21.10.2013 by Dr Ing. Patrick Attard
A concise version of this article was published on the Times of Malta on the 26th October 2013:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131026/letters/Courageous-elegant-Bill.491963#.Umt14nA6KSo
I would like to thank the Minister for Civil Liberties and the LGBT Consultative Council for presenting such a courageous and elegant BIll. This Bill is truly historic since it even recognises marriages contracted abroad as such.
This is an enormous step forward for the Maltese LGBT Community and will not only affect the gay and lesbian couples who would like to formalise their relationship but it will have implications on others and restore the dignity of gay and lesbian individuals whose relationships will no longer be considered as dirty and illegitimate.
Showing posts with label Patrick Attard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patrick Attard. Show all posts
Saturday, 26 October 2013
Monday, 22 October 2012
iNews Malta: Eleganti quddiem il-Parlament biex juru li huma familja
http://www.inewsmalta.com/dart/20121021-eleganti-quddiem-il-parlament-biex-juru-li-huma-familja
08:04 | 22.10.2012
Illejla l-komunità gay hija mħeġġa li tinġabar quddiem il-Parlament bil-għan li twassal il-messaġġ li relazzjoni bejn koppja tal-istess sess hija familja. Dan qiegħed isir fid-dawl li issa quddiem il-Parlament hemm il-liġi tal-unjoni ċivili u l-koabitazzjoni. Iżda, fuq kollox l-organizzaturi qegħdin isostnu li din m’hijiex protesta.
"Din m'hix protesta. Dan hu mument storiku għalina. Din hi l-ewwel darba li d-dinjità tar-relazzjonijiet tagħna se jkunu diskussi fil-Parlament. Ir-relazzjonijiet tagħna huma ta' rispett u ta' dinjità ukol," qiegħed jingħad.
08:04 | 22.10.2012
Illejla l-komunità gay hija mħeġġa li tinġabar quddiem il-Parlament bil-għan li twassal il-messaġġ li relazzjoni bejn koppja tal-istess sess hija familja. Dan qiegħed isir fid-dawl li issa quddiem il-Parlament hemm il-liġi tal-unjoni ċivili u l-koabitazzjoni. Iżda, fuq kollox l-organizzaturi qegħdin isostnu li din m’hijiex protesta.
"Din m'hix protesta. Dan hu mument storiku għalina. Din hi l-ewwel darba li d-dinjità tar-relazzjonijiet tagħna se jkunu diskussi fil-Parlament. Ir-relazzjonijiet tagħna huma ta' rispett u ta' dinjità ukol," qiegħed jingħad.
L-Orizzont: Il-‘gays’ imħeġġin biex illejla jkunu quddiem il-Parlament
http://www.orizzont.com.mt/FullArticle.php?ID1='Ahbarijiet'&ID2=97231
22.10.12
“Din mhix protesta. Dan hu mument storiku għalina. Din hi l-ewwel darba li d-dinjità tar-relazzjonijiet tagħ na se jkunu diskussi fil-Parlament. Ir-relazzjonijiet tagħna huma ta’ rispett u ta’ dinjità wkoll”.
Dan hu l-messaġġ li beda jitmexxa fost persuni ‘gays’, hekk kif l-abbozz ta’ liġi dwar il-koabitazzjoni qiegħed fis-sitt post fl-aġenda tal-Parlament.
22.10.12
“Din mhix protesta. Dan hu mument storiku għalina. Din hi l-ewwel darba li d-dinjità tar-relazzjonijiet tagħ na se jkunu diskussi fil-Parlament. Ir-relazzjonijiet tagħna huma ta’ rispett u ta’ dinjità wkoll”.
Dan hu l-messaġġ li beda jitmexxa fost persuni ‘gays’, hekk kif l-abbozz ta’ liġi dwar il-koabitazzjoni qiegħed fis-sitt post fl-aġenda tal-Parlament.
Friday, 19 October 2012
YouTube: Xarabank: Vjaġġ fl-Istorja tal-Komunità Gay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLwECSeCUcM
Għalfejn għadna bżonn Liġi ġusta? Ejjew immorru vjaġġ fl-istorja.
Xarabank 12.10.2012 Il-Liġi tal-Koabitazzjoni
Grazzi lit-Team ta' Xarabank li tawni l-faċilità biex nagħmel din il-video clip.
Grazzi lil Peppi, Olwyn, Cleaven, Russell u l-crew kollu.
http://www.xarabank.com/
Dr Ing. Patrick Attard
http://patrickattard.blogspot.com
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Tags: Gay Gays Lesbian Lesbians LGBT Malta Cohabitation "Civil Partnership" "Gay Marriage" "Marriage Equality" Koabitazzjoni Pride HIV AIDS Holocaust "Pink Triangle" Stonewall Suicide Homophobia "Concentration Camps" "Paragraph 175" Enigma "Alan Turing" "Pink Pest"
Watch the film clip in a better quality here:
YouTube: Xarabank - L'Omosesswalità - Dr. Patrick Attard
Għalfejn għadna bżonn Liġi ġusta? Ejjew immorru vjaġġ fl-istorja.
Xarabank 12.10.2012 Il-Liġi tal-Koabitazzjoni
Grazzi lit-Team ta' Xarabank li tawni l-faċilità biex nagħmel din il-video clip.
Grazzi lil Peppi, Olwyn, Cleaven, Russell u l-crew kollu.
http://www.xarabank.com/
Dr Ing. Patrick Attard
http://patrickattard.blogspot.com
---
Tags: Gay Gays Lesbian Lesbians LGBT Malta Cohabitation "Civil Partnership" "Gay Marriage" "Marriage Equality" Koabitazzjoni Pride HIV AIDS Holocaust "Pink Triangle" Stonewall Suicide Homophobia "Concentration Camps" "Paragraph 175" Enigma "Alan Turing" "Pink Pest"
Watch the film clip in a better quality here:
YouTube: Xarabank - L'Omosesswalità - Dr. Patrick Attard
Monday, 22 August 2011
Times: Group considering legal action against Curia
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110819/local/group-considering-legal-action-against-curia.380907
Friday, August 19, 2011, 14:48
The Curia in Floriana.
The group Not in Our Name, founded in June to help people formally renounce their Catholic faith, is considering legal action against the Curia for impeding people wanting to formally terminate their association with the church.
It said in a statement that to formally leave the church, one had to be individually interviewed by the chancellor of the Curia.
Out of the 41 people who contacted the group to leave the church, 23 said they preferred to be in the company of others in the same situation on the date of the interview.
The group asked the chancellor to set up appointments during which it would be possible for him to see three people – one at a time but on the same day.
This had been done on January 10, 2009 when Dr Patrick Attard and another two people had gone through the same procedure.
Such an arrangement was not acceptable to the chancellor "Not In Our Name considers the Curia's behaviour unhelpful, insensitive and obstructive.
"The organisation also believes that it has exhausted all approaches which would enable it to fulfil its commitment towards people who are interested in defection, and at the same time need support in formally renouncing their faith," it said.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Friday, August 19, 2011, 14:48
The Curia in Floriana.
The group Not in Our Name, founded in June to help people formally renounce their Catholic faith, is considering legal action against the Curia for impeding people wanting to formally terminate their association with the church.
It said in a statement that to formally leave the church, one had to be individually interviewed by the chancellor of the Curia.
Out of the 41 people who contacted the group to leave the church, 23 said they preferred to be in the company of others in the same situation on the date of the interview.
The group asked the chancellor to set up appointments during which it would be possible for him to see three people – one at a time but on the same day.
This had been done on January 10, 2009 when Dr Patrick Attard and another two people had gone through the same procedure.
Such an arrangement was not acceptable to the chancellor "Not In Our Name considers the Curia's behaviour unhelpful, insensitive and obstructive.
"The organisation also believes that it has exhausted all approaches which would enable it to fulfil its commitment towards people who are interested in defection, and at the same time need support in formally renouncing their faith," it said.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
---
Faith ‘defectors’ considering legal action against Curia
A group of young people who wish to renounce their faith and be disassociated from the Catholic Church have accused the Curia of not cooperating with their wishes and are threatening legal action.
Not In Our Name was formed in June to help baptised Catholics who wanted to disassociate themselves from the Church officially. The group said they contacted the Church on July 6 to ask whether it was possible to set a date when all those interested could meet the Curia Chancellor for the baptismal register to be annotated in a way that showed that the people in the group were no longer members of the Church.
The group said the Chancellor refused to receive the people as a group, insisting he would only see them individually. Each person would also have to undergo an interview. The group said that, as a compromise, it suggested that three people be received in one day but on an individual basis because 23 out of 41 people in the group said they felt more comfortable in the company of others. The group said the Chancellor told them he knew of their cause and did not want to help in the propaganda against the Church. Attempts were made to set up meetings with the Chancellor but, according to the group, he proved to be evasive and, ultimately, refused to accept the proposition.
“Not In Our Name considers the Curia’s behaviour unhelpful, insensitive and obstructive. The organisation also believes that it has exhausted all approaches that would enable it to fulfil its commitment towards people who are interested in defection and, at the same time, need support in formally renouncing their faith.”
The group said it had sought legal advice and would be considering legal means to achieve its goal.
“We believe that it is the right of all our members as responsible adults not to be impeded in any way from terminating their association with the Catholic Church, and will henceforth not recognise the need for our members to undergo the Chancellor’s interview,” the group said.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Times: Gay 'conversion' therapy can cause great psychological harm and suicides
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110529/letters/Gay-conversion-therapy-can-cause-great-psychological-harm-and-suicides.367817
Sunday, May 29, 2011 , by Dr Patrick Attard, Naxxar
I find Mark-Anthony Falzon's column very interesting, but I strongly disagree with his May 15 contribution 'Thou shalt arise and be gay'.
He mentions Pastor Gordon John Manché and gay conversion therapies and claims that gay rights groups should not hinder his right to express himself freely.
Gay conversion or reparative therapies cause significant harm to the person's well-being and have been linked to a higher number of suicides and psychological problems in 'converted' people.
This wouldn't be significant unless we note that last year, more than a quarter of all the suicide victims in Malta were gay people.
It is frightening that a gay youth is five times more likely to commit suicide in Malta. Not to mention the number of people who do not reach that point but have significant emotional problems. I appeal to all parents whose teenager tells them s/he is gay not to take them to such conversion therapy gatherings, which, albeit well-intentioned, may cause irreparable harm.
Behind every suicide there is a wrecked family suffering in silence.
For more information on gay suicides in Malta and abroad, visit: http://patrickattard.blogspot.com/search/label/Suicide.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Sunday, May 29, 2011 , by Dr Patrick Attard, Naxxar
I find Mark-Anthony Falzon's column very interesting, but I strongly disagree with his May 15 contribution 'Thou shalt arise and be gay'.
He mentions Pastor Gordon John Manché and gay conversion therapies and claims that gay rights groups should not hinder his right to express himself freely.
Gay conversion or reparative therapies cause significant harm to the person's well-being and have been linked to a higher number of suicides and psychological problems in 'converted' people.
This wouldn't be significant unless we note that last year, more than a quarter of all the suicide victims in Malta were gay people.
It is frightening that a gay youth is five times more likely to commit suicide in Malta. Not to mention the number of people who do not reach that point but have significant emotional problems. I appeal to all parents whose teenager tells them s/he is gay not to take them to such conversion therapy gatherings, which, albeit well-intentioned, may cause irreparable harm.
Behind every suicide there is a wrecked family suffering in silence.
For more information on gay suicides in Malta and abroad, visit: http://patrickattard.blogspot.com/search/label/Suicide.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
It-Torċa: [2010] Sena ħelwa għall-gays madwar id-dinja... morra f'Malta
Iż-żwieġ gay jiddaħħal fl-Iżlanda, il-Portugall, l-Arġentina, il-bliet ta' Messiku u Kalifornja. Id-dritt ta' Partnership jiddaħħal fl-Irlanda.
6.2.2011 minn Dr Inġ. Patrick Attard
IS-SENA 2010 kienet importanti ħafna għall-Komunità Liżbjana, Gay, Bisesswali u Transesswali (LGBT) madwar id-dinja. Iż-żwieġ gay kien introdott fl-Iżlanda, il-Portugal, l-Arġentina, il-Belt ta' Messiku u Kalifornja. 'Partnership' bejn koppji tal-istess sess kien introdott fl-Irlanda.
Il-Portugall daħħal iż-żwieġ minkejja li l-Papa qal li dan hu theddida insidjuża u perikoluża għall-ġid komuni. Fl-Arġentina, il-Kardinal Bergoglio qal li ż-żwieġ bejn koppji gay hu x-xogħol tax-xitan u organizza protesti kbar b'aktar minn 80,000 ruħ fit-toroq tal-Kapitali Buenos Aires. Il-Knisja Kattolika ppruvat kull gambetta possibbli biex dan iż-żwieġ ma jidħolx u ngħaqdet saħansitra mal-Musulmani. Is-Sindku tal-Belt tal-Messiku għamel libell kontra l-isqof tal-Belt wara li qal li ż-żwieġ daħal wara li xxaħħmu l-Imħallfin biex tidħol il-liġi.
F'Kuba, Fidel Castro ħa responsabbiltà tal-persekuzzjoni ta' nies gay taħt ir-reġim tiegħu.
F'Malawi, koppja ta' rġiel gay ingħataw 14-il sena ħabs wara li għamlu ċelebrazzjoni simbolika ta' żwieġ. Huma nħelsu wara maħfra presidenzjali. Kien hemm pressjoni mill-Ġnus Magħquda li sejħu din is-sentenza bħala preċedent perikoluż.
Ħafna nies kienu msawta u arrestati wara li l-Pulizija waqqfet Gay Pride fil-Belarus.
Attivisti Gay ġo Moska kienu arrestati minn Pulizija Russa. Dawn l-attivisti kienu qed jipprotestaw fuq l-imġieba tas-Sindku li wera ħafna mibgħeda lejn l-omosesswali. Il-Qorti Ewropea tad-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem ordnat kumpens lil dawn l-attivisti.
Il-Parlament Ewropew irid li l-pajjiżi fl-Unjoni Ewropea jirrikonoxxu relazzjonijiet bejn persuni tal-istess sess. Wara dan il-vot il-Kummisjoni Ewropea se tkompli taħdem fuq ir-rikonoxximent ta' partnerships jew żwiġijiet f'pajjiżi differenti għad-drittijiet ta' koppji tal-istess sess fl-Unjoni Ewropea.
Il-President tal-Istati Uniti, Barack Obama ħa sehem fil-kampanja 'It Gets Better' kontra s-suwiċidiji ta' persuni gay. Il-kampanja kienet organizzata wara s-suwiċidju ta' Tyler Clementi, student tal-mużika. Il-President Obama ukoll temm il-Policy Don't Ask Don't Tell fl-armata fejn persuni gay li ma ħbewx l-orjentazzjoni sesswali tagħhom m'għandhomx għalfejn jibżgħu li se jitkeċċew mill-armata.
Il-Knisja Kattolika kkawżat rabja kbira bl-iskandlu tal-abbuż sesswali fuq it-tfal. Il-Kardinal Bertone (In-numru tnejn tal-Papa) ddikjara li l-omosesswalità hi il-kawża tal-abbużi u ddefenda ċ-ċelibat. Il-kumment ħoloq rabja fost gruppi tad-drittijiet tal-persuni gay li qalu li l-iskandlu tal-abbuż sesswali minn membri tal-kleru mhux problema omosesswali.
Franza ikkundannat lill-Vatikan li pprova jitfa l-ħtija fuq il-qassisin gay. Wara, il-Kardinali Herranz u Sodano ddikjaraw li hawn kampanja ta' mibgħeda kontra l-Knisja Kattolika. Iżda l-Knisja Kattolika tal-Ingilterra u Wales qalet li ma taqbilx mal-kummenti tal-Kardinal Bertone. Father Marcus Stock qal li m'hemm l-ebda informazzjoni empirika li tgħaqqad l-omosesswalità mal-pedofelija. Il-Vatikan wara tbiegħed mill-kummenti ta' Bertone.
F' Malta Fr. Renè Camilleri f'intervista f'April qal li ma jaħsibx li l-omosesswalità hi l-problema. Id-deputat Helena Dalli kellha kliem iebes lejn il-Kardinal Bertone u qalet li l-Knisja tmur pass 'il quddiem u pass lura.
Il-Papa Benedittu XVI żar Malta u r-Renju Unit, fejn kien hemm protesti kontrih u fi Spanja ntlaqa' b' koppji gay jitbewsu fit-toroq li għadda minnhom. Is-sena spiċċat tajjeb għall-Papa li ammetta fil-Ktieb "Light of the World" li l-kondom jista' jintuża biex ikun evitat il-virus tal-AIDS. Qabel kien qajjem rabja fi triqtu lejn il-Kamerun fl-2009, meta kien qal li l-kondom ixerred il-virus.
U bil-ħaqq, Ricky Martin qalilna li hu gay u Elton John sar missier.
...morra f'Malta
Is-sena 2010 ma kienet tajba xejn għall-komunità LGBT Maltija.
Ftit ġranet ilu sirna nafu li mill-inqas 8 mil-31 suwiċidji li saru matul is-sena li għaddiet kienu minn persuni gay. Din hi figura tal-biżà meta tqis li 25% tas-suwiċidji saru minn 5% tal-popolazzjoni. Din hi figura allarmanti mmens u filwaqt li għandna nipproteġu l-privatezza tal-familja nvoluta ma jfissirx li m'għandna nagħmlu xejn. Wara kull mewta hemm familja mkissra u ma rridux ninsew li għal kull mewta hemm ħafna oħrajn li qegħdin ibatu iżda ma jaslux sa din l-estremità.
Intant, f'Jannar attivisti Gay oġġezzjonaw għall-kummenti tal-President George Abela meta kien qiegħed jagħti definizzjoni tal-familja.
Fi Frar, il-Mexxej tal-Partit Laburista (PL) Joseph Muscat qal li m'hemmx post għal nies li jobgħodu lill-gays fil-moviment ġdid tal-Labour. Hu qal ukoll li jrid Stat Sekulari bi ħbiberija mal-Knisja Kattolika.
Ktieb storiku
F'Marzu ħareġ ktieb fuq l-istorja Maltija rigward l-omosesswalità. 'Queer Mediterranean Memories' miktub mill-avukat Joseph Carmel Chetcuti ħoloq kontroversja għax fost ħafna affarijiet kien hemm li San Ġorġ Preca kien gay. Dan il-ktieb kien ikkundanndat mill-isqfijiet Maltin. Din il-kundanna kienet mogħtija prominenza fil-gazzetta 'IL-MUMENT' li s-soltu kważi qatt ma tikteb aħbarijiet fuq il-komunità gay.
Rapport fuq il-BBC dwar il-militari fl-Ewropa qal li nies gay ma jistgħux iservu apertament f'Malta. Dan kien miċħud mill-Forzi Armati ta' Malta li qalet li ma tagħmel l-ebda diskriminizazzjoni kontra nies gay u għandha attitudni "Live and Let Live" (Għix u ħalli lil min jgħix).
Karl Gouder (PN) kien elett fil-Parlament bħala l-ewwel deputat apertament gay. Sa issa jidher li ma għamel xejn għall-komunità gay.
Id-deputat Laburista Adrian Vassallo qal li jippreferi joqgħod fl-Iran. Forsi għandu jistaqsi lil Ebrahim Hamidi li kien se jiġi mgħallaq għax kien omosesswali.
Cyrus Engerer, kunsillier Nazzjonalista li ddikjara li hu gay qal li jaħsibha jibdilx għall-Partit Laburista jekk dan jirrikonoxxi żwieġ bejn koppji tal-istess sess. Il-Mexxej tal-Partit Laburista reġa' kkonferma li lest li joffri Partnership mingħajr adozzjoni. Cyrus Engerer qajjem kontroversja meta bies lill-partner tiegħu waqt il-gay pride u kumbinazzjoni deher fuq il-kamera tat-televiżjoni. Il-kunsilliera Sandra Camilleri qalet li Engerer kellu jitkeċċa mill-Parit Nazzjonalista talli wera l-attitudni tiegħu.
B'turija ta' rispett, lejn il-komunità Gay f'Malta, il-British High Commission tellgħet il-bandiera tal-qawsalla waqt il-ġimgħa tal-Gay Pride.
Ġo l-istat ta' Victoria, Awstralja, id-deputat sindku ta' Hobson Bay, Tony Briffa li twielet b'kundizzjoni Intersex iddikjara l-ġeneru tiegħu u qal li dejjem kellu jiġġieled biex isib lilu innifsu. Qal li ma kinetx fuq jekk isirx raġel iżda li kellu jsib lilu innifsu u mhux kif interferew it-tobba.
Reliġjon u Pulizija
F'mument rari ta' għaqda, il-mexxejja Musulmani u Kattoliċi Maltin ingħaqdu kontra ż-żwieġ gay. Il-qbil waqaf meta bdew jitkellmu fuq id-divorzju. Umanisti u attivisti gay iddeploraw dawn il-kummenti.
F'artiklu fit-TORĊA, Maria Borg Vella sabet li ma tistax tbus lill-partner tiegħek gay fil-pubbliku f' Ħal Qormi għax il-Pulizija jiġu għalik dak il-ħin stess iżda mhux daqshekk ħażin il-Belt, San Pawl il-Baħar u ż-Żejtun.
Parlament
Id-deputat Nazzjonalista Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando ppreżenta abozz ta' liġi għall-introduzzjoni tad-divorzju. F'Awwissu Mons. Gouder kien ikkwotat jgħid li dawk li jivvutaw favur id-divorzju ikunu qed jagħmlu dnub u dan qajjem reazzjoni qawwija.
Iktar 'il quddiem Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando ppreżenta abbozz ta' liġi mad-deputat Laburista Evarist Bartolo. Bartolo ukoll ippreżenta abozz ta' liġi li jipproteġi lil nies transesswali.
Id-Deputat Laburista Owen Bonnici staqsa lil Ministru tar-Riżorsi il-Perit George Pullicino jekk jiddiskriminax fuq bażi ta' orjentazzjoni sesswali meta jimpjega nies fis-segretarjat privat tiegħu. Ir-risposta kienet Le.
Evarist Bartolo staqsa lill-Ministru tal-Ġustizzja meta Malta se tagħti drittijiet lil koppji tal-istess sess u semma l-Irlanda bħala eżempju fejn il-Partnership ċivili kien għadu kif ġie introdott. Il-Ministru qal li dak li jiġri f'pajjiżi oħra m'għandux effett fuq Malta.
Bil-ħaqq, il-Prim Ministru wiegħed f'Mejju li għadda li sa l-aħħar tal-2010 kienet se tkun introdotta l-Liġi tal-Koabitazzjoni. S'issa lanqas l-abbozz ta' liġi ma kien ippreżentat.
Qorti Konstituzzjonali
Joanne Cassar, mara li twieldet b'organi sesswali ta' raġel u li għamlet l-operazzjonijiet meħtieġa biex il-ġisem tagħha jkun konformi ma' l-identità tagħha kienet għamlet l-aħbarijiet meta rebħet id-dritt li jinbidel iċ-ċertifikat ta-twelid u l-Karta ta' l-Identità. Madanakollu hi kienet imwaqqfa milli tiżżewweġ.
Rebħet id-dritt li tiżżewweġ f'Diċembru iżda l-Avukat Ġenerali appella, u l-appell se jinstema' l-14 ta' Frar, jum il-maħbubin!
L-Avukat Ġenerali fl-Appell tiegħu qal li jekk nagħtu d-dritt lil Joanne biex tiżżewweġ, ikunu jridu jiżżewġu ukoll l-gays u dan imur kontra l-Ordni Pubblika Maltija.
Intant, il-politika fuq is-saħħa sesswali kient ippreżentata wara għaxar snin, iżda l-kontenut kien muri lill-Kurja li naqqset s-sustanza.
Min-naħa l-oħra l-Ministru ta' l-Edukazzjoni, Dolores Cristina qalet li l-Kumissjoni għall-Promozzjoni tal-Ugwaljanza (NCPE) għandha tinkludi l-orjentazzjoni sesswali fil-kompetenza tagħha. Dan hu l-uniku sinjal pożittiv tal-Gvern Nazzjonalista fl-2010. Insomma, din m'għandha tissorprendi lil ħadd jekk il-Gvern Nazzjonalista jara l-omosesswalità bħala realtà ġdida skont il-kunsillier tax-Xagħra, Għawdex, Kevin Cutajar. Bil-ħaqq, issa l-Gvern jinteressah x'nagħmlu fil-kamra tas-sodda.
Il-Malta Gay Rights Movement stqarret li hemm diskriminazzjoni kbira kontra l-komunità LGBT fl-isferi kollha. Il-każ ta' raġel li kellu jagħżel bejn il-ġenituri anzjani u l-partner barrani hu l-aktar wieħed tal-biki. Dan il-każ kien żvelat minn Victor Vella fit-TORĊA f'Mejju li għadda. Il-kumpassjoni Maltija marret il-baħar.
Kif tista' ma ċċempilx!
Nota: Dan it-tagħrif inġabar mill-Inġinier u attivist gay Patrick Attard. Tista' taqra l-artikli li fuqhom ibbażat ir-Round-Up 2010 hawn: http://patrickattard.blogspot.com
IS-SENA 2010 kienet importanti ħafna għall-Komunità Liżbjana, Gay, Bisesswali u Transesswali (LGBT) madwar id-dinja. Iż-żwieġ gay kien introdott fl-Iżlanda, il-Portugal, l-Arġentina, il-Belt ta' Messiku u Kalifornja. 'Partnership' bejn koppji tal-istess sess kien introdott fl-Irlanda.Il-Portugall daħħal iż-żwieġ minkejja li l-Papa qal li dan hu theddida insidjuża u perikoluża għall-ġid komuni. Fl-Arġentina, il-Kardinal Bergoglio qal li ż-żwieġ bejn koppji gay hu x-xogħol tax-xitan u organizza protesti kbar b'aktar minn 80,000 ruħ fit-toroq tal-Kapitali Buenos Aires. Il-Knisja Kattolika ppruvat kull gambetta possibbli biex dan iż-żwieġ ma jidħolx u ngħaqdet saħansitra mal-Musulmani. Is-Sindku tal-Belt tal-Messiku għamel libell kontra l-isqof tal-Belt wara li qal li ż-żwieġ daħal wara li xxaħħmu l-Imħallfin biex tidħol il-liġi.
F'Kuba, Fidel Castro ħa responsabbiltà tal-persekuzzjoni ta' nies gay taħt ir-reġim tiegħu.
F'Malawi, koppja ta' rġiel gay ingħataw 14-il sena ħabs wara li għamlu ċelebrazzjoni simbolika ta' żwieġ. Huma nħelsu wara maħfra presidenzjali. Kien hemm pressjoni mill-Ġnus Magħquda li sejħu din is-sentenza bħala preċedent perikoluż.
Ħafna nies kienu msawta u arrestati wara li l-Pulizija waqqfet Gay Pride fil-Belarus.
Attivisti Gay ġo Moska kienu arrestati minn Pulizija Russa. Dawn l-attivisti kienu qed jipprotestaw fuq l-imġieba tas-Sindku li wera ħafna mibgħeda lejn l-omosesswali. Il-Qorti Ewropea tad-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem ordnat kumpens lil dawn l-attivisti.
Il-Parlament Ewropew irid li l-pajjiżi fl-Unjoni Ewropea jirrikonoxxu relazzjonijiet bejn persuni tal-istess sess. Wara dan il-vot il-Kummisjoni Ewropea se tkompli taħdem fuq ir-rikonoxximent ta' partnerships jew żwiġijiet f'pajjiżi differenti għad-drittijiet ta' koppji tal-istess sess fl-Unjoni Ewropea.
Il-President tal-Istati Uniti, Barack Obama ħa sehem fil-kampanja 'It Gets Better' kontra s-suwiċidiji ta' persuni gay. Il-kampanja kienet organizzata wara s-suwiċidju ta' Tyler Clementi, student tal-mużika. Il-President Obama ukoll temm il-Policy Don't Ask Don't Tell fl-armata fejn persuni gay li ma ħbewx l-orjentazzjoni sesswali tagħhom m'għandhomx għalfejn jibżgħu li se jitkeċċew mill-armata.
Il-Knisja Kattolika kkawżat rabja kbira bl-iskandlu tal-abbuż sesswali fuq it-tfal. Il-Kardinal Bertone (In-numru tnejn tal-Papa) ddikjara li l-omosesswalità hi il-kawża tal-abbużi u ddefenda ċ-ċelibat. Il-kumment ħoloq rabja fost gruppi tad-drittijiet tal-persuni gay li qalu li l-iskandlu tal-abbuż sesswali minn membri tal-kleru mhux problema omosesswali.
Franza ikkundannat lill-Vatikan li pprova jitfa l-ħtija fuq il-qassisin gay. Wara, il-Kardinali Herranz u Sodano ddikjaraw li hawn kampanja ta' mibgħeda kontra l-Knisja Kattolika. Iżda l-Knisja Kattolika tal-Ingilterra u Wales qalet li ma taqbilx mal-kummenti tal-Kardinal Bertone. Father Marcus Stock qal li m'hemm l-ebda informazzjoni empirika li tgħaqqad l-omosesswalità mal-pedofelija. Il-Vatikan wara tbiegħed mill-kummenti ta' Bertone.
F' Malta Fr. Renè Camilleri f'intervista f'April qal li ma jaħsibx li l-omosesswalità hi l-problema. Id-deputat Helena Dalli kellha kliem iebes lejn il-Kardinal Bertone u qalet li l-Knisja tmur pass 'il quddiem u pass lura.
Il-Papa Benedittu XVI żar Malta u r-Renju Unit, fejn kien hemm protesti kontrih u fi Spanja ntlaqa' b' koppji gay jitbewsu fit-toroq li għadda minnhom. Is-sena spiċċat tajjeb għall-Papa li ammetta fil-Ktieb "Light of the World" li l-kondom jista' jintuża biex ikun evitat il-virus tal-AIDS. Qabel kien qajjem rabja fi triqtu lejn il-Kamerun fl-2009, meta kien qal li l-kondom ixerred il-virus.
U bil-ħaqq, Ricky Martin qalilna li hu gay u Elton John sar missier.
...morra f'Malta
Is-sena 2010 ma kienet tajba xejn għall-komunità LGBT Maltija.Ftit ġranet ilu sirna nafu li mill-inqas 8 mil-31 suwiċidji li saru matul is-sena li għaddiet kienu minn persuni gay. Din hi figura tal-biżà meta tqis li 25% tas-suwiċidji saru minn 5% tal-popolazzjoni. Din hi figura allarmanti mmens u filwaqt li għandna nipproteġu l-privatezza tal-familja nvoluta ma jfissirx li m'għandna nagħmlu xejn. Wara kull mewta hemm familja mkissra u ma rridux ninsew li għal kull mewta hemm ħafna oħrajn li qegħdin ibatu iżda ma jaslux sa din l-estremità.
Intant, f'Jannar attivisti Gay oġġezzjonaw għall-kummenti tal-President George Abela meta kien qiegħed jagħti definizzjoni tal-familja.
Fi Frar, il-Mexxej tal-Partit Laburista (PL) Joseph Muscat qal li m'hemmx post għal nies li jobgħodu lill-gays fil-moviment ġdid tal-Labour. Hu qal ukoll li jrid Stat Sekulari bi ħbiberija mal-Knisja Kattolika.
Ktieb storiku
F'Marzu ħareġ ktieb fuq l-istorja Maltija rigward l-omosesswalità. 'Queer Mediterranean Memories' miktub mill-avukat Joseph Carmel Chetcuti ħoloq kontroversja għax fost ħafna affarijiet kien hemm li San Ġorġ Preca kien gay. Dan il-ktieb kien ikkundanndat mill-isqfijiet Maltin. Din il-kundanna kienet mogħtija prominenza fil-gazzetta 'IL-MUMENT' li s-soltu kważi qatt ma tikteb aħbarijiet fuq il-komunità gay.
Rapport fuq il-BBC dwar il-militari fl-Ewropa qal li nies gay ma jistgħux iservu apertament f'Malta. Dan kien miċħud mill-Forzi Armati ta' Malta li qalet li ma tagħmel l-ebda diskriminizazzjoni kontra nies gay u għandha attitudni "Live and Let Live" (Għix u ħalli lil min jgħix).
Karl Gouder (PN) kien elett fil-Parlament bħala l-ewwel deputat apertament gay. Sa issa jidher li ma għamel xejn għall-komunità gay.
Id-deputat Laburista Adrian Vassallo qal li jippreferi joqgħod fl-Iran. Forsi għandu jistaqsi lil Ebrahim Hamidi li kien se jiġi mgħallaq għax kien omosesswali.
Cyrus Engerer, kunsillier Nazzjonalista li ddikjara li hu gay qal li jaħsibha jibdilx għall-Partit Laburista jekk dan jirrikonoxxi żwieġ bejn koppji tal-istess sess. Il-Mexxej tal-Partit Laburista reġa' kkonferma li lest li joffri Partnership mingħajr adozzjoni. Cyrus Engerer qajjem kontroversja meta bies lill-partner tiegħu waqt il-gay pride u kumbinazzjoni deher fuq il-kamera tat-televiżjoni. Il-kunsilliera Sandra Camilleri qalet li Engerer kellu jitkeċċa mill-Parit Nazzjonalista talli wera l-attitudni tiegħu.
B'turija ta' rispett, lejn il-komunità Gay f'Malta, il-British High Commission tellgħet il-bandiera tal-qawsalla waqt il-ġimgħa tal-Gay Pride.
Ġo l-istat ta' Victoria, Awstralja, id-deputat sindku ta' Hobson Bay, Tony Briffa li twielet b'kundizzjoni Intersex iddikjara l-ġeneru tiegħu u qal li dejjem kellu jiġġieled biex isib lilu innifsu. Qal li ma kinetx fuq jekk isirx raġel iżda li kellu jsib lilu innifsu u mhux kif interferew it-tobba.
Reliġjon u Pulizija
F'mument rari ta' għaqda, il-mexxejja Musulmani u Kattoliċi Maltin ingħaqdu kontra ż-żwieġ gay. Il-qbil waqaf meta bdew jitkellmu fuq id-divorzju. Umanisti u attivisti gay iddeploraw dawn il-kummenti.
F'artiklu fit-TORĊA, Maria Borg Vella sabet li ma tistax tbus lill-partner tiegħek gay fil-pubbliku f' Ħal Qormi għax il-Pulizija jiġu għalik dak il-ħin stess iżda mhux daqshekk ħażin il-Belt, San Pawl il-Baħar u ż-Żejtun.
Parlament
Id-deputat Nazzjonalista Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando ppreżenta abozz ta' liġi għall-introduzzjoni tad-divorzju. F'Awwissu Mons. Gouder kien ikkwotat jgħid li dawk li jivvutaw favur id-divorzju ikunu qed jagħmlu dnub u dan qajjem reazzjoni qawwija.
Iktar 'il quddiem Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando ppreżenta abbozz ta' liġi mad-deputat Laburista Evarist Bartolo. Bartolo ukoll ippreżenta abozz ta' liġi li jipproteġi lil nies transesswali.
Id-Deputat Laburista Owen Bonnici staqsa lil Ministru tar-Riżorsi il-Perit George Pullicino jekk jiddiskriminax fuq bażi ta' orjentazzjoni sesswali meta jimpjega nies fis-segretarjat privat tiegħu. Ir-risposta kienet Le.
Evarist Bartolo staqsa lill-Ministru tal-Ġustizzja meta Malta se tagħti drittijiet lil koppji tal-istess sess u semma l-Irlanda bħala eżempju fejn il-Partnership ċivili kien għadu kif ġie introdott. Il-Ministru qal li dak li jiġri f'pajjiżi oħra m'għandux effett fuq Malta.
Bil-ħaqq, il-Prim Ministru wiegħed f'Mejju li għadda li sa l-aħħar tal-2010 kienet se tkun introdotta l-Liġi tal-Koabitazzjoni. S'issa lanqas l-abbozz ta' liġi ma kien ippreżentat.
Qorti Konstituzzjonali
Joanne Cassar, mara li twieldet b'organi sesswali ta' raġel u li għamlet l-operazzjonijiet meħtieġa biex il-ġisem tagħha jkun konformi ma' l-identità tagħha kienet għamlet l-aħbarijiet meta rebħet id-dritt li jinbidel iċ-ċertifikat ta-twelid u l-Karta ta' l-Identità. Madanakollu hi kienet imwaqqfa milli tiżżewweġ.
Rebħet id-dritt li tiżżewweġ f'Diċembru iżda l-Avukat Ġenerali appella, u l-appell se jinstema' l-14 ta' Frar, jum il-maħbubin!
L-Avukat Ġenerali fl-Appell tiegħu qal li jekk nagħtu d-dritt lil Joanne biex tiżżewweġ, ikunu jridu jiżżewġu ukoll l-gays u dan imur kontra l-Ordni Pubblika Maltija.
Intant, il-politika fuq is-saħħa sesswali kient ippreżentata wara għaxar snin, iżda l-kontenut kien muri lill-Kurja li naqqset s-sustanza.
Min-naħa l-oħra l-Ministru ta' l-Edukazzjoni, Dolores Cristina qalet li l-Kumissjoni għall-Promozzjoni tal-Ugwaljanza (NCPE) għandha tinkludi l-orjentazzjoni sesswali fil-kompetenza tagħha. Dan hu l-uniku sinjal pożittiv tal-Gvern Nazzjonalista fl-2010. Insomma, din m'għandha tissorprendi lil ħadd jekk il-Gvern Nazzjonalista jara l-omosesswalità bħala realtà ġdida skont il-kunsillier tax-Xagħra, Għawdex, Kevin Cutajar. Bil-ħaqq, issa l-Gvern jinteressah x'nagħmlu fil-kamra tas-sodda.
Il-Malta Gay Rights Movement stqarret li hemm diskriminazzjoni kbira kontra l-komunità LGBT fl-isferi kollha. Il-każ ta' raġel li kellu jagħżel bejn il-ġenituri anzjani u l-partner barrani hu l-aktar wieħed tal-biki. Dan il-każ kien żvelat minn Victor Vella fit-TORĊA f'Mejju li għadda. Il-kumpassjoni Maltija marret il-baħar.
Kif tista' ma ċċempilx!
Nota: Dan it-tagħrif inġabar mill-Inġinier u attivist gay Patrick Attard. Tista' taqra l-artikli li fuqhom ibbażat ir-Round-Up 2010 hawn: http://patrickattard.blogspot.com
Thursday, 30 December 2010
Times: Gay marriage appeal devoid of compassion
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101230/letters/gay-marriage-appeal-devoid-of-compassion
Thursday, 30th December 2010; Patrick Attard, Naxxar
The Attorney General appealed the Constitutional Court's decision which had granted Joanne Cassar, a transsexual, the right to marry earlier this month (Trans-Gender's Right-To-Marry Appeal 'Waste Of People's Money', December 23).
The AG added the most insulting remark, that "same-sex marriages are certainly diametrically opposite to the Maltese public order".
May I ask to which Maltese public order is he referring? I am as Maltese as the AG. Would he perhaps be referring to the public order imposed by Malta's elite, namely the ultra-conservative government and its Do As I Preach Not As I Do partner, the Catholic Church?
What threat does gay marriage pose to the AG? Is it the right to be next to your partner's bed-side when he's very ill in hospital or the right to take emergency medical decisions in case of a serious accident?
I hope that the Attorney General's stone-cold heart received some much-needed compassion this Christmas.
On the other hand, we should commend Ms Cassar's courage, determination and altruism for continuing this battle even though her relationship has ended, in order to pave the way for other transsexuals after her.
I wish all the very best to all the Nationalist Party's ministers, MPs, MEPs, mayors and councillors, who always pledge to be on the forefront of civil rights and are now conspicuous by their silence, even though their fake smiles and empty words once again enchanted the Maltese viewers during Christmas time.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website. You can view more comments here.]Friday, 24 December 2010
An Appeal with No Compassion
24th December 2010 by Dr Inġ. Patrick Attard
The Attorney General appealed the Constitutional Court's Decision which had granted Joanne Cassar, a transsexual, the right to marry earlier this month.
The A.G. added the most insulting remark, that "same sex marriages are certainly diametrically opposite to the Maltese public order”. May I ask to which Maltese Public Order is he referring to? I am as Maltese as the Honorouble A.G. Maybe he is referring to the public order imposed by Malta's elite - namely the Ultra-Conservative Government and their - Do as I preach not as I do - partner, The Catholic Church.
What threat does gay marriage pose, to the A.G.? Is it the right to be next to your partner's bed-side when he's very ill in hospital or the right to take emergency medical decisions in case of a serious accident. I hope that the Honourable Attorney General's stone-cold heart receives some much-needed compassion this Christmas.
On the other hand we should commend Joanne's courage, determination and altruism for continuing this battle even though her relationship has ended, in order to pave the way for other transsexuals after her.
I wish all the Nationalist Party's Ministers, MPs, MEPs mayors and councillors who always pledge to be on the fore-front of civil rights and are now conspicuous by their silence a Merry Christmas, even though their fake smiles and empty words will once again enchant the Maltese viewers during Christmas time.
The Attorney General appealed the Constitutional Court's Decision which had granted Joanne Cassar, a transsexual, the right to marry earlier this month.The A.G. added the most insulting remark, that "same sex marriages are certainly diametrically opposite to the Maltese public order”. May I ask to which Maltese Public Order is he referring to? I am as Maltese as the Honorouble A.G. Maybe he is referring to the public order imposed by Malta's elite - namely the Ultra-Conservative Government and their - Do as I preach not as I do - partner, The Catholic Church.
What threat does gay marriage pose, to the A.G.? Is it the right to be next to your partner's bed-side when he's very ill in hospital or the right to take emergency medical decisions in case of a serious accident. I hope that the Honourable Attorney General's stone-cold heart receives some much-needed compassion this Christmas.
On the other hand we should commend Joanne's courage, determination and altruism for continuing this battle even though her relationship has ended, in order to pave the way for other transsexuals after her.
I wish all the Nationalist Party's Ministers, MPs, MEPs mayors and councillors who always pledge to be on the fore-front of civil rights and are now conspicuous by their silence a Merry Christmas, even though their fake smiles and empty words will once again enchant the Maltese viewers during Christmas time.
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Independent: Gay rights activist uncertain about cohabitation law
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=111950
11.9.10 by Francesca Vella
As Members of the European Parliament called for more rights for same-sex couples in Europe, gay rights activist Patrick Attard is uncertain about the proposed cohabitation law, which Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said will be enacted by the end of the year.
On Tuesday night, MEPs discussed discrimination against same-sex married couples or those in civil partnerships, mutual recognition of marriages and civil partnerships by same-sex couples, as well as discrimination against same-sex couples and freedom of movement.
Same-sex marriage is a reality in five European countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden). In some others, homosexual couples can establish a civil partnership. But what if a same-sex married couple moves to another EU country where that is not the case, such as Malta?
MEPs asked the European Commission three questions about discrimination of same-sex married people or those in civil union relationships who “can experience situations of direct and indirect discrimination when working, studying and travelling in the EU”. Dutch MEP Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL) said he registered his same-sex couple 21 years ago in Holland “but if we go to Poland we are no longer a legally recognised couple. When we use our freedom to move within the EU we lose a series of rights”.
Patrick Attard has come up with a set of proposals for legislation that would provide for civil partnerships between same-sex couples.
The law, explains Dr Attard, should include basic rights such as: hospital visitation rights in case of accident or serious illness of the partner, the right for one partner to take a medical decision in case the other partner is unable to do so, the right to take urgent family leave from work to take care of one’s sick partner, the right to organise the funeral in case of death, the right to take bereavement leave from work to mourn one’s partner.
Last May, Dr Gonzi said the government is working on a draft law on cohabitation, which it plans to enact by the end of the year.
Dr Attard said: “I think this a very important first step, but quite unrealistic considering that the prime minister, deputy prime minister and the highest people in government seem to despise gay people.
“We have been promised a law on cohabitation for over 12 years now, so I don’t believe anything concrete will happen now.”
Dr Attard pointed out that during a parliamentary debate on the rent reform, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg had said: “That’s all we need now! After we’ve finally decided to limit inheritance to married couples and children, now we are expected to extend this protection to those who decide to go and live with someone of the same sex”.
In contrast, MEPs called for more rights for same-sex couples in Europe. British MEP Michael Cashman has been in a same-sex civil partnership for 27 years.
“If I were to have an accident while on holiday in Italy, my partner would not even be given the basic right of deciding whether in such a case I should be on a life support machine or not. Rights acquired in one country should be respected in another.”
Dutch Liberal MEP Sophia In’t Veld, on her part, said that “every single EU citizen should have the same rights. It is not for the EU or governments to judge a personal relationship”. She went on to say that “the very least we should do in the EU is apply the principle of mutual recognition: we do it for jam, and wine, and beer, why don’t we do it for marriage and for relationships?” Viviane Reding, the EU Commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, told the European Parliament that “it is implicit that if you are allowed to move freely and to reside freely you must also have the rights which are coming from your first residence to your second residence”. At the same time, she said it is important to advance cautiously, to gradually bring the resistant member states to accept the general rules.
But Polish MEP Konrad Szymansky noted that the countries which do not recognise gay couples have the right not to do so. “If the state does not recognise it for anyone it is not discriminating and then this debate is a waste of time.”
The Maltese MEPs have been asked to comment on the matter, but none of them had replied to our questions by the time of writing.
11.9.10 by Francesca Vella
As Members of the European Parliament called for more rights for same-sex couples in Europe, gay rights activist Patrick Attard is uncertain about the proposed cohabitation law, which Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said will be enacted by the end of the year.
On Tuesday night, MEPs discussed discrimination against same-sex married couples or those in civil partnerships, mutual recognition of marriages and civil partnerships by same-sex couples, as well as discrimination against same-sex couples and freedom of movement.
Same-sex marriage is a reality in five European countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden). In some others, homosexual couples can establish a civil partnership. But what if a same-sex married couple moves to another EU country where that is not the case, such as Malta?
MEPs asked the European Commission three questions about discrimination of same-sex married people or those in civil union relationships who “can experience situations of direct and indirect discrimination when working, studying and travelling in the EU”. Dutch MEP Cornelis de Jong (GUE/NGL) said he registered his same-sex couple 21 years ago in Holland “but if we go to Poland we are no longer a legally recognised couple. When we use our freedom to move within the EU we lose a series of rights”.
Patrick Attard has come up with a set of proposals for legislation that would provide for civil partnerships between same-sex couples.
The law, explains Dr Attard, should include basic rights such as: hospital visitation rights in case of accident or serious illness of the partner, the right for one partner to take a medical decision in case the other partner is unable to do so, the right to take urgent family leave from work to take care of one’s sick partner, the right to organise the funeral in case of death, the right to take bereavement leave from work to mourn one’s partner.
Last May, Dr Gonzi said the government is working on a draft law on cohabitation, which it plans to enact by the end of the year.
Dr Attard said: “I think this a very important first step, but quite unrealistic considering that the prime minister, deputy prime minister and the highest people in government seem to despise gay people.
“We have been promised a law on cohabitation for over 12 years now, so I don’t believe anything concrete will happen now.”
Dr Attard pointed out that during a parliamentary debate on the rent reform, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg had said: “That’s all we need now! After we’ve finally decided to limit inheritance to married couples and children, now we are expected to extend this protection to those who decide to go and live with someone of the same sex”.
In contrast, MEPs called for more rights for same-sex couples in Europe. British MEP Michael Cashman has been in a same-sex civil partnership for 27 years.
“If I were to have an accident while on holiday in Italy, my partner would not even be given the basic right of deciding whether in such a case I should be on a life support machine or not. Rights acquired in one country should be respected in another.”
Dutch Liberal MEP Sophia In’t Veld, on her part, said that “every single EU citizen should have the same rights. It is not for the EU or governments to judge a personal relationship”. She went on to say that “the very least we should do in the EU is apply the principle of mutual recognition: we do it for jam, and wine, and beer, why don’t we do it for marriage and for relationships?” Viviane Reding, the EU Commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, told the European Parliament that “it is implicit that if you are allowed to move freely and to reside freely you must also have the rights which are coming from your first residence to your second residence”. At the same time, she said it is important to advance cautiously, to gradually bring the resistant member states to accept the general rules.
But Polish MEP Konrad Szymansky noted that the countries which do not recognise gay couples have the right not to do so. “If the state does not recognise it for anyone it is not discriminating and then this debate is a waste of time.”
The Maltese MEPs have been asked to comment on the matter, but none of them had replied to our questions by the time of writing.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Katholische Kirche: Furchtlos in Malta
18.4.10
©KNA
Valletta (KNA) Das kleine Malta hat der Papst gewählt, um ein deutliches Zeichen in der Missbrauchsthematik zu setzen. Überraschend und unter strenger Geheimhaltung traf Benedikt XVI. am Sonntag in Rabat mit acht Männern zusammen, die als Minderjährige sexuellen Missbrauch durch katholische Geistliche erlitten hatten.
Es war nur eine Begegnung von 20 Minuten in der Kapelle der Nuntiatur, gerahmt von Momenten des Gebetes. Aber insbesondere für manche ausländische Beobachter war es die eigentliche Nachricht der 14. Auslandsreise des Papstes.
Noch wenige Stunden vorher, am späten Samstagabend, hatte Vatikansprecher Federico Lombardi keine Bestätigung für das Gespräch geben wollen - oder können. «Solche Treffen finden statt, wenn sie stattfinden», sagte der Jesuit. Er verwies nur auf ähnliche Begebenheiten in den USA und beim Weltjugendtag in Sydney 2008. Im Abstand weniger Wochen hatte der Papst damals ein Zeichen setzen wollen, dass ihm das Schicksal der Missbrauchten nicht gleichgültig ist.
Auch dort vollzogen sich die Treffen zwar in einer Atmosphäre angespannter Erwartung, aber letztlich als Überraschungscoup. Dem Papst, so erklärt der Vatikan, ist diese Diskretion wichtig, um keinen medialen Druck entstehen zu lassen - auch im Blick auf die Opfer. Benedikt XVI. lege außerdem Wert darauf, dass sich die Gespräche in einem geistlichen Rahmen vollziehen. Es soll deutlich werden, dass es um ein Versagen geht, das auch in den Kategorien von religiöser Schuld und Vergebung abgearbeitet werden muss.
Zudem - und das betonte Lombardi am Sonntag noch einmal vor Journalisten - verbindet die Kirchenleitung mit den Treffen keinerlei juristische Konsequenzen. Kein Schuldeingeständnis, kein Vorgriff auf staatliche und kirchenrechtliche Urteilsfindungen. Die Untersuchungen in den betreffenden Diözesen müssten ihren eigenen Gang gehen. Dabei setzt der Vatikan weiterhin ausdrücklich auf die Kompetenz der Ortskirchenleitungen - auch wenn Benedikt XVI. sie im Fall der irischen Kirche unlängst kräftig angezweifelt hatte.
In Malta liegen die Dinge anders. Ein Indikator dafür ist, dass Erzbischof Paul Cremona von Malta sogar das Vertrauen des maltesischen Homosexuellen-Aktivisten Patrick Attard besitzt. Dieser hatte immerhin eine Facebook-Gruppe «Nein zu Papst Benedikt in Malta» ins Leben gerufen. «Ich wünschte, wir hätten einen Papst wie unseren Erzbischof», erklärte Attard in der lokalen Presse - polemisch, aber mit einem großen Lob für Cremona, den er als demütig, mitfühlend und weise beschreibt.
Als Gastgeber legte Cremona seinem Oberhaupt konfliktfrei und loyal die Themen vor, die die eigentliche Botschaft der Reise des Papstes nach Malta bildeten: Bewahrung des Glaubens und der moralischen Werte, vor allem, wenn es um den Schutz des Lebens und der Ehe geht.
Und schließlich auch die Erinnerung an die große Tradition der Gastfreundschaft, die mit Blick auf die Landung des Apostels Paulus vor 1.950 ein Leitmotiv der Wochenendvisite aus Rom war.
Benedikt XVI. bewegte sich durchweg in diesem Themenkanon, bei seinen Ansprachen vor Staatspräsident George Abela, vor Missionaren am Paulus-Ort Rabat, in der Messe auf dem großen Repräsentationsplatz vor den Toren der Hauptstadt Valletta.
Akzentuiert sprach er davon auch noch einmal bei einem Treffen mit gut 12.000 Jugendlichen im Hafen von Valletta am späten Sonntagnachmittag.
«Ihr solltet stolz darauf sein, dass euer Land sowohl die Ungeboren schützt wie auch ein stabiles Familienleben fördert, indem es die Abtreibung und die Ehescheidung ablehnt», rief Benedikt XVI. den jungen Gläubigen zu. In Europa, warnte er, stünden die Werte des Evangeliums «wieder im Gegensatz zur vorherrschenden Kultur, so wie es zur Zeit des heiligen Paulus der Fall war.»
Der Papst weiß, dass das katholische Malta gerade in der EU ein starker Partner für den Vatikan ist. Entsprechend energisch war sein Zuruf an die jungen Christen: «Fürchtet euch nicht!» - der Zuruf des Paulus an seine Mitreisenden, als sie vor Malta Schiffbruch erlitten. Diese Furchtlosigkeit werden die Gläubigen brauchen, in den Stürmen außerhalb und innerhalb der Kirche.
Von Burkhard Jürgens (KNA)
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
It-Torċa: Nixtieq Papa bħall-Arċisqof
http://www.it-torca.com/news.asp?newsitemid=9454
18.4.10
Iż-żjara tal-Papa f’pajjiżna ġiet deskritta bħala żball, mill-inġinier u attivist favur id-drittijiet ta’ persuni ommosesswali, Patrick Attard.
Patrick Attard, li skomunika ruħu mill-Knisja fid-dawl ta’ ċerti kummenti li għamel il-Papa Benedittu XVI, iddikjara dan mat-TORĊA fl-aħħar sigħat.
“Fl-opinjoni tiegħi hu żball li Malta tonfoq żewġ ewro għal kull ċittadin biex wieħed mill-iktar irġiel sinjuri fid-dinja jiġi jorqod hawn lejl wieħed. Iktar u iktar meta l-messaġġi tiegħu ixerrdu mibegħda kontra l-‘gays’, lesbjani u transesswali,” iddikjara Attard, li talab laqgħa mal-Papa biex iwassal il-ħsibijiet tiegħu, liema talba ma kinitx milqugħa mill-Vatikan.
“Nemmen li l-mod kif il-Knisja Kattolika timxi mal-komunità gay mhux xieraq u qed jagħmel ħafna deni mad-dinja kollha u jien konvint li għad jasal żmien fejn il-Knisja Kattolika tbiddel il-pożizzjoni tagħha,” qal Attard filwaqt li saħaq li dan hu proċess li jista` jieħu ż-żmien.
“Jistgħu jgħaddu ftit snin jew mitt sena, imma xi darba jew oħra din il-pożizzjoni se tinbidel. Meta jasal dan iż-żmien il-Knisja tagħmel apoloġija għat-tbatija żejda li ħolqot; tbatija li kissret familji u wasslet anki biex nies innoċenti jneħħu ħajjithom. Issa drajna nisimgħu b’apoloġiji ta’ għemil li sar mill-Knisja ħafna snin qabel,” jargumenta Attard.
Meta kien mitlub jikkumenta dwar l-ewwel ħames snin papat ta’ Benedittu XVI, Patrick Attard saħaq li kien ikun aħjar għall-knisja kieku saret għażla differenti.
“Ikun tajjeb kieku l-Knisja Kattolika għażlet Papa li għandu l-umiltà, kompassjoni u l-għerf tal-Arċisqof ta’ Malta, Monsinjur Pawlu Cremona, li għandi rispett kbir lejh. Hu jifhem it-tbatijiet tan-nies. Il-Knisja kieku tkun tista’ tagħmel ħafna ġid u mhux toħloq tbatija inutli f’nies li l-unika ħtija li għandhom hi li huma differenti,” temm jgħid Attard.
Is-sena l-oħra Patrick Attard kien bagħat ittra lill-President ta’ Malta George Abela fejn talbu biex jirtira l-istedina lill-Papa biex jiġi Malta.
Patrick Attard qal li dan kellu jsir sakemm il-Papa jagħ mel apoloġija lill-komunità gay ta’ ċerti dikjarazzjonijiet li għamel.
Jirriżulta li l-ittra ta’ Attard baqgħet mhux imwieġba mill-uffiċċju tal-President.
Aqra iktar dwar dikjarazzjonijiet li għamel Benedittu XVI u l-impressjonijiet li ħalla wara ħames snin papat, fis-suppliment li t-TORĊA qiegħda tippubblika llum fl-okażjoni taż-żjara tal-Papa.
18.4.10
Iż-żjara tal-Papa f’pajjiżna ġiet deskritta bħala żball, mill-inġinier u attivist favur id-drittijiet ta’ persuni ommosesswali, Patrick Attard.
Patrick Attard, li skomunika ruħu mill-Knisja fid-dawl ta’ ċerti kummenti li għamel il-Papa Benedittu XVI, iddikjara dan mat-TORĊA fl-aħħar sigħat.
“Fl-opinjoni tiegħi hu żball li Malta tonfoq żewġ ewro għal kull ċittadin biex wieħed mill-iktar irġiel sinjuri fid-dinja jiġi jorqod hawn lejl wieħed. Iktar u iktar meta l-messaġġi tiegħu ixerrdu mibegħda kontra l-‘gays’, lesbjani u transesswali,” iddikjara Attard, li talab laqgħa mal-Papa biex iwassal il-ħsibijiet tiegħu, liema talba ma kinitx milqugħa mill-Vatikan.
“Nemmen li l-mod kif il-Knisja Kattolika timxi mal-komunità gay mhux xieraq u qed jagħmel ħafna deni mad-dinja kollha u jien konvint li għad jasal żmien fejn il-Knisja Kattolika tbiddel il-pożizzjoni tagħha,” qal Attard filwaqt li saħaq li dan hu proċess li jista` jieħu ż-żmien.
“Jistgħu jgħaddu ftit snin jew mitt sena, imma xi darba jew oħra din il-pożizzjoni se tinbidel. Meta jasal dan iż-żmien il-Knisja tagħmel apoloġija għat-tbatija żejda li ħolqot; tbatija li kissret familji u wasslet anki biex nies innoċenti jneħħu ħajjithom. Issa drajna nisimgħu b’apoloġiji ta’ għemil li sar mill-Knisja ħafna snin qabel,” jargumenta Attard.
Meta kien mitlub jikkumenta dwar l-ewwel ħames snin papat ta’ Benedittu XVI, Patrick Attard saħaq li kien ikun aħjar għall-knisja kieku saret għażla differenti.
“Ikun tajjeb kieku l-Knisja Kattolika għażlet Papa li għandu l-umiltà, kompassjoni u l-għerf tal-Arċisqof ta’ Malta, Monsinjur Pawlu Cremona, li għandi rispett kbir lejh. Hu jifhem it-tbatijiet tan-nies. Il-Knisja kieku tkun tista’ tagħmel ħafna ġid u mhux toħloq tbatija inutli f’nies li l-unika ħtija li għandhom hi li huma differenti,” temm jgħid Attard.
Is-sena l-oħra Patrick Attard kien bagħat ittra lill-President ta’ Malta George Abela fejn talbu biex jirtira l-istedina lill-Papa biex jiġi Malta.
Patrick Attard qal li dan kellu jsir sakemm il-Papa jagħ mel apoloġija lill-komunità gay ta’ ċerti dikjarazzjonijiet li għamel.
Jirriżulta li l-ittra ta’ Attard baqgħet mhux imwieġba mill-uffiċċju tal-President.
Aqra iktar dwar dikjarazzjonijiet li għamel Benedittu XVI u l-impressjonijiet li ħalla wara ħames snin papat, fis-suppliment li t-TORĊA qiegħda tippubblika llum fl-okażjoni taż-żjara tal-Papa.
Di-ve: Vatican declines request for meeting between Pope and gay rights activist
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=71562
16 April 2010
A request made by the gay rights movement to meet the Pope was rejected by the Vatican Authorities responsible for the visit to Malta on the grounds that many people had requested to meet the Pope.
In a statement, a spokesman for the movement said that their request has been forwarded to the Vatican by the Maltese Curia.
Dr Patrick Attard said that he had asked for an audience to discuss gay issues with the Pope during his visit to Malta. He wished to talk to the Pope directly without having the message filtered through his assistants that granting civil rights to gay couples did not in anyway threatened a religious marriage as understood by the Catholic Church.
Dr Attard had last year sent an open-letter to President Dr George Abela to withdraw the invitation to the Pope until he issued an apology for a letter he wrote in 1986.
He thanked Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona and the Pro-Vicar General Mgr Anton Gouder for taking his request seriously and forwarding the request to the Vatican Authorities.
16 April 2010
A request made by the gay rights movement to meet the Pope was rejected by the Vatican Authorities responsible for the visit to Malta on the grounds that many people had requested to meet the Pope.
In a statement, a spokesman for the movement said that their request has been forwarded to the Vatican by the Maltese Curia.
Dr Patrick Attard said that he had asked for an audience to discuss gay issues with the Pope during his visit to Malta. He wished to talk to the Pope directly without having the message filtered through his assistants that granting civil rights to gay couples did not in anyway threatened a religious marriage as understood by the Catholic Church.
Dr Attard had last year sent an open-letter to President Dr George Abela to withdraw the invitation to the Pope until he issued an apology for a letter he wrote in 1986.
He thanked Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona and the Pro-Vicar General Mgr Anton Gouder for taking his request seriously and forwarding the request to the Vatican Authorities.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Vatican declines request for meeting between Pope and Gay Rights Activist
PRESS RELEASE 16.4.2010 by Dr Ing. Patrick Attard
In 1986 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger sent a letter to all Bishops saying that it is understandable that hate-crimes against gays increase if they are awarded more civil rights.
Dr Patrick Attard who was the first openly gay candidate to contest a general election and was later in the news for excommunicating himself from the Catholic Church asked for an audience with the Pope during his visit to Malta. The request was forwarded to the Vatican by the Maltese Curia but was rejected from the Vatican Authorities responsible for the visit to Malta on the grounds that many people had requested to meet the Pope.
The request made by Dr Attard focussed on gay issues and the Catholic Church. Dr Attard wished to talk to the Pope directly without having the message filtered through his assistants that granting civil rights to gay couples e.g. hospital visitation rights and migration rights do not in any way threat a religious marriage as understood by the Catholic Church. Dr Attard wanted to focus on a particular letter written by Pope Benedict XVI, Prefect as Joseph Ratzinger on the 1st October 1986, where he wrote that it is understandable that hate-crimes against gays increase if the State awards more civil rights to gay couples:
In the same letter Joseph Ratzinger called homosexuality an intrinsic moral evil which is objectively disordered.
Dr Attard had last year sent an open-letter to President Dr George Abela to withdraw the invitation to the Pope until an apology to the above letter was issued. To-date, no reply was received from the President's office.
Dr Attard would like Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona and the Pro-Vicar General Mgr Anton Gouder for taking his request seriously and forwarding the request to the Vatican Authorities.
Dr Attard condemns attempts by the Dean of the College of Cardinals Angelo Sodano to attribute the emerging scandal as part as a hate-campaign against the Church for its opposition to the Gay-Marriage. Such comments are obscene and attempt to deflect the attention from the heinous crimes committed against young children. He also condemns comments made by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's Secretary of State who linked paedophelia to homosexuality during a visit to Chile. These comments have been condemned by the French Foreign Ministry and the Catholic Church of England and Wales rebutted these claims. Father Marcus Stock, General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said: "There is no empirical data which concludes that sexual orientation is connected to child sexual abuse.”
In 1986 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger sent a letter to all Bishops saying that it is understandable that hate-crimes against gays increase if they are awarded more civil rights.
Dr Patrick Attard who was the first openly gay candidate to contest a general election and was later in the news for excommunicating himself from the Catholic Church asked for an audience with the Pope during his visit to Malta. The request was forwarded to the Vatican by the Maltese Curia but was rejected from the Vatican Authorities responsible for the visit to Malta on the grounds that many people had requested to meet the Pope.
The request made by Dr Attard focussed on gay issues and the Catholic Church. Dr Attard wished to talk to the Pope directly without having the message filtered through his assistants that granting civil rights to gay couples e.g. hospital visitation rights and migration rights do not in any way threat a religious marriage as understood by the Catholic Church. Dr Attard wanted to focus on a particular letter written by Pope Benedict XVI, Prefect as Joseph Ratzinger on the 1st October 1986, where he wrote that it is understandable that hate-crimes against gays increase if the State awards more civil rights to gay couples:
"But the proper reaction to crimes committed against homosexual persons should not be to claim that the homosexual condition is not disordered. When such a claim is made and when homosexual activity is consequently condoned, or when civil legislation is introduced to protect behavior to which no one has any conceivable right, neither the Church nor society at large should be surprised when other distorted notions and practices gain ground, and irrational and violent reactions increase."
In the same letter Joseph Ratzinger called homosexuality an intrinsic moral evil which is objectively disordered.
Dr Attard had last year sent an open-letter to President Dr George Abela to withdraw the invitation to the Pope until an apology to the above letter was issued. To-date, no reply was received from the President's office.
Dr Attard would like Archbishop Mgr Paul Cremona and the Pro-Vicar General Mgr Anton Gouder for taking his request seriously and forwarding the request to the Vatican Authorities.
Dr Attard condemns attempts by the Dean of the College of Cardinals Angelo Sodano to attribute the emerging scandal as part as a hate-campaign against the Church for its opposition to the Gay-Marriage. Such comments are obscene and attempt to deflect the attention from the heinous crimes committed against young children. He also condemns comments made by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's Secretary of State who linked paedophelia to homosexuality during a visit to Chile. These comments have been condemned by the French Foreign Ministry and the Catholic Church of England and Wales rebutted these claims. Father Marcus Stock, General Secretary of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said: "There is no empirical data which concludes that sexual orientation is connected to child sexual abuse.”
Monday, 15 March 2010
L-Orizzont: Ktieb ġdid dwar l-omosesswalità fil-gżejjer Maltin: Miktub biex issir diskussjoni...
http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=61163
14.3.10
14.3.10
Fi ktieb li se jitnieda nhar is-Sibt li ġej, intitolat “Queer Mediterranean Memories”, l-awtur Joseph Carmel Chetcuti jispekula fuq l-orjentazzjoni ta’ San Ġorġ Preca, fatt li mistenni joħloq kontroversja sħiħa f’pajjiżna. Fih anke hemm intervista ma’ membru tal-Malta Gay Rights Movement, fejn jitkellem fuq laqgħa mal-Arċisqof Emeritus Gużeppi Mercieca fejn dan kien qabbel l-omosesswalità mal-bestjalità.
Fl-intervista, dan il-membru tal-Gay Rights Movement jirreferi għal-laqgħa u jgħid li “speċi kellu x’jgħidilna. Beda jqabbel l-omosesswalità mal-ġibda lejn l-annimali, mal-bestjalità u imbagħad beda jgħid li speċi bħal ma anke l-ġibda lejn il-kriminalità. Ma jagħżilhiex hu l-bniedem. Tkun fih. Anke l-ġibda lejn l-annimali.
Jibqa’ mbagħad dawk li minkejja kollox qegħdin juru nuqqas ta’ qbil u oppożizzjoni għal dan il-ktieb. Minkejja li Dr Chetcuti ikkuntattja lil kull min seta’ għax kien se jissemma’ fil-ktieb, kien hemm min qallu li “dak kien fl-imgħoddi. Mhux aħjar inħalluha”. Fi kliem l-awtur stess, “naf li se jkun hawn min ma jaqbilx mal-ktieb għax irid li d-diskussjoni fuq l-omosesswalità f’Malta tibqa’ inviżibbli. Se jkun hemm anke persuni omosesswali li se jitkellmu kontra għax se jħossu li l-attenzjoni tas-soċjetà se ddur fuqhom minħabba l-ktieb. Dawn għadhom ma fehmux li aktar mal-omosesswalità u d-diskussjoni fuqhom tibqa’ inviżibbli, aktar se tkun diffiċli li dawn jakkwistaw l-ugwaljanza”. Hu għamilha ċara li “ma ridt li inweġġa’ lil ħadd. Anzi tajt l-opportunità biex dawk li kienu se jissemmew jagħtu l-veduti tagħhom u jien ippubblikajthom. Ridt li nkun bilanċjat. Biss ma nistax nitkellem fuq l-omosesswalità f’Malta mingħajr ma nispekula u mingħajr ma nsemmi nies. Ridt biss li tinħoloq diskussjoni f’Malta. Nittama li finalment l-omosesswali f’Malta jkollhom l-istess drittijiet li għandhom sħabhom f’ċerti pajjiżi Ewropej. Jispjega li kuntent ħafna li fl-aħħar snin kien hemm bidla sinifikanti f’Malta, dik li l-Kap tal-Partit Laburista, Joseph Muscat, qal li fil-Partit Laburista m’hemmx post għal min irid joħloq diskriminazzjoni fosthom fuq l-orjentazzjoni sesswali.
San Gorg Preca kellu tendenzi omosesswali
Meta wieħed jaqra l-ktieb, jista’ jħossu xxokkjat b’ċertu materjal li jsib fih. Fost dawn hemm dik li l-ewwel qaddis Malti, San Ġorġ Preca, kien ta’ tendenzi omosesswali. l-orizzont staqsa lil Dr Chetcuti dwar dan, u għaliex ħass li kellu jinkludih fil-ktieb.
“Minn hawn se mmur fi Blata l-Bajda biex niġbed ritratt lil San Ġorġ Preca. Biss irrid nagħmilha ċara, għax din hemm min qabad magħha, li fil-ktieb qed nispekula li San Ġorġ Preċa kellu tendenzi omosesswali u mhux li kien omosesswali prattikanti. Din hi differenza fundamentali, li kulħadd irid iżommha f’moħħu.”
Joseph Chetcuti fil-ktieb tiegħu jgħid li “ħafna jiftakru kif San Ġorġ Preca kien jinżel għall-irkobbtejh u jbus is-saqajn tal-istranġieri, att ta’ umiltà biex juri li hu kien is-serv tagħhom. Preca kien anke jbus is-saqajn tas-subien żgħar. Iż-żiju tiegħi Ġuże Chetcuti, kellu xi ħames jew sitt snin, meta Preca kien waqaf quddiemu u bieslu saqajh. Preca kien anke jgħannaq lil dawk li jbusilhom saqajhom.”
“Jien qatt ma ltqajt ma’ San Ġorġ Preca. Rajtu darba biss meta kelli xi għaxar snin. Kont miexi ma’ missieri l-Ħamrun u kien qalli ‘dak Dun Ġorġ Preca’ – li kien bil-qiegħda quddiem daru. Kien fis-sena 2007, eżattament fil-5 ta’ Marzu meta fuq programm tar-radju SBS fl-Awstralja jien smajt il-vuċi ta’ Dun Ġorġ. Fil-programm ixxandret parti minn omelija ta’ Dun Ġorġ. Il-vuċi tiegħu skantati. Imteddejt lura fuq is-sufan lanqas irrid nemmen lili nnifsi. Il-vuċi kienet waħda ta’ mħabba. Kien vuċi li taċċetta u tirrispetta. Jien mill-ewwel għaraftu bħala wieħed minna. Fil-5 ta’ Ġunju fuq ir-radju SBS reġgħu xandru priedka minn ta’ Dun Ġorġ u hawn erġajt ikkonfermajt is-suspetti li kelli. Fis-17 ta’ Lulju ta’ dik l-istess sena kienet saret taħdita f’Parkville, u dakinhar ixxandru partijiet oħrajn minn omeliji u priedki ta’ Dun Ġorġ. Wara t-taħdita jien bdejt nistaqsi lil xi nies, x’jidhrilhom mill-vuċi ta’ Dun Ġorġ. Kollha mingħajr eċċezzjoni, qaluli li ħasbu li l-vuċi kienet ta’ mara anzjana. Wieħed kellu sorpriża għalija fil-kumment tiegħu. Tkellem fuq meta kien jgħix f’Malta u li kien jiftakar kif Dun Ġorġ kien imiss ħafna xagħru.” Joseph Chetcuti jgħid kien hemm min qal li Dun Ġorġ kien jimxi u jmexxi idejh bħan-nisa.
Chetcuti jirrakkonta ukoll kif “Preca għall-bidu kien aċċetta rġiel miżżewġin fis-soċjetà imma wara l-1909, hu ddeċieda li ma jaċċettax aktar irġiel miżżewġin. Kien qal li “ma rridx aktar miżżewġin u romol. Irrid ġuvintur biss”. Chetcuti jgħid li f’okkażjoni oħra qal li jrid ġuvintur biss, “mil-lum ’il quddiem irrid ġuvintur biss, ma rridx kankallerija”.
Fil-ktieb, Chetcuti jikkwota partijiet oħrajn minn diskors ta’ Preca li tgħid li “għandhom ikunu jafu s-soċji: li dawk li beżgħu min-nisa, imxew feliċi fid-doveri tagħhom, u dawk li ma ndukrawx ruħhom minnhom, allavolja kienu kolonni tal-virtù, irrovinaw ruħhom. Għalhekk, il-kumpanija tipprojbixxi kull familjarità, mhux biss man-nisa ta’ kwalunkwè kundizzjoni u ta’ kwalunkwè età li huma barranin, iżda anke li huma ġewwinin, skont il-laħam u d-demm tal-parentela.”
Il-ktieb “Queer of Mediterranean Memories”, isemmi l-ittri ta’ Dun Ġorġ lill-ġuvintur u jgħid li lil dawn kienu jindirizzahom bħala “Għażiż Salvu”, “Għażiż Debattista” u “Għażiż ibni fi Kristu”, waqt li lin-nisa kienu jirreferi għalihom b’isimhom biss u qatt ma jikteb “Għażiża”. Chetcuti jsemmi wkoll ċirkostanza fejn Patri Alessandro Bonniċi, li kiteb l-istorja ta’ Dun Ġorġ, kien ġie mhedded bil-mewt biex ċerti affarijiet ma jinkitbux. Chetcuti jgħid “li qassis Franġiskan li tant kien jammira lil Dun Ġorġ, li ħass li kellu jiddikjara li ġie mhedded, hi disturbanti. Chetcuti jgħid li Bonniċi anke saritlu pressjoni biex ma jiktibx il-verità kollha. Il-ktieb ‘Queer Mediterranean Memories’, jistaqsi x’kien hemm x’jinħeba?”
Drittijiet michudin ghall-'gays' f'Malta
Fil-kummenti tiegħu lil l-orizzont, Joseph Chetcuti jgħid ċar u tond li “s-soċjetà Maltija nbidlet ħafna minn mindu ġejt għall-ewwel darba mill-Awstralja fl-1994. Meta fl-1994 ħadt sehem fuq programm lokali indunajt kemm is-soċjetà kienet għadha magħluqa. Ma kienx hawn edukazzjoni pubblika serja. Ftit li xejn kien hawn persuni ‘gay’ jitkellmu fuq iċ-ċirkostanzi tagħhom, waqt li dawk li kienu jikkritikaw lill-omosesswali kienu qegħdin juru kemm mhumiex informati fuq is-suġġett. Illum il-ġurnata l-affarijiet inbidlu ħafna. Ħafna persuni ‘gay’ bil-mod il-mod ħerġin mill-katakombi li kienu mistoħbijin fih. Qegħdin jiskopru lilhom infushom. Qegħdin jagħmlu t-talbiet tagħhom għad-drittijiet u qegħdin jistennew li jittieħdu bis-serjetà. Qegħdin ikunu kburin bis-sesswalità tagħhom. Qegħdin jitolbu dinjità. Qegħdin jieqfu lil min qed jibbuljahom, fosthom lil dawk li jgħidu li huma ‘n-nies ta’ Alla’ li jiċħdu l-ġenna lill-‘gays’ imma mbagħad jgħattu d-dnubiet ta’ qassisin b’akkużi ta’ pedofelija.”
Il-bars tal-'gays'... u personaggi 'gay'
Joseph Carmel Chetcuti jagħti rendikont dettaljat ħafna tal-ħwienet tax-xorb li kienu jiffrekwentaw persuni omosesswali f’Malta. Isemmi fost oħrajn lil “The Chameleon Club” f’Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, “The Nix” fil-Balluta, “Diddies” f’Buġibba, “Coronation Bar”, “Tom Bar”, “Dreadnaught” u “Seafarer’s Club” fil-Floriana. Jissemmew bars anke fl-irħula fosthom “Chicago Bar” fil-Għargħur, “Winter Gardens” fil-Gżira, “Feathers” fi Gwardamangia, “The Saints” fl-Imrieħel, “Lucano Bar” fil-Kalkara, “The Grotto Lounge Bar” fil-Kappara, “Lord Nelson” fil-Mosta, u “City of London” u “Falcon Bar” f’San Ġiljan. F’Tas-Sliema kien hemm “Terrick’s Bar”, f’San Pawl il-Baħar kien hemm “Pips Bar” u fil-Belt Valletta kien hemm “The Lantern”. Fix-Xemxija kien hemm l-istabbiliment “Natasha”, fiż-Żurrieq il-bar “Six Pence”, f’Ħaż-Żebbuġ “S Club” u f’Għawdex kien hemm “Tritons” f’Marsalforn u “Sesame” f’San Lawrenz.
F’kapitli oħra l-ktieb isemmi esperjenzi ta’ persuni ‘gay’ u anke jispekula fuq l-orjentazzjoni sesswali ta’ xi wħud. Jissemmew Robert Baden Powell, Dr James Barry, Lord George Gordon Noel Byron, il-Caravaggio, Nigel Dennis, Benjamin Disraeli, Lord Mountbatten, Charles Arrigo, Patrick Attard, Agatha Barbara, Marco Brown, Vivian de Gray, il-Baruni Giuseppe de Piro, John Baptist Francia, Mary il-Boy ta’ Tas-Sliema, Aldo Gatt Aka Gattaldo, Patist u sħabu tar-Rabat Malta, Rosie ta’ Santa Venera, Mabel Strickland u Alfio Testaferrata Boniċi Għaxaq fost oħrajn.
Il-ktieb jitnieda nhar is-Sibt
Il-ktieb “Queer Mediterranean Memories” se jitnieda nhar is-Sibt li ġej, 20 ta’ Marzu fil-Gallerija Libertà fil-Workers Memorial Building fi Triq in-Nofsinhar il-Belt Valletta. Il-ktieb se jitnieda miċ-Ċerpersin tal-Alternattiva Demokratika, Michael Briguglio. S’issa għadu mhux magħruf jekk il-Prim Ministru Lawrence Gonzi, hux se jattendi għal din l-attività.
Zrajt zerriegha... nixtieq min ikompli fuqha
Fil-kummenti tiegħu lil l-orizzont, Joseph Chetcuti jitkellem dwar ix-xewqat tiegħu għall-futur. “Li nixtieq hu li xi ħadd ikompli fuq dak li bdejt jien. Jien żrajt iż-żerriegħa u nixtieq li oħrajn ikomplu jiktbu. Illum hawn ħafna persuni ‘gay’ li kapaċi jiktbu aktar materjal, biex id-diskussjoni tkompli. Nixtieq ukoll li l-partiti politiċi kollha Maltin, jaħdmu biex il-persuni ‘gay’ f’Malta jkollhom id-drittijiet bażiċi li għandhom sħabhom f’pajjiżi Ewropej.”
Fl-intervista, dan il-membru tal-Gay Rights Movement jirreferi għal-laqgħa u jgħid li “speċi kellu x’jgħidilna. Beda jqabbel l-omosesswalità mal-ġibda lejn l-annimali, mal-bestjalità u imbagħad beda jgħid li speċi bħal ma anke l-ġibda lejn il-kriminalità. Ma jagħżilhiex hu l-bniedem. Tkun fih. Anke l-ġibda lejn l-annimali.
“Qalilna imma li trid trażżanha għax hi xi ħaġa li mhix naturali. Hekk ukoll l-omosesswalità u mbagħad beda jgħidilna frażijiet bħal per eżempju, li l-vit jidħol fl-iskorfina u ż-żarbun jintlibes fis-saqajn u mhux fir-ras. Konna nafu li mhux se nbiddlu l-attitudni tal-Knisja iżda ssuġġerejna li fi ħdan il-knisja jkun hemm grupp ta’ nies li huma ‘gay’ u jipprattikaw biex Miktub biex issir diskussjoni…
naraw li jibqgħu jħossuhom parti mill-Knisja ukoll. Hu beda jaqbeż fuq suġġetti oħrajn. Ma riedx jisma’. Kull ma rajna hu li ma kienx interessat jiddiskuti s-suġġett.”
Il-ktieb “Queer of Mediterranean Memories” hu tal-ewwel xorta tiegħu f’Malta, għax għall-ewwel darba qiegħed jikteb l-istorja – sa fejn jista’, tal-omosesswalità f’Malta. Fil-ktieb jingħata rendikont dettaljat ta’ persuni minn kull qasam tas-soċjetà Maltija li kienu omosesswali jew ta’ tendenzi omosesswali.
l-orizzont il-bieraħ tkellmet fit-tul mal-awtur, l-Avukat Joseph Carmel Chetcuti, residenti f’North Carlton f’Victoria fl-Awstralja. Bla dubju ta’ xejn li dan il-ktieb se joħloq għadd ta’ kontroversji. Dan għax l-awtur iżewwaq l-istorja tal-omosesswalità f’Malta sa minn żminijiet imbegħdin u anke jispekula fuq l-orjentazzjoni sesswali ta’ personaġġi magħrufin fosthom San Ġorġ Preca – l-ewwel qaddis Malti. Ma jonqosx li juri ukoll kif f’pajjiżna għad għandna ċerti forzi konservattivi, li jridu li dan is-suġġett jibqa’ lura fid-diskussjoni pubblika. Fir-riċerka tiegħu f’Malta, l-Avukat Chetcuti kien impressjonat bil-mod kif persuni omosesswali ddeċidew li jiftħu qalbhom miegħu u jgħidu l-istorja tagħhom. Mhux hekk biss, imma ħafna minnhom taw għadd kbir ta’ ritratti biex anke jkun jista’ jużahom għal din ir-riċerka.
Jibqa’ mbagħad dawk li minkejja kollox qegħdin juru nuqqas ta’ qbil u oppożizzjoni għal dan il-ktieb. Minkejja li Dr Chetcuti ikkuntattja lil kull min seta’ għax kien se jissemma’ fil-ktieb, kien hemm min qallu li “dak kien fl-imgħoddi. Mhux aħjar inħalluha”. Fi kliem l-awtur stess, “naf li se jkun hawn min ma jaqbilx mal-ktieb għax irid li d-diskussjoni fuq l-omosesswalità f’Malta tibqa’ inviżibbli. Se jkun hemm anke persuni omosesswali li se jitkellmu kontra għax se jħossu li l-attenzjoni tas-soċjetà se ddur fuqhom minħabba l-ktieb. Dawn għadhom ma fehmux li aktar mal-omosesswalità u d-diskussjoni fuqhom tibqa’ inviżibbli, aktar se tkun diffiċli li dawn jakkwistaw l-ugwaljanza”. Hu għamilha ċara li “ma ridt li inweġġa’ lil ħadd. Anzi tajt l-opportunità biex dawk li kienu se jissemmew jagħtu l-veduti tagħhom u jien ippubblikajthom. Ridt li nkun bilanċjat. Biss ma nistax nitkellem fuq l-omosesswalità f’Malta mingħajr ma nispekula u mingħajr ma nsemmi nies. Ridt biss li tinħoloq diskussjoni f’Malta. Nittama li finalment l-omosesswali f’Malta jkollhom l-istess drittijiet li għandhom sħabhom f’ċerti pajjiżi Ewropej. Jispjega li kuntent ħafna li fl-aħħar snin kien hemm bidla sinifikanti f’Malta, dik li l-Kap tal-Partit Laburista, Joseph Muscat, qal li fil-Partit Laburista m’hemmx post għal min irid joħloq diskriminazzjoni fosthom fuq l-orjentazzjoni sesswali.San Gorg Preca kellu tendenzi omosesswali
Meta wieħed jaqra l-ktieb, jista’ jħossu xxokkjat b’ċertu materjal li jsib fih. Fost dawn hemm dik li l-ewwel qaddis Malti, San Ġorġ Preca, kien ta’ tendenzi omosesswali. l-orizzont staqsa lil Dr Chetcuti dwar dan, u għaliex ħass li kellu jinkludih fil-ktieb.
“Minn hawn se mmur fi Blata l-Bajda biex niġbed ritratt lil San Ġorġ Preca. Biss irrid nagħmilha ċara, għax din hemm min qabad magħha, li fil-ktieb qed nispekula li San Ġorġ Preċa kellu tendenzi omosesswali u mhux li kien omosesswali prattikanti. Din hi differenza fundamentali, li kulħadd irid iżommha f’moħħu.”
Joseph Chetcuti fil-ktieb tiegħu jgħid li “ħafna jiftakru kif San Ġorġ Preca kien jinżel għall-irkobbtejh u jbus is-saqajn tal-istranġieri, att ta’ umiltà biex juri li hu kien is-serv tagħhom. Preca kien anke jbus is-saqajn tas-subien żgħar. Iż-żiju tiegħi Ġuże Chetcuti, kellu xi ħames jew sitt snin, meta Preca kien waqaf quddiemu u bieslu saqajh. Preca kien anke jgħannaq lil dawk li jbusilhom saqajhom.”
“Jien qatt ma ltqajt ma’ San Ġorġ Preca. Rajtu darba biss meta kelli xi għaxar snin. Kont miexi ma’ missieri l-Ħamrun u kien qalli ‘dak Dun Ġorġ Preca’ – li kien bil-qiegħda quddiem daru. Kien fis-sena 2007, eżattament fil-5 ta’ Marzu meta fuq programm tar-radju SBS fl-Awstralja jien smajt il-vuċi ta’ Dun Ġorġ. Fil-programm ixxandret parti minn omelija ta’ Dun Ġorġ. Il-vuċi tiegħu skantati. Imteddejt lura fuq is-sufan lanqas irrid nemmen lili nnifsi. Il-vuċi kienet waħda ta’ mħabba. Kien vuċi li taċċetta u tirrispetta. Jien mill-ewwel għaraftu bħala wieħed minna. Fil-5 ta’ Ġunju fuq ir-radju SBS reġgħu xandru priedka minn ta’ Dun Ġorġ u hawn erġajt ikkonfermajt is-suspetti li kelli. Fis-17 ta’ Lulju ta’ dik l-istess sena kienet saret taħdita f’Parkville, u dakinhar ixxandru partijiet oħrajn minn omeliji u priedki ta’ Dun Ġorġ. Wara t-taħdita jien bdejt nistaqsi lil xi nies, x’jidhrilhom mill-vuċi ta’ Dun Ġorġ. Kollha mingħajr eċċezzjoni, qaluli li ħasbu li l-vuċi kienet ta’ mara anzjana. Wieħed kellu sorpriża għalija fil-kumment tiegħu. Tkellem fuq meta kien jgħix f’Malta u li kien jiftakar kif Dun Ġorġ kien imiss ħafna xagħru.” Joseph Chetcuti jgħid kien hemm min qal li Dun Ġorġ kien jimxi u jmexxi idejh bħan-nisa.
Chetcuti jirrakkonta ukoll kif “Preca għall-bidu kien aċċetta rġiel miżżewġin fis-soċjetà imma wara l-1909, hu ddeċieda li ma jaċċettax aktar irġiel miżżewġin. Kien qal li “ma rridx aktar miżżewġin u romol. Irrid ġuvintur biss”. Chetcuti jgħid li f’okkażjoni oħra qal li jrid ġuvintur biss, “mil-lum ’il quddiem irrid ġuvintur biss, ma rridx kankallerija”.
Fil-ktieb, Chetcuti jikkwota partijiet oħrajn minn diskors ta’ Preca li tgħid li “għandhom ikunu jafu s-soċji: li dawk li beżgħu min-nisa, imxew feliċi fid-doveri tagħhom, u dawk li ma ndukrawx ruħhom minnhom, allavolja kienu kolonni tal-virtù, irrovinaw ruħhom. Għalhekk, il-kumpanija tipprojbixxi kull familjarità, mhux biss man-nisa ta’ kwalunkwè kundizzjoni u ta’ kwalunkwè età li huma barranin, iżda anke li huma ġewwinin, skont il-laħam u d-demm tal-parentela.”
Il-ktieb “Queer of Mediterranean Memories”, isemmi l-ittri ta’ Dun Ġorġ lill-ġuvintur u jgħid li lil dawn kienu jindirizzahom bħala “Għażiż Salvu”, “Għażiż Debattista” u “Għażiż ibni fi Kristu”, waqt li lin-nisa kienu jirreferi għalihom b’isimhom biss u qatt ma jikteb “Għażiża”. Chetcuti jsemmi wkoll ċirkostanza fejn Patri Alessandro Bonniċi, li kiteb l-istorja ta’ Dun Ġorġ, kien ġie mhedded bil-mewt biex ċerti affarijiet ma jinkitbux. Chetcuti jgħid “li qassis Franġiskan li tant kien jammira lil Dun Ġorġ, li ħass li kellu jiddikjara li ġie mhedded, hi disturbanti. Chetcuti jgħid li Bonniċi anke saritlu pressjoni biex ma jiktibx il-verità kollha. Il-ktieb ‘Queer Mediterranean Memories’, jistaqsi x’kien hemm x’jinħeba?”
Drittijiet michudin ghall-'gays' f'Malta
Fil-kummenti tiegħu lil l-orizzont, Joseph Chetcuti jgħid ċar u tond li “s-soċjetà Maltija nbidlet ħafna minn mindu ġejt għall-ewwel darba mill-Awstralja fl-1994. Meta fl-1994 ħadt sehem fuq programm lokali indunajt kemm is-soċjetà kienet għadha magħluqa. Ma kienx hawn edukazzjoni pubblika serja. Ftit li xejn kien hawn persuni ‘gay’ jitkellmu fuq iċ-ċirkostanzi tagħhom, waqt li dawk li kienu jikkritikaw lill-omosesswali kienu qegħdin juru kemm mhumiex informati fuq is-suġġett. Illum il-ġurnata l-affarijiet inbidlu ħafna. Ħafna persuni ‘gay’ bil-mod il-mod ħerġin mill-katakombi li kienu mistoħbijin fih. Qegħdin jiskopru lilhom infushom. Qegħdin jagħmlu t-talbiet tagħhom għad-drittijiet u qegħdin jistennew li jittieħdu bis-serjetà. Qegħdin ikunu kburin bis-sesswalità tagħhom. Qegħdin jitolbu dinjità. Qegħdin jieqfu lil min qed jibbuljahom, fosthom lil dawk li jgħidu li huma ‘n-nies ta’ Alla’ li jiċħdu l-ġenna lill-‘gays’ imma mbagħad jgħattu d-dnubiet ta’ qassisin b’akkużi ta’ pedofelija.”
Il-bars tal-'gays'... u personaggi 'gay'
Joseph Carmel Chetcuti jagħti rendikont dettaljat ħafna tal-ħwienet tax-xorb li kienu jiffrekwentaw persuni omosesswali f’Malta. Isemmi fost oħrajn lil “The Chameleon Club” f’Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, “The Nix” fil-Balluta, “Diddies” f’Buġibba, “Coronation Bar”, “Tom Bar”, “Dreadnaught” u “Seafarer’s Club” fil-Floriana. Jissemmew bars anke fl-irħula fosthom “Chicago Bar” fil-Għargħur, “Winter Gardens” fil-Gżira, “Feathers” fi Gwardamangia, “The Saints” fl-Imrieħel, “Lucano Bar” fil-Kalkara, “The Grotto Lounge Bar” fil-Kappara, “Lord Nelson” fil-Mosta, u “City of London” u “Falcon Bar” f’San Ġiljan. F’Tas-Sliema kien hemm “Terrick’s Bar”, f’San Pawl il-Baħar kien hemm “Pips Bar” u fil-Belt Valletta kien hemm “The Lantern”. Fix-Xemxija kien hemm l-istabbiliment “Natasha”, fiż-Żurrieq il-bar “Six Pence”, f’Ħaż-Żebbuġ “S Club” u f’Għawdex kien hemm “Tritons” f’Marsalforn u “Sesame” f’San Lawrenz.
F’kapitli oħra l-ktieb isemmi esperjenzi ta’ persuni ‘gay’ u anke jispekula fuq l-orjentazzjoni sesswali ta’ xi wħud. Jissemmew Robert Baden Powell, Dr James Barry, Lord George Gordon Noel Byron, il-Caravaggio, Nigel Dennis, Benjamin Disraeli, Lord Mountbatten, Charles Arrigo, Patrick Attard, Agatha Barbara, Marco Brown, Vivian de Gray, il-Baruni Giuseppe de Piro, John Baptist Francia, Mary il-Boy ta’ Tas-Sliema, Aldo Gatt Aka Gattaldo, Patist u sħabu tar-Rabat Malta, Rosie ta’ Santa Venera, Mabel Strickland u Alfio Testaferrata Boniċi Għaxaq fost oħrajn.
Il-ktieb jitnieda nhar is-Sibt
Il-ktieb “Queer Mediterranean Memories” se jitnieda nhar is-Sibt li ġej, 20 ta’ Marzu fil-Gallerija Libertà fil-Workers Memorial Building fi Triq in-Nofsinhar il-Belt Valletta. Il-ktieb se jitnieda miċ-Ċerpersin tal-Alternattiva Demokratika, Michael Briguglio. S’issa għadu mhux magħruf jekk il-Prim Ministru Lawrence Gonzi, hux se jattendi għal din l-attività.
Zrajt zerriegha... nixtieq min ikompli fuqha
Fil-kummenti tiegħu lil l-orizzont, Joseph Chetcuti jitkellem dwar ix-xewqat tiegħu għall-futur. “Li nixtieq hu li xi ħadd ikompli fuq dak li bdejt jien. Jien żrajt iż-żerriegħa u nixtieq li oħrajn ikomplu jiktbu. Illum hawn ħafna persuni ‘gay’ li kapaċi jiktbu aktar materjal, biex id-diskussjoni tkompli. Nixtieq ukoll li l-partiti politiċi kollha Maltin, jaħdmu biex il-persuni ‘gay’ f’Malta jkollhom id-drittijiet bażiċi li għandhom sħabhom f’pajjiżi Ewropej.”
Friday, 19 February 2010
Times: Stress on the Pope's teachings
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100217/local/stress-on-the-popes-teachings
A website on the papal visit in Malta, aptly named popemalta.org, was launched yesterday. It updates users on news related to the visit and offers links to pages where people can register for the activities.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
17.2.10
Preparations for Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to Malta are in full swing, as the Church gears up to integrate the run-up to the papal visit with Lent, which starts today.
Various commissions, namely those dealing with youth, children and the laity, will be promoting the Pope and his teachings throughout activities held prior to his visit on April 17 and 18.
Martin Chetcuti, speaking about the activities targeting young people, said the aim was not only to attract practising Catholics but also young people who felt distant from the Church. The activities for young people, the crux of which will be an activity at Valletta Waterfront, are similar to the World Youth Day activities, which are at times criticised for having an element of Pope-worship.
When confronted about such comments and the Church's intention to reach out to people distant from the Church, Fr Savio Vella, the Archbishop's delegate for young people, said the ultimate aim was not to promote the Pope but Jesus.
To this end, the Diocesan Youth Commission will be holding talks at the University, the Junior College and rehabilitation centres where they will be talking to young people about faith-related issues and about the contents of the Pope's teachings. During these talks, free copies of the Pontiff's book, Jesus of Nazareth, will be distributed.
Asked about the Facebook group No to Pope Benedict XVI in Malta, initiated by former Alternattiva Demokratika candidate and gay rights activist Patrick Attard, Fr Vella said that, while they encouraged dialogue with whoever had problems with the Church, the latter would not be taking a militant stance against such initiatives.
Preparations for Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to Malta are in full swing, as the Church gears up to integrate the run-up to the papal visit with Lent, which starts today.
Various commissions, namely those dealing with youth, children and the laity, will be promoting the Pope and his teachings throughout activities held prior to his visit on April 17 and 18.
Martin Chetcuti, speaking about the activities targeting young people, said the aim was not only to attract practising Catholics but also young people who felt distant from the Church. The activities for young people, the crux of which will be an activity at Valletta Waterfront, are similar to the World Youth Day activities, which are at times criticised for having an element of Pope-worship.
When confronted about such comments and the Church's intention to reach out to people distant from the Church, Fr Savio Vella, the Archbishop's delegate for young people, said the ultimate aim was not to promote the Pope but Jesus.
To this end, the Diocesan Youth Commission will be holding talks at the University, the Junior College and rehabilitation centres where they will be talking to young people about faith-related issues and about the contents of the Pope's teachings. During these talks, free copies of the Pontiff's book, Jesus of Nazareth, will be distributed.
Asked about the Facebook group No to Pope Benedict XVI in Malta, initiated by former Alternattiva Demokratika candidate and gay rights activist Patrick Attard, Fr Vella said that, while they encouraged dialogue with whoever had problems with the Church, the latter would not be taking a militant stance against such initiatives.
A website on the papal visit in Malta, aptly named popemalta.org, was launched yesterday. It updates users on news related to the visit and offers links to pages where people can register for the activities.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Friday, 22 January 2010
Times: Gay rights do not harm institution of marriage
Friday, 22nd January 2010 by Patrick Attard Naxxar
Pope Benedict XVI has once again talked about the perils of homosexuality to humanity (timesofmalta.com, January 11) while referring to the introduction of gay marriage in Portugal in the coming months. The Pope will be in Malta in April, for a visit which, according to the Prime Minister's Christmas speech, will unite the whole country. I like to see our polarised country united yet I am not rejoicing at the Pope's visit.
On October 1, 1986, when the Pope (then Josef Ratzinger) was Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith, he sent a letter to all bishops saying that it was understandable that violent crimes against gays increase, if the state awards them more civil rights.
It was equally sad to read some of the posted comments on timesofmalta.com - comments that generally mean that the introduction of gay marriage or civil partnership would bring about the end of the world.
One year on from my excommunication from the Catholic Church, I am even more convinced that gay people have no place in this organisation especially under the current Pope. Archbishop Paul Cremona (The Sunday Times, January 10) doesn't see non-believers or people of a different sexuality as a threat. It's a shame that Mgr Cremona's wise words, compassion and humility as a great bridge-builder, is thwarted by a man who is obsessed about the evils of homosexuality.
The civil rights I am talking about are the right for a man to visit his gay partner in hospital and take medical decisions in case of an emergency. The right to take urgent family-leave from work to take care of a seriously ill partner; the right to take bereavement leave from work when your partner dies; immigration rights for people who want to marry a partner who is not an EU citizen. These rights do not in any way harm the institution of marriage.
I also get the impression that the current Administration is not keen on awarding any rights and maybe they think it's better for gay people to emigrate and go to other European cities.
I think this is a huge mistake and a big loss for Malta not only for the artistic talent but for all other professional areas too. Other countries will take advantage of the excellent Maltese education invested in the gay Maltese population.
I hope that the Prime Minister will one day wake up and listen to the forgotten people and won't see us as a threat to the country. I wish for the dawning of a day when different people of different beliefs and sexual orientations can live in harmony as citizens with equal rights.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Pope Benedict XVI has once again talked about the perils of homosexuality to humanity (timesofmalta.com, January 11) while referring to the introduction of gay marriage in Portugal in the coming months. The Pope will be in Malta in April, for a visit which, according to the Prime Minister's Christmas speech, will unite the whole country. I like to see our polarised country united yet I am not rejoicing at the Pope's visit.
On October 1, 1986, when the Pope (then Josef Ratzinger) was Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith, he sent a letter to all bishops saying that it was understandable that violent crimes against gays increase, if the state awards them more civil rights.
It was equally sad to read some of the posted comments on timesofmalta.com - comments that generally mean that the introduction of gay marriage or civil partnership would bring about the end of the world.
One year on from my excommunication from the Catholic Church, I am even more convinced that gay people have no place in this organisation especially under the current Pope. Archbishop Paul Cremona (The Sunday Times, January 10) doesn't see non-believers or people of a different sexuality as a threat. It's a shame that Mgr Cremona's wise words, compassion and humility as a great bridge-builder, is thwarted by a man who is obsessed about the evils of homosexuality.
The civil rights I am talking about are the right for a man to visit his gay partner in hospital and take medical decisions in case of an emergency. The right to take urgent family-leave from work to take care of a seriously ill partner; the right to take bereavement leave from work when your partner dies; immigration rights for people who want to marry a partner who is not an EU citizen. These rights do not in any way harm the institution of marriage.
I also get the impression that the current Administration is not keen on awarding any rights and maybe they think it's better for gay people to emigrate and go to other European cities.
I think this is a huge mistake and a big loss for Malta not only for the artistic talent but for all other professional areas too. Other countries will take advantage of the excellent Maltese education invested in the gay Maltese population.
I hope that the Prime Minister will one day wake up and listen to the forgotten people and won't see us as a threat to the country. I wish for the dawning of a day when different people of different beliefs and sexual orientations can live in harmony as citizens with equal rights.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Happy Christmas to all the Readers of this blog
Hello All,
I would like to thank the regular readers of this website. http://patrickattard.blogspot.com has been created in February 2008 and now has now just over 900 articles and counting.
Christmas is a time to be with our loved ones, family and closest friends, and this is what we aim for, to have our love respected by our fellow citizens and recognised by the State because there is nothing wrong in gay love and we don't harm anyone.
I hope you enjoy the video below with a nice message against homophobia.
Have a nice Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.
Dr Patrick Attard
I would like to thank the regular readers of this website. http://patrickattard.blogspot.com has been created in February 2008 and now has now just over 900 articles and counting.
During this period over 24,000 people from 138 countries visited this website and their average stay was over 3 and a half minutes. I would like to thank you all for your loyalty and feedback.
Christmas is a time to be with our loved ones, family and closest friends, and this is what we aim for, to have our love respected by our fellow citizens and recognised by the State because there is nothing wrong in gay love and we don't harm anyone.
I want to live in a society where people of different beliefs can live side by side in harmony without one group spreading hatred against another. I don't think we're asking too much.
I hope you enjoy the video below with a nice message against homophobia.
Have a nice Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.
Dr Patrick Attard
---
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOzLESxchz0
Sensitif présente ses voeux 2010 en relayant le message de KISS-IN contre l'homophobie (voir leur site http://kiss-in.blogspot.com pour plus d'info) ... ce montage est rythmé sur la chanson de Thomas Anders ...
with images of the Parisian KISS-IN event (Decembre 12th 2009) Sensitif and myself are wishing you all a merry Xmas and a happy kiss full 2010 ...
YouTube: Voeux de Noël 2009 - Sensitif
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOzLESxchz0
Sensitif présente ses voeux 2010 en relayant le message de KISS-IN contre l'homophobie (voir leur site http://kiss-in.blogspot.com pour plus d'info) ... ce montage est rythmé sur la chanson de Thomas Anders ...
with images of the Parisian KISS-IN event (Decembre 12th 2009) Sensitif and myself are wishing you all a merry Xmas and a happy kiss full 2010 ...
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Times: Apology due to gay, lesbian community
Tuesday, 24th November 2009 by Patrick Attard, Naxxar
I was shocked to read (November 19) that the Muslim leader in Malta, Imam Mohamed El Sadi, attributes the wrath of God in the world to the acceptance of gay people. It is not the first time natural disasters are attributed to the increasing acceptance of gay people as was the tsunami which hit Thailand in 2004, which was called God's punishment for homosexuality by some Muslim leaders.
I would like to ask the Imam if he agrees with the ritual murder or execution of gays in the Muslim world - for example, the public hanging of gay teenagers Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni in Iran in 2005. I also would like to ask if he is suggesting that people who are gay should be executed in Malta.
The Imam should be grateful to the 15,000 to 30,000 Maltese gay and lesbian taxpayers who help fund the search-and-rescue, shelter and distributed food to his Muslim brothers and sisters who are fleeing hardship and war from their own Muslim country.
The Imam should issue a clear apology to all Maltese and Gozitan gays and lesbians. The Imam explicitly delivered a message Josef Ratzinger has been hiding in euphemisms for over 23 years.
I hope that the Criminal Code (82A) will be soon amended to include sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of groups against which the incitement of hatred is punishable.
I hope that both Alternattiva Demokratika, which boasts that it doesn't only give lip service to the gay minority, and the new Labour LGBT network, which is now facing its first test, will stand up for the people they represent.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
I was shocked to read (November 19) that the Muslim leader in Malta, Imam Mohamed El Sadi, attributes the wrath of God in the world to the acceptance of gay people. It is not the first time natural disasters are attributed to the increasing acceptance of gay people as was the tsunami which hit Thailand in 2004, which was called God's punishment for homosexuality by some Muslim leaders.
I would like to ask the Imam if he agrees with the ritual murder or execution of gays in the Muslim world - for example, the public hanging of gay teenagers Mahmoud Asgari and Ayaz Marhoni in Iran in 2005. I also would like to ask if he is suggesting that people who are gay should be executed in Malta.
The Imam should be grateful to the 15,000 to 30,000 Maltese gay and lesbian taxpayers who help fund the search-and-rescue, shelter and distributed food to his Muslim brothers and sisters who are fleeing hardship and war from their own Muslim country.
The Imam should issue a clear apology to all Maltese and Gozitan gays and lesbians. The Imam explicitly delivered a message Josef Ratzinger has been hiding in euphemisms for over 23 years.
I hope that the Criminal Code (82A) will be soon amended to include sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of groups against which the incitement of hatred is punishable.
I hope that both Alternattiva Demokratika, which boasts that it doesn't only give lip service to the gay minority, and the new Labour LGBT network, which is now facing its first test, will stand up for the people they represent.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
---
Note: AD issued a press-release which was published one day before this letter:
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