Government of Malta: Marriage Act Amendment - Commencement Notice

Legal Notice 212, Government of Malta
http://justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=28624&l=1

L.N. 212 of 2017 - MARRIAGE ACT AND OTHER LAWS (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2017
(ACT No. XXIII of 2017)

Commencement Notice
IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by article 1(2) of the Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2017, the Minister for European Affairs and Equality has established the 1st of September 2017 as the date when all the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.

https://gov.mt/en/Government/Government%20Gazette/Documents/2017/08/Government%20Gazette%20-%2029th%20August,%202017.pdf

Government Gazzette 19,854 

L.N. 212 of 2017: Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act No. XXIII of 2017); Commencement Notice - 29th August 2017.

We Made History - 12.7.2017

Times: 200 gay marriages since civil union legislation

Opposition to object to replacement of 'husband' and 'wife' by 'spouse'

https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170626/local/parliamentary-debate-on-gay-marriage-underway.651753
Monday, June 26, 2017, 20:55



Updated 9:45pm

Two hundred gay couples have married since the civil union legislation, two gay couples have adopted while five others are in the process of adopting, and 70 persons applied to formally declare their gender identity, according to information which emerged during tonight’s parliamentary debate on the Marriage Act and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill.

Independent: PM Muscat commits himself to passing gay marriage law before summer

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-06-04/local-news/PM-Muscat-commits-himself-to-passing-gay-marriage-law-before-summer-6736175061

Helena Grech, Sunday, 4 June 2017, 12:45


Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, upon entering the Naxxar counting hall, said that the results are “humbling”.

Taking comments, he said that Parliament has much work to do, that it will be meeting before the summer recess and that the government is committed to passing the gay marriage legislation that has been sitting on the shelf.

Gay Malta & MGRM: Il-Manifest Elettorali u l-LGBTIQ

Q&A Session between the LGBTIQ Community and the main Political Parties
https://www.gaymalta.com/2017-election


On Saturday 20th May arc & MGRM co-organised a public Q&A session titled "il-Manifest Elettorali u l-LGBTIQ".
​
The four main political parties participated in the Q&A session focused on LGBTIQ issues. The Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat, Opposition Leader Dr Simon Busuttil, Ralph Cassar (AD) and Dr Godfrey Farrugia (PD) put forward their LGBTIQ electoral proposals and answered any questions from those present.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4oYwCqib5g

​

Malta Today: Malta retains top place in Europe gay rights ranking

2016 saw Malta introduced gender identity law and ban on harmful conversion practices, but issues remain outstanding with access to reproductive health for same sex couples still criminalised

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/77277/malta_retains_top_place_in_europe_gay_rights_ranking
Matthew Vella, 17 May 2017, 9:00am, Print Version


After introducing civil unions in 2014, both parties now approve of gay marriage

For the second year running Malta ranks first on ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Index, maintaining its classification among 49 Council of Europe Member States where LGBTIQ legislation and policy are concerned.

In 2016 Malta introduced the Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act, banning harmful gay conversion practices and ensuring that no sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression could be considered an illness or disease.

Times: PN to include gay marriage in manifesto

'It is the next logical step'

https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170513/local/pn-to-include-gay-marriage-in-manifesto.647860
Saturday, May 13, 2017, 20:10



The Nationalist Party will be including gay marriage in its electoral manifesto.

Speaking during a live Facebook session this evening, party leader Simon Busuttil, who, together with the rest of Nationalist MPs, had abstained when the issue of civil unions had been voted upon in Parliament, said this was the next logical step even if to prevent the matter from continuing to be politicised.

When Parliament had debated civil unions, Dr Busuttil had said that while the Opposition agreed with unions among gay couples, it had reservations on allowing them to adopt children and felt that more studies were necessary.

Dr Busuttil said he believed that all rights that had been given by this government should be retained and the fear that was being spread was baseless.

The Facebook session can be followed here.

Times: 163 registered civil unions in three years

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170415/local/163-registered-civil-unions-in-three-years.645261

Saturday, April 15, 2017, 16:23



A total of 163 couples were united through the civil union law in three years, according to Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli.

The number includes 22 same-sex couples who had initially been registered overseas while a baby was also adopted by a gay couple in the same period.

Attitude: Man Proposes to his Boyfriend with a little help from the NBA's Chigago Bulls - watch

http://attitude.co.uk/man-proposes-to-his-boyfriend-with-a-little-help-from-the-nbas-chicago-bulls-watch/

This is one basketball game Jake Conrad and his boyfriend won't forget.

[Watch video]

It was a slam dunk for Jake Conrad after American basketball team the Chicago Bulls helped him create an unforgettable proposal for boyfriend Michael Holtzman on Thursday (December 8).

The video, which has racked up over 800,000 views in four days, shows the Bull’s mascot Benny bringing Michael on stage as Jake prepares to pop the question.

The team’s cheerleaders dance, before creating an aisle for Jake to walk through. Armed with a candy Ring Pop, Jake then asks Michael to marry him.

Watch the video below to see Michael’s reaction…

One News: ESKLUSSIVA: L-ewwel adozzjoni fost dawk b’Unjoni Ċivili

http://www.one.com.mt/news/esklussiva-l-ewwel-adozzjoni-fost-dawk-bunjoni-civili/



Perjodu twil ta’ skrutinju u proċeduri għall-koppja gay li xtaqet trabbi l-ulied intemm it-Tlieta filgħodu meta fil-Qorti tal-Familja kienet approvata l-adozzjoni ta’ wild għal żewġ irġiel.

Kien one.com.mt li żvela kif żewġ irġiel li fl-aħħar xhur immarkaw l-imħabba tagħhom f’Unjoni Ċivili. Biex b’hekk ingħataw id-drittijiet kollha ta’ żwieġ.

Gay Star News: WATCH this perfect wedding filmed by drone in Malta

Amazing footage from a marriage in Malta basically set a template for your own wedding

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/watch-perfect-wedding-filmed-drone-malta/#gs.6vbYcaQ



Weddings come in all shapes and size, but we think this one in Malta was just right.

Karl Boxall and Simon Law got married in sunny Malta (both are Maltese) on June 11. They filmed much of the ceremony by drone.

Guardian: Colombia's highest court paves way for marriage equality in surprise ruling

Magistrates vote against proposal that said marriage applied only to unions between men and women and that it was up to the congress to decide

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/07/colombia-court-gay-marriage-ruling

Sibylla Brodzinsky in Bogotá
Friday 8 April 2016 00.07 BSTLast modified on Friday 8 April 201600.08 BST

 

Colombia could become the fourth Latin American nation to fully allow same-sex marriage. Photograph: John Vizcaino/Reuters
Colombia’s highest court has given the green light to gay marriage in the conservative, mostly Catholic country.

The magistrates of the constitutional court voted six to three against a proposed ruling that said marriage applied only to unions between men and women and that it was up to the congress and not the court to decide on same-sex marriage.

Times: Italy's Senate approves civil unions, but without adoptions

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160225/world/italys-senate-approves-civil-unions-but-without-adoptions.603743
Thursday, February 25, 2016, 21:11



Italy's Senate has voted to grant legal recognition to civil unions, as the last holdout in Western Europe took a compromise step to give some rights to gay couples after a years-long battle.

Premier Matteo Renzi described the passage of the bill as "historic".

But gay and lesbian groups denounced the legislation as a betrayal because Mr Renzi's Democratic Party sacrificed a provision to allow gay adoption in order to ensure passage.

The legislation, which must still pass the lower Chamber of Deputies, is nevertheless significant for an overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country where the Vatican holds sway in politics and society, although Pope Francis remained silent as debate raged in recent months.

It passed 173-71, well over the threshold necessary.

Pink News: Greek Parliament passes same-sex civil unions law

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/12/23/greek-parliament-passes-same-sex-civil-unions-law/
23rd December 2015, 9:22 AM by Nick Duffy


(Photo by LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Greece has become the latest country to recognise same-sex unions, after passing a civil partnership law.

Members of the Greek parliament voted last night on re-drafting a civil partnerships law from 2008, which explicitly banned same-sex couples.

Our Wedding: You had me at Hello: Christian & Clayton

Hot on the heels of their recent Civil Union, Christian Vella and Clayton Mercieca share memories from their special day with OurWedding, as well as what it means to them to be recognised as a couple by the State following the introduction of the Civil Unions Act.

http://www.ourwedding.com.mt/en/you-had-me-at-hello-christian-clayton

November 2015

A one-time virtual chat between Christian, a research and programme officer at the International Institute on Ageing, and Clayton, a manager in investment promotion at Malta Enterprise, quickly revealed that the two had lots in common. It wasn’t until a year later, however, when Christian returned to Malta after a year-long internship in the UK, that they bumped into each other at a party.

Weddings-Malta: Stylish Civil Unions & Honeymoons

http://www.weddings-malta.com/fairs-events/stylish
September 2015

On the 10th and 11th October 2015 at Stylish Civil Unions & Honeymoons you will meet gay-friendly vendors who are ready, willing and able to make wedding dreams come true whether its bride-bride or groom-groom! In addition, you will be able to save money too.

Civil unions carry the same needs as traditional weddings and the Stylish Civil Unions & Honeymoons is an excellent opportunity for attendees to meet face-to-face with many businesses that provide the professional services you need in planning this special occasion.

Our exhibitors will be offering planning ideas, free samples, and much more! – from gowns, suits, planners, caterers, florists, cake companies, rings, venues, invitations, photographers, entertainers, financial and legal consultants, transport, honeymoon destinations and other professional wedding services, you will find everything you are looking for to prepare for the big day in style.

Many of the exhibitors will have special packages available for this event.

To enquire about stand prices and to receive a copy of the floor plan please contact Chrystelle Doublesin on +356 22911061 or email weddings@phoeniciamalta.com

  

The Exhibitors

CLICK HERE to know more about the carefully selected exhibitors for the 2015 edition of Stylish

The Location

Stylish Civil Unions and Honeymoons will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Phoenicia, entrance from Great seige road.

Hotel Phoenicia
The Mall
Floriana
Malta

Pink News: Congratulations! Supreme Court brings marriage equality across the US

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/06/26/congratulations-supreme-court-brings-marriage-equality-across-the-us/
26th June 2015, 3:05 PM by Nick Duffy [69 reader comments]

The US Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right – paving the way for weddings in all 50 states.

The highest court in the US made a surprise early decision today on same-sex marriage, after hearing ‘mega-case’ Obergefell v. Hodges.

A ruling had not been expected until Monday from the nine Supreme Court justices, who are attempting to resolve a ‘split’ in lower courts on the issue – and as such could decide on the issue once and for all for the entire country.

TouTube: Human Rights Above Religion - Tooji

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMMeHWgi1pA

Irish Independent 'I laughed along with the homophobic chatter - then my son came out'

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/referendum/i-laughed-along-with-the-homophobic-chatter-then-my-son-came-out-31243276.html
22/05/2015 | 02:30 by 22/05/2015 | 02:30 Tom Hickey

Hickey with Gabriel Byrne during his time in college as president of the Trinity College Philosophical Society.

Homosexuals didn't exist when I was growing up. I never knowingly met one, never really thought about them until I came across the story of Oscar Wilde. To say I was shocked was putting it mildly: I simply couldn't comprehend two men having sex with one another. And lesbians? Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather.

As I grew older, I noticed a few effeminate characters who I assumed - without ever knowing definitively - were homosexual. Television played a large part in how I viewed them. These were guys with exaggerated mannerisms and squeaky voices. Queers in other words. How we laughed at one of our classmates who certainly fitted the description.

BBC News: Gay marriage Yes vote shows how much Republic of Ireland has changed

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32858142
23 May 2015

There were emotional scenes as referendum votes were counted in Dublin

The BBC's Shane Harrison looks at how the Republic of Ireland's vote in favour of legalising same-sex marriage caps an extraordinary week for the country.

The Republic has become the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage in a popular vote, just days after the Prince of Wales visited Mullaghmore in County Sligo where his great-uncle Lord Mountbatten was murdered by the IRA in 1979.