Times: Austria's 'bearded lady' Conchita Wurst wins Eurovision Song Contest

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140511/local/austrias-bearded-lady-conchita-wurst-wins-eurovision-song-contest.518467
Sunday, May 11, 2014, 00:31

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg2rwY0GNyc

Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst, popularly known as "the bearded lady," won the Eurovision Song Contest with the James Bond-theme-like ballad "Rise Like a Phoenix", before a global TV audience of about 180 million people in 45 countries.

Malta's representative, Firelight singing the song Coming Home, gave a confident performance but failed to get points from the majority of countries, finishing off 23rd with a total of 32 votes.

Times: EP calls for roadmap to tackle discrimination and homophobia

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140204/local/ep-calls-for-roadmap-to-tackle.505495#.UvJ_yWKmw8k
Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 14:22

The European Parliament has adopted a recommendation for the adoption of an EU roadmap to tackle discrimination and homophobia.

A report adopted with the recommendation condemns discrimination, and calls on the European Commission, Member States and relevant agencies to work on a comprehensive policy to protect the fundamental rights of LGBT people.

Independent: EU court: gays in civil pacts have same benefits

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-12-12/news/eu-court-gays-in-civil-pacts-have-same-benefits-3448438785/
Thursday, 12 December 2013, 11:22



The European Union's highest court has ruled that in EU countries where gay couples can't marry, they must get the same benefits as married people if they enter into civil partnerships.

The EU Court of Justice ruled Thursday in the case of Frederic Hay, a French bank worker who was denied the extra leave and bonuses given to married employees after he entered into a civil pact with his male partner. At the time, French law restricted marriage to people of different sexes.

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.

Malta Today: Malta ranks 18th in European ‘rainbow map’ of gay rights

Rainbow Europe map published by the International Lesbian Gay Association, sees the UK topping the scoreboard with 77%

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Malta-ranks-18th-in-European-rainbow-map-of-gay-rights-20130516
Thursday 16 May 2013 - 18:45 by James Debono



Malta stands in 18th place in a ranking of 49 European countries indexed by ILGA-Europe in its 'Rainbow map', which assesses the laws of each country which impact on the LBGTI community.

The Rainbow Europe map, published today by the International Lesbian Gay Association, sees the UK topping the scoreboard with 77% on a checklist of laws that include rules on non-discrimination, gender recognition and hate speech. Next in line are Belgium (67), Sweden, Spain, Portugal (65%) and France with 64 percent.

Independent: EU Survey reveals many gays live in fear

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-05-17/news/eu-survey-reveals-many-gays-live-in-fear-1617625092/

Friday, 17 May 2013, 10:27



The European Union is calling for action to counter discrimination and violence against homosexuals after a major survey revealed many gays are living in fear across the 27-nation bloc.

Morten Kjaerum of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights says action is needed "to break down the barriers, eliminate the hate and create a society where everyone can fully enjoy their rights."

Independent: How on Earth are we going to get a woman PM?

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2012-11-25/opinions/how-on-earth-are-we-going-to-get-a-woman-pm-433356804/
Sunday, 25 November 2012, 09:15 , by Pamela Hansen

So the Maltese are ready for a woman to lead the country and were actually more disposed towards this idea than their European counterparts. Pull the other one, it’s got bells on.

According to a Eurobarometer survey with 500 people, carried out by Misco last June, 84 per cent of Maltese respondents would feel comfortable with a female prime minister and they were actually more disposed towards this idea than their European counterparts, reported Ivan Camilleri in The Times on Friday.

Malta Today: Maltese not keen on transgender, non-Catholic prime minister

Eurobarometer finds Maltese more prejudiced towards PM of different religious, ethnic background or transgender leader.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Maltese-not-keen-on-transgender-non-Catholic-prime-minister-20121122
Thursday 22 November 2012 - 15:38 by James Debono


Vladimir Luxoria was the first openly transgender MP in Europe, and the world's second openly transgender MP after New Zealander Georgina Beyer.

The Maltese profess themselves to be "very comfortable" with having a female or even a disabled Prime Minister, but are less likely to feel at home if the highest-elected official in the country was a transgender person, or someone who is not Catholic or white.

Malta Today: Updated | Gay rights, humanist NGOs call on MEPs to reject Borg

NGOs have called on MEPs to vote against Tonio Borg, claiming they were dissatisfied with the way in which he addressed issues related to sexual and reproductive health.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Gay-rights-humanist-NGOs-call-on-MEPs-to-reject-Borg-20121120
Tuesday 20 November 2012 - 15:11 by a Staff Reporter

Prof. Arnold Cassola, AD spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, has written to the Green Group in the European Parliament stating that Alternattiva Demokratika is against Tonio Borg's nomination.

"AD is not against Borg's nomination because he is a Catholic but because he has tried to impose his personal views on everybody, with regards to gay rights and divorce, and because he was in favour of Berlusconi's pushback policy of migrants as well as sending Eritrean refugees back home to be tortured as evidenced by Amnesty International and UNHCR..... which goes against the basic teaching of the Catholic church. The personal faith of every person, including Commissioners, should be always respected, whatever it is," Cassola said.

Malta Today: LGBT-intergroup president Michael Cashman to reject Tonio Borg

British Labour MEP says he cannot endorse Tonio Borg for the European Commission.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/LGBT-intergroup-president-Michael-Cashman-to-reject-Tonio-Borg-20121114
Wednesday 14 November 2012 - 17:33 by Matthew Vella


British Labour MEP Michel Cashman at Tonio Borg's hearing.

The president of the LGBT-rights intergroup in the European Parliament said he cannot endorse Malta's foreign minister Tonio Borg for the post of Commissioner of the EU.

Michael Cashman had previously welcomed Borg's request for a bilateral meeting to discuss his previous statements on gay rights which the LGBT-rights intergroup felt barred him from being a suitable candidate for commissioner for health and consumer policy.

Times: Update 2: ALDE, Greens reject Tonio Borg's nomination, Socialists not yet decided

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121114/local/alde-rejects-tonio-borg-s-nomination-for-health-commissioner.445357
Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 13:33

ALDE and Green MEPS have rejected Tonio Borg's candidacy for EU Health Commissioner.

During Dr Borg's hearing yesterday, ALDE MEPs expressed serious concerns about his past record which, they said in a statement, suggested a discriminatory attitude on homosexuality, divorce and abortion.

Malta Star: MEP Cashman, LGBT Intergroup's head will not endorse Borg

http://www.maltastar.com/dart/20121114-mep-cashman-lgbt-intergroup-head-will-not-endorse-borg
Wednesday, 14 Nov 2012, 16:47



British Michael Cashman head of EP's LGBT's rights intergroup said that after giving a lot of thought he will not endorse Tonio Borg for the EU nomination.

Yesterday before Borg hearing at the European Parliament in Brussels, Cashman stated that the Maltese designate commissioner "personal views would not affect his actions". He even tweeted that "if youjudge before, you lose the argument".

ILGA: NGOs: Reject Tonio Borg at plenary vote at the European Parliament

http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/news/for_media/media_releases/tonio_borg_15_november

Tonio Borg at the hearing on 13 November 2012

15/11/2012

Civil society organisations: “We call for the rejection of Tonio Borg’s nomination at plenary vote at the European Parliament”

On 13 November 2012, Tonio Borg, Malta’s new nominee for the post of the EU Health Commissioner, was heard by the members of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.

Prior to the hearing, our organisations called on the Members of the European Parliament to reject Tonio Borg’s nomination. After the hearing, we continue to have serious concerns about his nomination.

During the hearing, Mr Borg addressed some of the issues raised by our organisations and he made a few commitments towards abiding by the EU Fundamental Rights’ Charter, particularly with regards to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people. However, we are highly dissatisfied with the way in which he addressed issues related to sexual and reproductive health, women’s rights and rights of migrants.

Despite commitments made at the hearing, our organisations’ strong objection to his nomination still remains. Mr. Borg’s political track record shows that his personal views have a strong influence on his political actions, despite reassurance to the contrary

We call on the European Parliament to reject Tonio Borg’s candidature on the basis of facts, which included his documented track record as well as on the basis of the Parliament hearing of 13 November 2012.

We ask you to vote against Tonio Borg’s nomination next Wednesday at the plenary vote on 21 November 2012 .

Signatories:

Catholics for Choice www.catholicsforchoice.org

European Humanist Federation www.humanistfederation.eu

EAFT - European Association of Free Thought www.aepl.eu

ENAR – European Network against Racism www.enar-eu.org

EATG – European AIDS Treatment Group www.eatg.org

European Women's Lobby - www.womenlobby.org

ILGA-Europe –European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Associationwww.ilga-europe.org

IPPF European Network – International Planned Parenthood Federation www.ippfen.org

PICUM – Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants www.picum.org

Contacts

Catholics for Choice: David Nolan, Communications Director, 202-986-6093

ENAR: Georgina Siklossy, Communication and Press Officer, +32 2 229 35 77, georgina@enar-eu.org

EATG: Ann Isabelle von Lingen, Policy Officer, +32 491 348 317, annisabelle.vonlingen@eatg.org and Oleksandr Martynenko, Communications Coordinator, + 32 491 348 312 , oleksandr.martynenko@eatg.org

ILGA-Europe: Juris Lavrikovs, Communications Manager, +32 496 708 375, juris@ilga-europe.org

IPPF: Irene Donadio, Manager Public Affairs, idonadio@ippfen.org and Marie-Agnès Lenoir, Senior Communications Advisor, +32 2 250 0950, mlenoir@ippfen.org

PICUM: Kadri Soova, Advocacy Officer +32 496 451 291, kadri.soova@picum.org

Additional information – briefings and statements on Tonio Borg

• Joint statement from 12 November 2012
• Factsheet by Catholics for Choice
• Briefing by the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights prepared with IPPF, EATG, Stop AIDS Alliance and ILGA-Europe
• PICUM letter to MEPs
• Letter to MEPs by Catholics for Choice

Malta Today: Secular groups plan to protest against the Commissioner-designate

Candidacy is 'certainly very bad for the image of Malta in Europe' says secularists who will protest Borg nomination.

http://maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Secular-groups-plan-to-protest-against-the-Commissioner-designate-20121030
National Tuesday 30 October 2012 - 17:05 by Raphael Vassallo

Tonio Borg.

The nomination of Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg to replace John Dalli on the Commission has not gone down well with NGOs representing Europe's secular liberal interests, and protests are planned to coincide with his screening by the European parliament on 13 November.

L-Orizzont: Meħtiega “roadmap” li tippromwovi drittijiet għall-persuni gay u leżbjani

http://www.orizzont.com.mt/FullArticle.php?ID1='Ahbarijiet'&ID2=96669
8.10.12 minn Sammy Sammut

Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea kienet imħeġġa tipproduċi “roadmap” li tippromwovi drittijiet għal persuni gay u leżbjani. Dan l-appell sar fi tmiem ta’ laqgħa li saret fil-Parlament Ewropew dwar kwistjonijiet li jolqtu mill-qrib persuni trans u intersesswali.

Il-laqgħa, organizzata mill-Intergroup għad-Drittijiet LGBT fi ħdan il-Parlament Ewropew, saret wara l-pubb­likazzjoni ta’ rapport ġdid dwar persuni trans u intersesswali, miktub minn żewġ uffiċjali ta’ ILGA-Europe, il-Malti Silvan Agius u Christa Tobler, li kien ikkummissjonat mill-European Network of Legal Experts fil-qasam ta’ non-diskriminazzjoni.

L-Orizzont: Il-kriminalità fl-Unjoni Ewropea - Direttiva ġdida għall-protezzjoni tal-vittmi

http://www.orizzont.com.mt/FullArticle.php?ID1='Ahbarijiet'&ID2=95717
15.9.2012 minn Sammy Sammut

Il-Parlament Ewropew app­rova direttiva ġdida li tistabbilixxi standards minimi dwar id-drittijiet, l-appoġġ u l-protezzjoni tal-vittmi tal-kriminalità. B’mod notevoli, hekk kif tidħol fis-seħħ, din il-liġi se tkun qiegħda tipp­rovdi għajnuna u protezzjoni speċifika lil dawk il-persuni li jisfgħu vittmi ta’ xi reat kriminali minħabba l-orjentazzjoni sesswali, l-identità tal-ġeneru jew l-espressjoni tal-ġeneru tagħhom. Din hi l-ewwel darba li liġi tal-UE ssemmi b’mod speċifiku l-espressjoni tal-ġeneru. 

Telegraph: Gay man disowned by father publishes final 'hate' letter

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/9460500/Gay-man-disowned-by-father-publishes-final-hate-letter.html
7:00AM BST 08 Aug 2012 By Hannah Furness

A gay man who was disowned by his father after he came out has published the final farewell letter he received, in an attempt to expose the “zealotry”, “intolerance” and “persecution” he has been subjected to.

The hand written letter has been viewed by nearly 800,000 people across the world Photo: ALAMY

Spiegel: German Minister Supports Tax Benefits for Gay Couples

'Consistent with Conservative Values' 

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-family-minister-in-favor-of-tax-benefits-for-gay-couples-a-848693.html 
08/07/2012 01:28 PM

Germany has long been taking incremental steps toward full legal equality between gay and heterosexual couples. Now, the country's family minister has come out in favor of extending existing tax benefits to those in a civil union, saying it is consistent with conservative values because gay couples take "lasting responsibility" for one another.

A gay couple after their civil ceremony. (DPA)

EU: "Discrimination hampers development" – Commissioner Piebalgs launches a new initiative to fight discrimination in developing countries

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/547&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission - Press release Brussels, 01 June 2012 - EU Commissioner Piebalgs today unveiled the launch of a new €20 million package to help fight against any kind of discrimination - whether based on gender or sexual orientation, religion or belief, race or ethnic origin, or disability - which affects millions of people around the world. The announcement was made during an event at the European Commission. High level speakers exchanged views on how to move ahead towards tolerant democracies as well as the added value of non-discrimination and the promotion of human rights to unlock sources of development and enable inclusive growth. The EU announced that this new package will be available for NGOs and civil society groups to tackle incidences of any kind of discrimination on the ground. European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, said: "It is clear that no country can develop in the long term when some minorities face serious threats, intimidation and even violence because of who they are. Since I took office, I have put the promotion of human rights and human development at the core of EU development policy. The new package launched today is a clear signal of the EU's determination to help civil society and willing partners to make diversity acceptable and an asset of our societies". Member of the European Parliament, Michael Cashman, said: "This new call to combat discrimination is part of a shared global agenda for tolerant democracies. The European Commission is right to put so much effort into equality as part of the EU’s development strategy, and we in the European Parliament wholeheartedly support this. Soon we will have to approve the second revision of the Cotonou Agreement. We are sincerely committed to this in partnership with ACP governments and civil society.” Participants exchanged points of views but also good practices and testimonies from the ground, both within the EU and abroad. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navanethem Pillay, Ernst & Young partner, Ms L. Bingham, as well as NGOs such as "Sexual Minorities Uganda" and Coalition Advocating for the Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO) from Trinidad and Tobago, participated. A new support package €20m euros will be available in the new funding package announced today. It is the first funding specifically set up for the purpose of non-discrimination under the current EIDHR. The funding will be launched through the Commission's Call for Proposals in 2013. Through its European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the EU is also active in combatting racism and supporting minority groups, for example through the provision of funding to support civil society projects in this area. The EIDHR has just funded a project to help to improve conditions for the Roma community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example. The Roma population suffers a legacy of discrimination in these countries, resulting in widespread poverty, unemployment, homelessness and lack of access to education. The €90,000 funding through the EIDHR aims to help Roma groups achieve greater political representation, promoting the inclusion of minority group's rights in the national constitution through a series of training sessions, national debates and workshops to encourage Roma to become politically active, as well as campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of voting. As a result of the project, 90% of the Roma voted in local elections. The EIDHR also supports Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) groups around the world – monitoring information on LGBTI rights, raising awareness on this issue and supporting individual cases through prison visits and court hearings. It also provides emergency assistance (from psychosocial assistance through to medical care) to the most vulnerable LGBTI people in need of support. Around 80 countries still criminalise same-sex relations, and in seven of these it is still punishable by the death penalty. For further information Website of DG Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm Website of the EU Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/piebalgs/index_en.htm Contacts : Catherine Ray (+32 2 296 99 21) Wojtek Talko (+32 2 297 85 51)