the educational framework. This research can be only be effective with the help and participation of gay teachers. Ideally, applying teachers should be Maltese who have taught in Primary/Secondary schools in Malta/Gozo. Two to three interviews will be carried out with the selected participants at their own convenience. The participants' details will be anonymised all throughout the process and total confidentiality will be ensured. Those who feel interested can contact me personally on 99225717 or send me an email on gianni865@hotmail.com. I truly look forward to working with you!

2. The Zone, The Times

"The Zone at timesofmalta.com is a youth oriented section with video content only, which aims to educate the younger audience in Malta about the various professions and career paths one can take. With equal importance I want to cover various social subjects young people in Malta deal with, one of them – sexual orientation. Should you believe that it is important to speak up, please contact me, I would like to conduct an interview on the subject of sexuality and the problems gay youngsters in Malta are faced with.

3. Malta Gay Rights Movement - Annual General Meeting

Date: Wednesday, 27th February 2013
Venue: MGRM Office, 32, Parish Street, Mosta [1]
Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm

An information session will be held on Saturday 16th February 2013 between 9.30am and 12.30pm for those wishing to form part of the MGRM committee or who wish to volunteer with the organisation. If you are interested in attending please send an email to support@maltagayrights.org.

Times: Russian Duma backs law to ban ‘gay propaganda’

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130127/world/Russian-Duma-backs-law-to-ban-gay-propaganda-.454909
Sunday, January 27, 2013 by Reuters

Russia’s Parliament backed a draft law banning ‘homosexual propaganda’ in what critics see as an attempt to shore up support for President Vladimir Putin in the country’s largely conservative society.
It is relying on the ignorance of people who think homosexuality is some sort of distortion

Only one deputy in the State Duma lower house voted against the bill, but passions spilled over outside the chamber, where 20 people were detained after scuffles between Russian Orthodox Christians and gay activists.

Times: ‘The country has changed, grown up’
[Interview: Dr Eddie Fenech Adami]

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130127/interview/-The-country-has-changed-grown-up-.454915
Sunday, January 27, 2013
[Excerpt from the article. Click on the hyperlink above to read the complete article.]

Former President, Prime Minister and Nationalist icon Eddie Fenech Adami speaks to Herman Grech about the election campaign, internal dissent and shifting ideologies.
We’re three weeks into the election campaign. What do you think of it so far?
I am completely out of politics. I hardly speak to anyone. And no, I’m not consulted by anyone, and I’m not complaining
It’s a reflection that the country has come a long way. I don’t think we’re expecting anything extraordinary to happen. It’s one of the best campaigns in any election I can remember – in the sense that it’s quiet and orderly. It’s talked about, but no great shakes.
... 
Has the PN become too liberal?
I think there are elements one would call “too liberal” in the PN, and that’s nothing new. The PN has always had within itself people of different outlooks; some were more liberal than others. The basic foundation of the PN, if I could go back to the motto of the 1880s, is Religio et Patria. Religio meant principles, it meant what the Christians’ faith stands for. On the whole the PN has kept true to its foundations.
A year-and-a-half ago, the PN was fighting against the introduction of divorce. Now, on the eve of an election, it is proposing civil partnerships for gay couples and imposing a constitution ban on sexual orientation discrimination. Isn’t this a significant shift in its ideology?
Yes, it would be a significant shift in its ideology but there isn’t that shift. There are people advocating that shift but I don’t think it will come about because the roots of the PN will remain faithful to its origins. I think the words Religio et Patria have to be interpreted in quite a different context now, but they’re still there. They’re still the inspiring force of the PN.
...

Times: 63 pct of French back gay marriage

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130126/world/63-pct-of-french-back-gay-marriage.454892
Saturday, January 26, 2013, 18:51

The number of people who support the legalisation of same-sex marriage in France has risen despite major protests against the government's planned reforms earlier this month, a new poll by Ifop for news website Atlantico.fr showed.

The proportion of those surveyed supporting the change in the law rose to 63 percent from 60 percent in early January and December.

Malta Today: Gay rights protesters arrested in Russia

The Russian parliament has backed a ban on the promotion of homosexuality among children in its first reading, amid unrest on the streets outside.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Gay-rights-protesters-arrested-in-Russia-20130127
Sunday 27 January 2013 - 09:33

Activists were arrested after holding a "kiss-in" outside lower house of parliament to protest new bill banning "homosexual propaganda."

Gay rights campaigners were arrested on Friday in Moscow while staging a "kiss-in" protest outside the building of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, over a proposed bill banning homosexual "propaganda."