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".
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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

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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’.

Times: Update 2 - PM, PN react as Archbishop clarifies position on gay conversion therapy

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160222/local/archbishop-clarifies-position-on-gay-conversion-therapy-amid-storm-of.603327
Monday, February 22, 2016, 06:39



Updated with Prime Minister's/ PN comments - Archbishop Charles Scicluna has moved to quell a growing controversy over a church committee's report on gay conversion therapy, saying that such therapy was a “no go” when it went against people's wishes, but also urging critics of the report to read it properly.

Independent: Nationalist Party still to review loopholes in gender identity legislation

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-11-04/local-news/Nationalist-Party-still-to-review-loopholes-in-gender-identity-legislation-6736124929#
Kevin Schembri Orland, Tuesday, 4 November 2014, 14:00

The opposition will be discussing the Gender Identity Bill within the Parliamentary group, PN MP Claudette Buttigieg said yesterday.

Ms Buttigieg is currently reviewing the Gender Identity Bill and her advisors are reading through the document.

Times: President-designate would have no problem signing Civil Unions Bill

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140305/local/marie-louise.509335
Wednesday, March 5, 2014, 11:37 by Matthew Xuereb


Video: Mark Zammit Cordina [Click on the hyperlink above to watch the video.]

President-designate Marie-Louise Colerio Preca will have “no problem” signing the Civil Unions Bill which, among others, will be giving same-sex couples the right to adopt children.

Speaking to timesofmalta.com this morning, Ms Coleiro Preca labelled as “pure speculation” the fact that she would be reluctant to sign the Bill once it came to her as President.

“I was part of the Cabinet that approved that Bill and I know that it was an electoral commitment made by this government prior to the election so I will have no problem signing the Bill,” she said.

She went on to explain that the so-called gay adoptions issue was nothing new as gay people could adopt at present. Moreover, it would be the professionals who would be deciding what was in the children’s best interest.

Malta Today: Muscat urges opposition to change tack on gay adoption

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat insists the ‘Malta Taghna Lkoll’ mantra is alive and results are tangible.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Muscat-urges-opposition-to-change-tack-on-gay-adoptions-20140112
Sunday 12 January 2014 - 12:01 by Jurgen Balzan



Calling on the Nationalist opposition to return to the stand taken by its previous leader Lawrence Gonzi who put children's rights above sexual orientation, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the issue should not be politicised.

"Lets not politicise this issue, I certainly disagreed on many thing with former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi but we both agreed on protecting children and ensuring that experts decide who should adopt," Muscat told Labour supporters gathered in the party's Hamrun club.

Malta Today: MGRM rubbishes Busutill claims of pre-electoral agreement with Labour

Lack of equal recognition the key factor for gay community, says gay rights movement.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/MGRM-rubbish-Busutill-claims-of-pre-electoral-agreement-with-Labour-20131219
Thursday 19 December 2013 - 13:26 by Tim Attard Montalto


Simon Busuttil

The Malta Gay Rights Movement has 'categorically' denied Simon Busutill's claim on Reporter that a pre-electoral arrangement took place between the organisation and the Labour Party.

On the programme, Busuttil suggested that the reason why he may not enjoy the full support of the gay lobby might be due to a pre-electoral agreement made with the Labour Party.

Malta Today: Government denies reaching pre-electoral agreements with gay lobby

Prime Minister’s spokesperson says Simon Busuttil ‘tried to lure gay lobby in pre-electoral meetings’.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Government-denies-reaching-pre-electoral-agreements-with-gay-lobby-20131218
Wednesday 18 December 2013 - 14:48 by a Staff Reporter


Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was this year awarded the Soldier's Award for supporting the gay community.

The Labour government's position on civil unions and gay adoptions was guided by principles, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has said, adding that the PL's position on various issues had also been clearly listed in the party's electoral manifesto.

Malta Today: ‘Busuttil is hostage to extremist factions within PN’ – Muscat

Prime Minister says Opposition leader has taken a ‘bigoted position’ on adoptions by gay couples.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Busuttil-is-hostage-to-extremist-factions-within-PN-Muscat-20131215
Sunday 15 December 2013 - 11:27 by Jurgen Balzan



The leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil's hard-line stance on adoptions by same-sex couples showed that he is being held hostage by an extremist faction within the PN, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said.
Last week, Busuttil called on the government to refer the matter of gay adoptions to Parliament's family affairs committee to seek a social impact assessment before the matter is taken further.

Describing this stand as "bigoted" and "hypocritical," Muscat said that nobody has a right to adopt, insisting the right belongs to the children.

Times: No compromises when it comes to basic principles - PM

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131211/local/no-compromises-when-it-comes-to-basic-principles-pm.498569#.UrwzX9KAQ8k
Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 21:08



The Opposition’s call for a social impact assessment on adoptions by gay couples did not make sense and the government’s proposal was superior in that every case would be considered on its own merits by social workers, psychologists and other experts, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this evening.

Speaking in Parliament, he accused the Opposition doing a U-turn pointed out that two months before the election he had publicly told Times of Maltahe was in favour of gay adoptions.

Malta Today: ‘PN’s conservative gay adoption stand pushing it a step back’ – Muscat

Prime Minister insists that child’s interests should be the foremost importance and that sexual orientation should not play a role in adoption rights.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/PN-s-gay-adoption-stand-pushing-it-a-step-back-Muscat-20131208
Sunday 8 December 2013 - 13:01 by a Staff Reporter


Joseph Muscat underlines that there is no right to adopt but a right to apply for adoption

Following PN's proposal for the government to conduct an national impact examination test prior to introducing the right for gay couples to adopt, the office of the Prime Minister has accused the Opposition of being a step back with its "conservative approach."

"Simon Busuttil should be reminded that under Maltese law, a gay person can already apply for adoption as sexual orientation does not play a part, testament to which is the number of adoptions by gay persons."

Times: Embracing the minorities

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131121/opinion/Embracing-the-minorities.495611#.UrmotdJDuSo
Thursday, November 21, 2013, 00:01 by Mario Farrugia-Borg

Since my candidature for MEP elections on a Labour Party ticket was announced in the media some days ago, many have asked me what, in my opinion, is a legitimate question: given that the Labour government will be introducing civil unions between persons of the same sex, what is your position regarding this issue? I have therefore decided to make my position official and clear.

First and foremost, I believe in a secular state wherein politicians, although having morals and values which may be guided by their religious beliefs, should not impose those morals and values on others especially on those who do not subscribe to the same religious beliefs.

Independent: Former Labour PMs differ in opinion on 'Gay Marriage'

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-10-24/news/former-labour-pms-differ-in-opinion-on-gay-marriage-2978709504/
Thursday, 24 October 2013, 10:30



Former Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici said that he is against gay couples adopting. He said that he disagreed with parliament legislating and therefore sanctioning civil unions.

“In my opinion, a man has a fundamental right to marry a woman and vice-versa, but no man has a fundamental right to marry a man and no woman has a fundamental right to marry a woman.”

Independent: PN, PL cosying up to gays - Adrian Vassallo

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-10-24/news/pn-pl-cosying-up-to-gays-adrian-vassallo-2978578433/
Thursday, 24 October 2013, 12:00



“Children are not a consumer item,” Adrian Vassallo told this newspaper, when asked about same sex adoptions.

“I have always been loyal towards Labour’s electoral programme, and since I didn’t agree with this proposal which formed part of Labour’s electoral programme, I decided to call it a day and refrain from contesting the March general election.”

Dr Vassallo said: “What was considered as ‘normal’ in the past has become strange and what was deemed as something ‘bad’ has suddenly become the ‘right’ thing to do and this is why we conservative people have been dubbed as dinosaurs, simply because we simply stand by what was considered to be the norm and the right thing for donkeys’ years.”

Independent: Is society ready for adoption by same-sex couples? - PL PN

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-10-24/news/is-society-ready-for-adoption-by-same-sex-couples-pl-mp-2978578432/
Thursday, 24 October 2013, 09:30 , by Duncan Barry



Government MP Luciano Busuttil has asked whether Maltese society is ready for the reality of same sex couple adoptions, but said that someone has to be bold enough to make that first move.

Replying to questions put by this newspaper, Dr Busuttil said that legislation (referring to the bill) must go through, but he asked whether the Maltese were ready to accept the concept.

“But someone must be bold enough to make that first move,” he said. Being the chairman of the Consideration of Bills Committee, Dr Busuttil said he is not against gay couples adopting children, “but we need to look at holistic reform” on the subject.

Independent: Parliament debates 'Gay Marriage' Bill

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-10-22/news/parliament-debates-civil-unions-bill-2964455428/
Tuesday, 22 October 2013, 18:57 , by Neil Camilleri
UPDATE 4



Parliament tonight started debating the Civil Unions Bill presented by the government.

The bill, once approved by Parliament, will allow gay couples to enjoy civil rights similar to those of heterosexual couples, including the adoption of children.

The government published the bill last week and the Nationalist Party on Monday issued a statement saying it will be voting in favour and will also propose amendments.
Bill is not about gay rights, but human rights

Malta Today: Minister Dalli looks forward to ‘lengthy debate’ on civil unions

Parliament starts discussing Civil Liberties Act.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Minister-Dalli-looks-forward-to-lengthy-debate-on-civil-unions-20131022
Tuesday 22 October 2013 - 18:52 by Miriam Dalli


Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli

Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli looked forward to a lengthy debate on civil unions, both in parliament and outside.

Addressing Parliament during the second reading of the Civil Liberties Act, Dalli said she felt "extremely happy and proud" to be able to discuss the Bill.

Times: Muscat: 'PN's commitment on civil unions questionable'

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131022/local/muscat-pns-commitment-on-civil-unions-questionable.491508#.UmgAZ3CkHD4
Tuesday, October 22, 2013, 20:40

Amendments to the civil union bill which will be moved by the Opposition could only be interpreted as an attempt to limit the rights of same-sex couples, Prime Minister Joseph said this evneing.

Addressing the annual general conference of the Labour Youth Forum at the party headquarters, Dr Muscat questioned whether the PN is genuinely committed in favour of civil unions.

Malta Today: Interview: Much harder to change a culture than a law | Helena Dalli

As the minister responsible for social equality, civil liberties and consumer affairs, Helena Dalli finds herself tasked with changing both laws and national perceptions. No prizes for guessing which part of her job is the easier

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/interview/Much-harder-to-change-a-culture-than-a-law-20130729
29 July 2013 - 09:32 by Raphael Vassallo


Equality minister Helena Dalli

Almost five months after an election, it is perhaps a little late to be talking about a 'honeymoon period' for the new government.

But when it comes to portfolios which simply didn't exist in previous administrations - such as civil liberties, which makes up the bulk of Helena Dalli's ministry, alongside social equality and industrial relations - it is perhaps only fair to allow a little more time for the incoming minister to find her feet.

Yet paradoxically, the same previously non-existent ministry has been among the Labour Cabinet's most active to date. It was first off the block to introduce long-overdue reforms, such as a legal amendment to allow transsexuals the full legal rights associated with their acquired gender. It has also drawn up a bill to regulate civil partnerships for same sex couples to be presented after the summer recess; and in keeping with the same overall theme, the Social Equality Ministry will shortly be presenting a gender identity bill.

Malta Today: LGBT consultative council condemns threats against human rights

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/LGBT-consultative-council-condemns-threats-against-human-rights-20130712
Consultative council on gay rights says human rights are universal, voices opposition to threats against migrants.
Friday 12 July 2013 - 09:37 by Miriam Dalli


LGBT council chairman Cyrus Engerer

The consultative council set up by the government to tackle LGBT rights has condemned threats to fundamental human rights, including those enjoyed by migrants.

The council was reacting to a pushback attempt carried out by the government on Tuesday this week.

In a statement, the council said such threats undermine the role being carried out by the consultative council, even though the council specifically tackles LGBT rights.