Lovin Malta: WATCH: I'm Ben, I'm Two Years Old And I'm Making History

A Maltese boy's journey to a loving home

https://lovinmalta.com/lifestyle/video-1/watch-im-ben-im-two-years-old-and-im-making-history
Chucky Bartolo March 2017

Little Ben is making history. He was the first child to be adopted by a Maltese same-sex couple Kris and Steve.

Ben also happens to have Down Syndrome.

Malta first met Ben eight months ago, after his father, Kris, posted a touching message on Facebook introducing him to the world, and thanking everyone for their support. But we now know that Ben's journey wasn't always easy, and he's overcome incredible odds to be the superstar he is today.

Lovin Malta: Meet Ben, The First Child Adopted By A Same-Sex Couple In Malta

And y'all are crazy if you attack this family based on what you claim is the "best interest of the child".

https://lovinmalta.com/feature/meet-ben-the-first-child-adopted-by-a-same-sex-couple-in-malta

14.7.2016 by Chucky Bartolo

Yesterday, after news broke that Malta's court had given the go-ahead for the first adoption of a child by a same-sex couple, Malta's Facebook exploded.

Many praised the move as a huge leap forward for Malta, while others rambled on about the doom and gloom this would bring about; flinging around the classic arguments the anti-adoption camp always do (something about it being "unnatural" and "not in the child's best interest").

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.

Times: Court gives go-ahead for adoption by gay couple in first for Malta

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160713/local/court-gives-go-ahead-for-adoption-by-gay-couple-in-first-for-malta.618685
Wednesday, July 13, 2016, 07:46



A gay couple has become the first in Malta to adopt a child in the wake of its civil union.

One News reported that the go-ahead for adoption was given by the Family Court yesterday for the adoption by the two men.

The Civil Unions law gives same-sex couples the same rights as in marriage, including the right to adopt, although gay adoptions were never technically illegal.

The adoption process is centred around an assessment of the suitability of the applicants by the Family Court.

Reuters: Portugal parliament overturns veto on adoption by gay couples

http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKKCN0VJ1Z0?irpc=932
(Reporting by Andrei Khalip; editing by Katharine Houreld)
Wed, Feb 10 17:00 PM GMT

LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's parliament on Wednesday overturned the presidential veto on a bill legalising adoption by same-sex couples, which means conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva will have to sign it into law before his term ends in March.

Guardian: Children of same-sex couples healthier, says Australian study

But researchers warn the stigma associated with parents' sexual orientation is an ongoing challenge for children

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/07/children-of-same-sex-couples-healthier-says-australian-study
Australian Associated Press, Monday 7 July 2014 02.27 BST

The children were equivalent to those from the general population on measures of temperament and mood, behaviour, mental health and self-esteem. Photograph: Queerstock, Inc./Alamy

Children of same-sex couples experience higher levels of general health and family cohesion than those from traditional families, a study shows. But the researchers warn that the stigma associated with their parents' sexual orientation is an ongoing challenge for these children.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne surveyed 315 same-sex parents with a total of 500 children. About 80% of the children have female parents, while 18% have male parents.

Times: Minister reacts as Adoptions Board head laments lack of consultation

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140512/local/minister-reacts-as-adoptions-board-head-laments-lack-of-consultation.518667
Monday, May 12, 2014, 08:39




The chairman of the Adoptions Board has expressed disgust at the way adoption by same-sex couples has been “surreptitiously” introduced in the law on civil unions.

Ivan Grech Mintoff refused to reply to questions about the board’s position on the actual issue of gay adoption, saying it had been instructed not to comment. But he was more forthcoming on the manner in which the measure was introduced: “I can tell you outright that we were not consulted before gay adoptions became part of the Civil Unions Bill.

Independent: A letter to my son - To be read on 12 February 2020

http://www.independent.com.mt/mobile/2014-03-02/opinions/a-letter-to-my-son-4110548994/
Sunday, 02 March 2014, 09:00 , by Alison Bezzina



Dear Son,

Please put down your 5D video game and any other electronic device you might be attached to at this moment and read this. It will only take a few minutes, I promise.

It’s your birthday today and I can’t believe how time is flying by and how fast you’re growing up. No matter how old you are or how quickly you grow out of your shoes, you’ll always be my angel and I’ll always love you more than words can say.

Every birthday you ask me to tell you the story of how I met your mother, and every year I tell you that I met her at a party where we both got a little drunk, that it was love at first sight and that we then lived happily ever after.

iNews Malta: Il-koppji lesbiċi kapaċi jrabbu aħjar minn koppji eterosesswali”

http://www.inewsmalta.com/dart/20140218-il-koppji-lesbi-kapa-jrabbu-jar-minn-koppji-eterosesswali
19:45 | 18.02.2014

Il-Professur Angela Abela, li tmexxi d-dipartiment dwar l-istudji tal-familja fl-Università ta' Malta, qalet li skont riċerka internazzjonali l-koppji lesbiċi kapaċi jrabbu aħjar minn koppji eterosesswali. Dan waqt li kienet qed titkellem quddiem il-Kumitat għall-Konsiderazzjoni ta' Abbozzi ta' Liġijiet.

Illum il-Kumitat għall-Konsiderazzjoni ta' Abbozzi ta' Liġijiet kien qiegħed għal darba oħra jiddiskuti l-liġi tal-unjoni ċivili. Il-Professur Abela kienet mitluba titkellem dwar l-interess tat-tfal vis a vis l-adozzjoni minn koppji eterosesswali.

Independent: University’s Social WellbeingInstitute not consultedon gay adoptions

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-02-19/news/universitys-social-wellbeinginstitute-not-consulted-on-gay-adoptions-4002381824/
Wednesday, 19 February 2014, 14:54

It was yesterday confirmed that the Department of Family Studies within the Faculty of Wellbeing at the University of Malta was not asked for its opinion on adoptions by gay couples during the drafting of the Civil Unions Bill.

Speaking during the Bill Considerations Committee meeting Head of Department Professor Angela Abela confirmed that the department had not been approached by the government and was not asked to be part of the consultative committee that drew up the Bill.

Times: Love and sex in parenting

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140218/opinion/Love-and-sex-in-parenting.507285
Tuesday, February 18, 2014, 00:01 by Michael Conti

One argument that often crops up when discussing same-sex parenting is whether there are any differences between children brought up by a different-sex couple and children raised by a same-sex couple. This area is still understudied, but a number of issues warrant some clarification.

Firstly, some argue that children of same-sex parents have a higher chance to identify as non-heterosexual than children of heterosexual parents. The preoccupation with the sexual development of children of gay and lesbian parents implies a negative perspective of a non-heterosexual orientation, suggesting a pathological approach to homosexuality. However, one must bear in mind that research on sexual orientation has been going on for over 60 years. Apart from removing homosexuality from a mental disorder in 1973, this research has shown that negative outcomes on individuals are related to social stigmatisation and not to sexual orientation.

Malta Today: Family expert to give her views on gay adoption before parliamentary committee

Opposition wants to hear the view of family expert Angela Abela before agreeing with clauses allowing same-sex couples the possibility to adopt.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Family-expert-to-give-her-views-on-gay-adoption-before-parliamentary-committee-20140204
Tuesday 4 February 2014 - 22:47 by Miriam Dalli



Professor Angela Abela, the Head of the Department of Family Studies, will be asked to give her views to a parliamentary committee on amendments to the law allowing same-sex couples the possibility to adopt.

The call was made by the Nationalist Opposition who insisted that the view of the family expert should be heeded before "rushing to take" any decisions.

Yesterday, the Opposition requested a ruling after insisting that a meeting of the parliamentary select committee on family affairs was cancelled only 24 hours before it was to be held. Abela was to appear before the committee discussing the Civil Unions Bill.

Malta Today: Gay adoptions | 89 ‘concerned’ citizens tell MPs ‘love alone is not enough’

Describing themselves as ‘friends-mothers who work in the educational and social field’, 89 write to members of parliament voicing their concern over the civil unions bill.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Gay-adoptions-89-concerned-citizens-tell-MPs-love-alone-is-not-enough-20140203
Monday 3 February 2014 - 19:01 by a Staff Reporter

Eighty-nine Maltese who described themselves as "mothers and friends working in the educational and social field" have written to the members of parliament urging them "not to rush" to legislate on allowing same-sex couples to adopt before "reflecting on what the children's needs are".

Independent: Paediatric Association urges caution on gay adoption

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-02-01/news/paediatric-association-urges-caution-on-gay-adoption-3841654784/
Saturday, 01 February 2014, 10:09



The Malta Paediatric Association today urged the government to proceed with caution when it comes to introduction gay adoption, particularly due to the “lack of scientific research in the local context.”

“The adoption of children is an emotional issue which invariably generates many thoughts and feelings in us all. Our role is not intended to either endorse or condemn sexual orientation. The guiding principle and main concern of the Association is the welfare of the child.

Malta Today: Paediatricians issue guarded statement over gay adoption

Doctors say married parents offer stability and unique influence to children, and urge caution on gay adoptions

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Paedetricians-issue-guarded-statement-over-gay-adoption-20140201
Saturday 1 February 2014 - 08:32 by Matthew Vella


Paediatricians said children thrive in both traditional and non-traditional families, but have shown preference for married couples.

The Maltese Paediatric Association has called on MPs to give "due weight" to the "stability and the unique influence that a married couple can give to the child" in a statement on the adoption of children by gay couples.

The doctors were unequivocal in their statement that married parents created the "best environment" for children but did not discount gay adoptions outright. "Nonetheless children can thrive well in a variety of family types including single and same-gender parents. The Association is committed to equally support children in traditional and non-traditional families."

Times: Adoption by gays

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140126/letters/Adoption-by-gays.504113#.UubDjdI1hhc
Sunday, January 26, 2014, 00:01 by Laurence Mizzi, Paola

I would like to congratulate Bishop Charles Scicluna for his stand on civil unions and, in particular, on adoptions by homosexuals.

His clear and unequivocal statements are a breath of fresh air. By stating what is morally unacceptable according to the teaching of the Church, even at the risk of being accused of trying to impose his beliefs on believers and non-believers alike, Scicluna is only doing what is expected of spiritual leaders.

Times: Ethiopian stand on gay adoption

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140122/letters/Ethiopian-stand-on-gay-adoption.503586#.UuF0MdI1hhc
Wednesday, January 22, 2014, 00:01 by Allan Gatt, Birkirkara

In a recent article in Times of Malta about gay couples adopting children, I discovered anew how pharisaical people’s ignorance and hypocrisy can be. One sentence reads: “Countries like Ethiopia had been closing doors on adoptions for Maltese because of fears that prospective single parents could be gay.”

Ethiopians, renowned for their inability to govern themselves and for living in the second poorest country in the world despite being one of the richest in mineral resources like gold, potash, copper, platinum and natural gas, are closing doors on adoptions by Maltese parents because these might be homosexual.

Independent: Adoption and gay couples

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-01-19/opinions/adoption-and-gay-couples-3720151041/
Sunday, 19 January 2014, 09:28 , by Deborah Schembri



I have always been fascinated by the depth of wisdom of certain people and the way they impart it in words to be treasured for posterity. So, in honour of one such man who has left the world a better place than he found it, I repeat his very own words in awe and sweet remembrance: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.” (Nelson Mandela)

I recalled this quote as I was listening to discussions regarding the current debate on civil unions and adoptions by couples forming such unions. What brought it to mind was the fact that lately I could feel a certain apprehension every time the topic on adoption came up in a discussion. It is an apprehension that I understand because, although I think that it is nothing except the proverbial ‘fear of the unknown’, on the one hand there is a general lack of information; and on the other an unfortunate abundance of misinformation. To add to this confusion, the Church has decided to throw in a survey to try and suffocate the logical and civil argument with nonsensical statistics. This it has done alongside an attempt to exert pressure on Members of Parliament to vote against this legislation because if they voted in favour of it they would be committing a “grave immoral act”.

Malta Today: Equality commission says same-sex families, gay adoption is human right

‘Everyone has the right to found a family, including access to apply for adoption or assisted procreation, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.’

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Equality-commission-says-same-sex-families-gay-adoption-is-human-right-20131231
Tuesday 31 December 2013 - 15:18


Equality commission NCPE has given full backing to civil union laws

The equality commission has called statements "against the recognition of same-sex families" may lead to unequal treatment of persons based on their perceived sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) issued its statement following reports of claims by Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna, who has been a vocal critic of the government's plans to introduce civil unions and gay adoption.

Times: Adoption of children by same-sex couples

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131215/letters/Adoption-of-children-by-same-sex-couples.499000#.Ur1QE9JDuSo
Sunday, December 15, 2013, 00:01 by Christine Rossi, Mariella Catania, Elaine Mizzi, Suzanne Vella, Christian Vella, John Busuttil, Henriette Busuttil, Isabella Borg, John Caruana, Joanne Dimech, Gordon Fitz, Martha Fitz, Stefan Galea, Agatha Galea, Nadia Koppens Apap, Audrey Mercieca, Franco Mercieca, Roberta Micallef, Chris Micallef, Marica Naudi, Josette Polidano, David Polidano, Birkirkara

We are concerned about the way in which the adoption of children by homosexual couples is being quickly legislated through the Civil Unions Bill. We have no doubt that homosexuals have the potential to love children just as much as heterosexuals and can provide the basic needs, affection, discipline, and education.

However, the adoption of children is a delicate issue and can affect the lives of so many voiceless children that it cannot be rushed through. It merits a deeper discussion, even through a separate parliamentary standing committee.