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

Advocate: A Tiny Nation Learns the Rewards of LGBT Progress

https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2017/6/19/tiny-nation-learns-rewards-lgbt-progress

19th June 2017



Malta, population 420,000, shows what political will and a commitment to separation of church and state can accomplish.

BY BORIS DITTRICH

Malta used to be known as a very conservative country, where social opinion, reflected in politics and policies, was heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church. Divorce was outlawed, abortion was — and remains — criminalized in all cases, and the law failed to address key human rights concerns affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

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.

Attitude: MALTA IS EUROPE’S HOTTEST DESTINATION FOR LGBT TRAVELLERS

As well as the beautiful, picturesque beaches you’d expect from a Mediterranean haven, the capital city of Valletta has just joined the global heavyweights as the European Capital of Culture for 2018.

http://attitude.co.uk/malta-is-europes-hottest-destination-for-lgbt-travellers/

ATTITUDE MAGAZINE — MAY 31, 2017

Scenic View of Marsamxett Harbour and Valletta in Malta

Malta was once one of Europe’s best kept secrets, but is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean. An archipelago consisting of Malta, Gozo and Comino, the Maltese Islands are only three hours from the UK and offer a destination with enough history, culture, nightlife and year-round sunshine to keep every traveller happy – not least gay holidaymakers.

Lovin Malta: Maltese Gay Catholic Group Has The Best Response For Haters Of Rainbow-Flag Altar Vigil

Some people worry about the prosecution of gays in Chechnya, others worry about altar etiquette
https://lovinmalta.com/news/this-maltese-gay-catholic-group-had-the-best-response-to-haters

Lovin Malta June 2017 

Malta already plays a pretty cool international role when it comes to LGBT rights, but a group of Maltese gay Catholics has just raised the bar and is now literally flying the flag and firing up a storm.

The gay Catholic group, Drachma, which campaigns for better understanding between the Church and LGBTs, held a vigil on May 17th to mark the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) as it does every year.

Times: Rainbow flag decorated altar fuels controversy

Event marked International Day Against Homophobia

https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170607/local/rainbow-flag-decorated-altar-fuels-controversy.650117
Wednesday, June 7, 2017, 07:01 by Keith Micallef



The rainbow flag altar during a prayer vigil organised by Drachma at the university chapel.

The altar decorated with a rainbow flag at a prayer vigil at the University of Malta chapel has stirred up a hornet’s nest, but the Catholic LGBT group of behind it is insisting that their only intention was to convey a message against discrimination.

Organised by Drachma on May 17, the religious event was meant to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

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.

Times: MGRM reports 15 cases of online hate speech in six weeks

Online platform removed one of every three cases reported

https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170602/local/mgrm-reports-15-cases-of-online-hate-speech-in-six-weeks.649676
Friday, June 2, 2017, 20:17 by Ivan Camilleri



An EU-wide monitoring exercise on online hate-speech led to the reporting of 15 cases in Malta in just six weeks, a report issued by the European Commission shows.

In one of every three cases, reported by the Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement (MGRM) – acting as the Maltese counterpart in the study – the online platform agreed that the reported post was illegal and removed it from its site.

Lovin Malta: LGBT+ Activists Fight HIV 'Morning-After' Drug's Steep Price Tag

Parties pledge to tackle PEP unaffordability

https://lovinmalta.com/news/lgbt-activists-fight-hiv-morning-after-drugs-steep-price-tag
Ann Dingli 27.5.2017

Emergency preventative medication for HIV is currently available in Malta... but costs €600. Party leaders recently pledged to work towards the removal of its unaffordable price tag, and have each signed an agreement to introduce free-of-charge PEP in Malta if their party is elected.

Post Exposure Prophylaxis, known as PEP is a drug that can be taken after a person is potentially exposed HIV to prevent them from becoming infected. A recent LGBTIQ debate with Malta's main political party representatives discussed the issue of its high price, and the parties' commitment towards bettering Malta's HIV medical treatment in general.

A report compiled by the Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC) describes the current HIV situation in Malta as "critical", claiming that as things stand, 671 new HIV cases could develop by 2021.

If the political parties deliver on their agreement to offer PEP medication for free, then people at risk would be less impeded to act swiftly after the threat of exposure. PEP medication should be used strictly in emergency situations and needs to be started within 72 hours after exposure.

Russell Sammut from ARC questioned party representatives at the LGBTIQ debate on their commitment to removing the high price tag on PEP, as well as on the investment in other HIV healthcare and treatment. Sammut urged leaders to follow through on this pledge to facilitate readily available prevention medication that could save the country a bunch of money spent on treatment for actual HIV care once it is contracted.

Nationalist Party (PN) leader Simon Busuttil said that if PN are elected it would be their aim to upgrade HIV treatment in Malta. Busuttil stressed his belief that all HIV medication should be free for everyone. Minister for Civil Liberties Helena Dalli added that the medication in question is actually mentioned in the Labour Party (PL) electoral manifesto, and that one of their focuses will be to make sure that the adequate medicines remain in stock on the island.

A snapshot of HIV in Malta*
In 2015 there were 61 known cases of HIV in Malta
HIV cases have increased by 20% per year since 2009
57% of that yearly increase is found within the 'Men having Sex with Men' (MSM) group
In 2014 the rate of new HIV cases in Malta was 11% higher than the UK
With the current medical treatment available Malta will have >2000 HIV cases by 2021
That will mean €271m spent on lifetime treatment from new infections

*All data has been provided by ARC Malta.

Click to read the full signed agreement covering Equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people in the 2017 – 2022 legislative period.

Do you think PEP should be made freely available in Malta? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section on Facebook.

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

​

News Book: Il-Knisja m’għandhiex x’taqsam ma’ reklam tal-MCUF

http://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2017/5/23/il-knisja-m%27ghandhiex-x%27taqsam-ma%27-reklam-tal-mcuf.60679/
Charmaine Attard - 23/05/17 10:16 AM

L-Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta qalet ma’ Newsbook.com.mt li m’għandhiex x’taqsam ma’ kull tip ta’ propoganda li ssir taħt l-isem Maltese Catholics United for the Faith (MCUF).

Newsbook.com.mt ikkuntattja lill-Uffiċċju tal-Komunikazzjoni tal-Kurja biex jara jekk l-Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta, għandhiex x’taqsam ma’ reklam ta’ paġna sħiħa li deher f’xi gazzetti Maltin f’dawn il-ġranet.

Ir-reklam taħt il-firma tal-grupp Maltese Catholics United for the Faith isejjaħ il-pożizzjoni tal-partiti politiċi dwar iż-żwieġ bejn persuni tal-istess sess bħala ‘glorifikazzjoni tad-dnub.’

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.

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.

MGRM & Gay Malta: Position Paper on HIV Prevention and Treatment Guidelines

Published by the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) and Gay Malta

April 2017

The information guidelines below have been formulated to provide information to Malta based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) sexually active individuals who wish to have access to adequate prevention or treatment for HIV.

In view of the paucity of actions so far, and the slow development of an adequate sexual health policy, the unfortunate and inevitable result is of an increase in sexual health related diseases, including HIV, which disproportionately impinge upon our community with those most at risk being men who have sex with men and trans sex workers. This important issue requires several fronts of action and these guidelines relate both to the access of effective prevention from HIV infection and also to better treatment for those individuals who are HIV positive.

Independent: HIV self-test kits now available in local pharmacies

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2017-03-18/local-news/HIV-self-test-kits-now-available-in-local-pharmacies-6736171714#.WM1giZ9U61U.facebook

Helena GrechSaturday, 18 March 2017, 17:00

Self-testing HIV kits are now available in local pharmacies, Allied Rainbow Communities has announced.

The Malta Independent on Sunday had initially reported that the government, under Health Minister Chris Fearne, was in the procurement process of bringing HIV rapid testing kits to the GU clinic in Mater Dei Hospital, for free. The Ministry had also revealed when speaking to this newsroom that self-test HIV home kits will also be available in pharmacies, which has now been made a reality.

The self-test kits allow a person to be able to test for the disease at the comfort of their own home, without any prying eyes. It is a straightforward process that requires a small drop of blood, takes 15 minutes to get the results, and is 99.8 per cent accurate. The kit is known as the ‘Autotest VIH’.

HIV is a potentially life-threatening condition that works by damaging a person’s immune system, as it interferes with the body’s ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. It is primarily a sexually transmitted disease however drug users who share needles are also at risk. The body’s ability to fight disease is possible through what are known as ‘antibodies’, explaining why a blood test over a saliva swam is generally preferable.

It must be said that HIV has an incubation period, meaning that some time must pass between contracting HIV, and getting a positive read on a test.

The kits have been approved both by Malta and the EU.

In the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, EU member states resolved to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. To achieve this it has set up a set of goals to be met by 2020:

“By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status.

“By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy.

“By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.”

Times: 63 change gender on their birth certificate

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20161121/local/63-change-gender-on-their-birth-certificate.631734

Monday, November 21, 2016, 19:34



Sixty-one persons have changed their gender on their birth certificate since March 2013, Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli told parliament today.

She was answering a question by Labour MP Godfrey Farrugia.

Times: Gay men should be allowed to donate blood - Labour youths

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160917/local/gay-men-should-be-allowed-to-donate-blood-labour-youths.625301

Saturday, September 17, 2016, 16:43



The FZL addressing the news conference.

A lifetime ban on gay men from donating blood should be lifted and replaced by a 12-month deferral, the Labour Party youth forum has proposed.

Donating one’s blood is an act of generosity and of civic responsibility that should not be conditioned by sexual orientation, the Forum Żgħażagh Laburisti (FŻL) told a news conference while launching its campaign ‘We All Have the Same Blood’.