Interview with Illum

http://www.illum.com.mt/2008/02/10/interview.html

Aħbarijiet | 10 ta’ Frar 2008 Nr 67

L-ewwel kandidat dikjarat gay

Julia Farrugia tintervista lil Patrick Attard

Il-karti tiegħu huma kollha fuq il-mejda, anke jekk għal xi wħud huma suġġetti ta’ tabù.
Patrick Attard hu wieħed mill-uċuh ġodda f’din l-elezzjoni ġenerali. Imma mhux biss.
Għall-ewwel darba se jkun hemm kandidat li fil-beraħ qed jiddikjara li hu gay.
Attard għandu 28 sena, hu inġinier u għandu dottorat fis-suġġett. F’din l-elezzjoni se jikkontesta fuq il-Ħames u t-Tnax-il distrett f’isem l-Alternattiva Demokratika.
Anke jekk f’ħafna mill-waqtiet hu bniedem b’bixra ta’ ġwejjed, xi kultant dan iż-żgħażugħ ifaqqa’ dawk l-argumenti li joffru għadma għall-avversarji.
“Lawrence Gonzi fil-billboards qed jgħidilna ‘Flimkien Kollox Possibbli’. Imma lil Gonzi ma tarahx ma’ xi koppja gay jew ma’ xi koppja li għaddejja minn separazzjoni. Jiġifieri eluf kbar ta’ nies diġà huma minsijin,” jargumenta.
“Spiċċatli l-ammirazzjoni li kelli lejn iż-żewġ membri Parlamentari Nazzjonalisti Ewropej. Kont nammira ħafna lil David Casa u Simon Busuttil kien prattikament l-eroj tiegħi. Imma issa din l-ammirazzjoni lejhom spiċċat. Simon Busuttil f’April ta’ l-2007 ipprova jneħħi riżoluzzjoni fuq l-omofobija u David Casa ivvota kontra riżoluzzjoni li tikkundanna l-qtil u l-vjolenza fuq il-gays. Dawn affarijiet ma jitwemmnux meta mbagħad jirriżulta li Casa jmur f’gay bars. Casa jgħid li jmur f’dawn il-bars fuq attivitajiet politiċi imma nistaqsi: liema grupp ta’ drittijiet tal-gays jistiednu lil xi ħadd bi track record li ma jikkundannax il-qtil tal-gays?” jinsisti Attard.
Il-kandidat isostni li f’Malta hawn mal-15,000 votant li huma LGBT (lesbjani, gays, bisesswali jew transesswali) u magħhom hemm ukoll eluf ta’ persuni oħra li isseparaw u jħossuhom imwarrba mill-partiti l-kbar.
“Din tad-divorzju hi kwistjoni oħra,” jgħid Attard.
Jgħaddi xi ħadd u jsellem lill-inġinier. Jieqaf għal ftit imbagħad jgħidli: “Jien nifhem il-gaġġa ta’ Frans Sammut.”
Nistaqsieh għaliex?
“L-istudji juru li biex ekonomja taħdem u tirnexxi hemm it-tliet Ts. Dawn huma t-talent, it-teknoloġija u t-tolleranza,” jispjega Attard.
“Aktar mas-soċjetà tkun miftuħa aktar in-nies ikunu komdi u joħorġu l-aħjar tagħhom. L-Alternattiva Demokratika hu l-uniku partit li mhux qed jgħaddi lil dawn il-persuni biż-żmien. Aħna mhux qed induru mal-lewża kif qed jagħmlu l-partiti l-kbar.”
Hawn il-vleġġa ddur fuq il-Partit Laburista.
“Id-dokument fuq il-familja li ippreżenta s-sena l-oħra l-MLP hu ambigwu. Jien ma fhimtux. U dan minbarra l-fatt li fil-Partit Laburista għandek nies bħal Adrian Vassallo li veru huma konservattivi,” jinsisti Attard.
Dan il-kumment jgħaddih fid-dawl tal-fatt li waqt il-programm Xarabank kien wera l-fehma tiegħu mhux wisq favur il-persuni gay.
“U l-Azzjoni Nazzjonali ta’ Josie Muscat huma kontra l-komunità tal-gays. Imma ta’ l-inqas dawn huma ċari. Tkun taf fejn int magħhom,” ikompli l-kandidat ta’ l-Alternattiva Demokratika.
Nistaqsieh jekk allura jippreferix lill-AN mill-partiti l-kbar.
“Żgur li le. Ma jogħġbunix l-argumenti ta’ l-Azzjoni Nazzjonali speċjalment l-artikli li jtellgħu fl-internet dwar il-politika barranija.”
Iżda x’kien il-fattur li ġibed lill-inġinier lejn l-Alternattiva Demokratika?
“Bejn l-2003 u l-2005 kont fil-Kumitat tal-Gaypride ta’ Stuttgard fil-Ġermanja. Kien f’dan il-pajjiż li jien studjajt u ġibt id-dottorat. Imbagħad lura Malta fl-2007 kont membru tal-Kumitat tal-Malta Gay Rights Movement u wieħed mill-organizzaturi tal-Gay Pride ta’ Malta.
“Dakinhar kien ġie Harry Vassallo, Chairperson ta’ l-Alternattiva, u għamel diskors. Li jiġi Kap ta’ partit għalija kienet sinċerament impressjonanti. Sa dak iż-żmien ma kontx naf wisq fuq l-AD. Bdejt naqra u nara x’qed joffru bħala partit u għoġobni. Urejt l-interess li nagħti sehmi fl-Alternattiva Demokratika u aċċettawni,” fisser Attard.
Imma ma jiddejjaqx li se joħroġ ma’ partit li ilu 18-il sena jipprova jtella’ siġġu fil-Parlament?
“Le, lanqas xejn għax jien naqbel mija fil-mija mal-prinċipji ta’ l-Alternattiva Demokratika.
“Jien bniedem riżervat. Jekk nitilfu dan iċ-ċans, iċ-ċans li jmiss ikun ħames snin oħra. Din hi l-motivazzjoni tiegħi.”
Meta tiltaqa’ wiċċ’imbwiċċ ma’ dan il-kandidat tħoss forsi xi ftit mistħija li wieħed jista’ jattribwiha għal dan il-fattur ta’ riżerva. Imma fuq punt partikolari l-inġinier waqt l-intervista joħroġ b’ċerta saħħa li tista’ ssarraf ta’ theddida għaż-żewġ partiti l-kbar speċjalment fuq it-tema tal-gays.
“Jien nifhem li hemm persuni li huma akkaniti għall-Partit Laburista jew għall-Partit Nazzjonalista. L-Alternattiva Demokratika qed tgħid li fl-elezzjoni ġenerali anke n-numru 2 hu importanti għalina.”
X’inhi l-fehma tiegħu dwar il-fatt li hawn ħafna nies fil-politika, preżentaturi u kantanti li huma gay imma bħal donnhom jibżgħu juru li huma hekk meta bil-kariga tagħhom jistgħu jgħinu f’din il-kwistjoni? Hi ipokrezija din?
“Għandek punt. Imma preżentatur, kantant, hairdresser jista’ jitlef minn negozju tiegħu. Nifhimhom. Imma tista’ tirbaħ ukoll u dan hu fatt. Hi sikkina taqta’ miż-żewġ naħat. Jien nixtieq naslu f’punt li ma jkolli qatt għalfejn nikteb li jien gay,” isostni.
Mistoqsi jekk hix biss it-tema tal-gays li tgħaqqdu ma’ l-AD l-inġinier iwieġeb li le u jelenka numru ta’ prinċipji fosthom “il-liġi nġusta tal-kera.”
“L-Alternattiva Demokratika kontra l-abort u kontra l-qtil tal-għasafar. Dawn huma kollha fatturi li ġibduni lejn dan il-partit,” iwieġeb Attard.
Għall-mistoqsija ta’ x’inhuma fil-fehma tiegħu t-temi ewlenin li se jrebbħu jew itellfu lill-partit fil-Gvern, il-kandidat ta’ l-AD isostni hekk: “Ma rajt l-ebda kwistjoni partikolari.”
Lanqas pereżempju l-kwistjoni tad-dawl u l-ilma? Is-surcharge ma naffritx kemm Laburisti kif ukoll Nazzjonalisti?
“Ħa nkellmek bħala inġinier issa u mhux bħala kandidat. 40 fil-mija ta’ l-enerġija tinħela biex insaħħnu l-ilma. Jien naħseb li bir-rata li mexjin biha għad fadlilna xi 40 sena biex kull dar f’Malta jkollha s-solar water heaters,” jispjega Attard.
“Hemm bżonn inċentivi biex aktar nies jixtru s-solar heaters. Kieku jien indaħħal dan l-inċentiv: il-Gvern jagħtik l-apparat b’xejn. Imbagħad int tintrabat miegħu li sakemm tifdieh tħallas pereżempju €25 fix-xahar.”
Fuq temi ambjentali jsemmi punti oħra fosthom il-ħtieġa li dan il-pajjiż jindirizza darba għal dejjem il-problema tat-trasport.
“Ħafna jmorru għax-xogħol waħedhom. Irid ikun hemm inċentivi fuq muturi. L-ewwel iżda t-toroq għandhom ikunu rranġati biex ineħħu l-periklu għas-sewwieqa. Imbagħad għandu jkun hemm tnaqqis fit-taxxa tar-reġistrazzjoni,” ikompli Attard.
Bi żball indur f’daqqa u jirnexxieli naqleb it-tazza, flixkun u xi ħaġa oħra minn fuq il-mejda. Bix-xorti kienu vojta għax diġà kont qed nimmaġina x’impressjoni tajba seta’ ħa dan il-kandidat fl-ewwel intervista li se tberiklu l-karriera politika tiegħu.
Lura għall-argumenti politiċi.
“Il-poplu mexa ħafna f’dawn l-aħħar ħames snin imma l-politikanti għadhom lura,” jargumenta ż-żgħażugħ.
“L-Alternattiva Demokratika hi l-uniku partit sekulari u fuq dan żgur li hi l-uniku partit alternattiv li jieħu ħsieb temi li l-partiti l-oħra dejjem beżgħu imissu magħhom.”

Paper for the Meeting with HE Archbishop Paul Cremona

MALTA GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT

P O S I T I O N P A P E R

for the Audience with

His Excellency Monsignor Paul Cremona O.P., Archbishop of Malta

to be held on the 15th May 2007 at the Curia, Floriana

compiled by

Dr. Ing. Patrick Attard, Gabi Calleja, Marisa Xuereb

Introduction

The Malta Gay Rights’ Movement (MGRM) was founded in 2001. It is a socio-political non-governmental organisation which has as its central focus the challenges and rights of the Maltese Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. It aims to prevent acts of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; to act as a lobby group promoting legislative changes to achieve equality for LGBT individuals within society and to provide support services for LGBT individuals, their families and friends [1]. These include: to fight homophobia and heterosexism, lobby for the legal recognition of same-sex couples, access to free health care for transsexuals wishing to undertake hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery, and rights related to the parenting of children.

The MGRM which represents these minority groups, understands the influence the Catholic Church has in Malta and seeks to minimise the negative effects that religious teachings and beliefs could have on them, their families, workmates, or their citizens. The MGRM encourages the right to freedom of religion of all citizens but stands for a clear separation between Church and State that respects citizens of all beliefs and none.

Gay Affirmative Practice

The MGRM adopts a gay affirmative approach that values homosexuality, bisexuality and heterosexuality equally as natural and normal attributes. Gay affirmative practitioners are those whose beliefs and values appreciate homosexuality and bisexuality as valid and rich orientations in their own right, and who perceive homophobia, not diverse sexualities, as pathological.

Homophobia

The fear of homosexuals, or the fear that one might be a homosexual could lead to profound negative effects on people who are openly gay. The Catholic Church through its writings describes homosexuality as "a social and moral phenomenon which is leading to much concern and trouble" [2]. Moreover homosexual acts are defined as evil [3]. The homosexual inclination is defined as "objectively disordered"[3], [4] and homosexual practices as "sins gravely contrary to chastity" [3], [5]. Further more,

“Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered’. They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved” [2], [3], [6].

These declarations, in our view, are homophobic in nature and promote homophobia among Catholics. Such teachings can lead to ignorance, intolerance and hatred. Negative effects range from an increased difficulty in LGB individuals acknowledging their diverse sexual orientation, negative reactions from parents and siblings, and bullying, to verbal and physical abuse, homelessness, violent hate crimes at school or work, and suicide. Homophobic bullying has recently led to the death of a 16 year old in Torino, who jumped out of the fourth floor window [7]. Any form of bullying must not be tolerated. Even though schools generally have anti-bullying policies... few have any clauses on homophobic bullying, and educators have a hard time to deal with it because there are no strong signals coming from the higher echelons telling them that it is necessary to combat it. As a result, the victim is even more left to his or her own devices and usually suffers [8], [9].

The American Psychiatric Association, in 1952 listed homosexuality as a mental disorder in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [10], [11]. However, subsequent studies at the National (American) Institute of Health failed to provide any empirical or scientific basis for regarding homosexuality as a disorder or abnormality rather than a normal and healthy sexual orientation [10], [12], [13], [14], [15]. It was thus concluded that the classification of homosexuality as a disorder was incorrect and that it reflected untested assumptions based on prevalent social norms. In recognition of the scientific evidence, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973 [16]. The American Psychological Association adopted the same position in 1975, after a thorough review of the scientific data [17]. It is therefore not acceptable to the MGRM for anyone to imply that homosexuality is a disorder and any such statements go against the major professional bodies in the Western world.

Civil Same-Sex Marriage

The Vatican states that

“In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty. One must refrain from any kind of formal cooperation in the enactment or application of such gravely unjust laws and, as far as possible, from material cooperation on the level of their application. In this area, everyone can exercise the right to conscientious objection.” [3].

A study by the American Psychological Association concluded that “Homosexual partnerships appear no more vulnerable to problems and dissatisfactions than their heterosexual counterparts”.[18], [19]. Homosexual couples can form deep emotional attachments and commitments like their heterosexual counterparts [19].

Marriage is a social institution which has a profound effect on the lives of the individuals who inhabit it [10]. The health benefits of legal marriage are dramatically evident on the occasion of traumatic events, such as serious illness, or death of a partner. Experiencing such events is highly stressful [20], [21]. The death of a partner in particular often has negative consequences for the surviving partner's psychological and physical health [22], [23]. The stress in these circumstances can be mitigated by the legal benefits associated with civil marriage, e.g. to be in a position to make health-related decisions for the ill partner and be allowed access to the hospital emergency room. Some of the stress endured by a partner's death can be alleviated by automatic rights of inheritance, bereavement leave and to be allowed to make funeral arrangements [24]. Any barriers with these issues are likely to add a layer of psychological trauma on the surviving partner, with potentially long-term mental health problems [10], [25].

“Moreover, the essence of sexual orientation is its definition of the universe of persons with whom an individual might potentially form a romantic or sexual relationship. Thus, by denying same-sex couples the right to marry - and thereby devaluing and delegitimizing the relationships that are the very core of a homosexual orientation, the State compounds and perpetuates the stigma historically attached to homosexuality. This stigma affects not only the members of same-sex couples who seek to be married, but all homosexual persons, regardless of their relationship status or desire to marry” [10].

“Stigma gives rise to prejudice, discrimination and violence against people based on their sexual orientation [26]. Research indicates that the experience of stigma and discrimination is associated with heightened psychological distress among gay men and lesbians [27]. Being the target of extreme enactments of stigma, such as an antigay criminal assault, is associated with greater psychological distress than experiencing a similar crime not based on one’s sexual orientation”[28].

“Thus, by denying same-sex couples the right to marry legally, the State compounds and perpetuates the stigma historically attached to homosexuality” [10].

Parenting of Children

The Vatican states that

“as experience has shown, the absence of sexual complementarity in [homosexual] unions creates obstacles in the normal development of children who would be placed in the care of such persons. They would be deprived of the experience of either fatherhood or motherhood. Allowing children to be adopted by persons living in such unions would actually mean doing violence to these children, in the sense that their condition of dependency would be used to place them in an environment that is not conducive to their full human development. This is gravely immoral and in open contradiction to the principle, recognized also in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, that the best interests of the child, as the weaker and more vulnerable party, are to be the paramount consideration in every case” [3].

The American Psychological Association states that “homosexuals have the capacity to form healthy and mutually satisfying relationships with another person of the same sex and to raise healthy and well-adjusted children” [10]. The United States of America 2000 Census found that among head of households who reported cohabiting with a same sex-partner, 33% of the women and 22% of men had a son or daughter under 18 years living in their home [29]. Research does not support the assertions that heterosexual couples are inherently better parents than same-sex couples [30], [31], [32], [33]. Nor does empirical research support the misconceptions that having a homosexual parent has an effect on the child’s gender identity development [10]. A study by the American Academy of Paediatrics concluded that none of 300 children studied have shown evidence of gender identity confusion, wished to be the other sex, or consistently engaged in cross-gender behaviour [31].

Allowing same-sex couples to marry will benefit the children living in these households. Once again such legal clarity is important in times of crisis, like illness of the child, school emergencies and medical emergencies involving a parent [10]. Children also benefit from greater stability and security and living without the stigma associated with the children’s status, e.g. illegitimacy or bastardy [34].

Conclusion

The Church with its indirect influence has caused a lot of suffering in the past in families with homosexual or transsexual members, compounded with the fact that being a small island, families are also afraid of rumours in the neighbourhood, and try to hide the actual situation, possibly causing more suffering to the individual.

Malta is a country, where a vast majority of its population are Roman Catholics, and the Church is an integral part of our culture. We understand the influence the Church has on the Maltese community. The church does not support any sexual relationship which does not allow for the possibility of having children, like oral sex, the use of condoms, masturbation and sexual relationships between two persons of the same sex. The MGRM is not asking the Church to review its teachings, , nor is it seeking religious marriage for same sex couples. It does however expect the Catholic Church to be careful not to create additional suffering in families with homosexual persons. We would like the Church to focus more on core values based on love and compassion than judging this minority group for choosing to express their identity and to seek fulfillment in loving relationships that are also recognized and valued by the State.. This would also be more in line with Christ’s own teachings. Christ preached about goodness, respect, acceptance and positive values. He did not condemn anybody. He told us what to do - love one another - as opposed to giving us a list of things we should not do. Christ founded the Church to spread his message of love and respect, not to revert back to the judgmental attitudes prevalent in the Old Testament.

References

[1] Malta Gay Rights Movement website: www.maltagayrights.org

[2] "Maltese Bishops' Statement - The Phenomenon of Homosexuality", Curia Press Release, 25 November 2005.

[3] "Congregration for the Doctrine of Faith: Considerations regarding proposals to give legal recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons", Vatican City, The Sovereign Pontiff John Paul II, in the Audience of March 28, 2003.

[4] Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2358.

[5] Ibid., No. 2396.

[6] Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2357.

[7] "Sedicenne si uccide, dicevano che era gay La madre: Perché lo hanno trattato così?", La Repubblica, 5 April 2007. http://www.repubblica.it/2007/04/sezioni/cronaca/sedicenne-suicida/sedicenne-suicida/sedicenne-suicida.html

[8] “Tackling Homophobic Bullying – A matter of social inclusion”, International Lesbian Gay (ILGA) Association, Europe. http://www.iglyo.com/content/files/Factsheet_on_Homophobic_Bullying.pdf

[9] International Gay Lesbian Youth Association website http://www.iglyo.com/content/activities/EPdeclaration.html

[10] “Amicus Curiae Brief of American Psychological Association”, Supreme Court of the State of Washington, Heather Anderson and Leslie Christian et al., vs State of Washington, 75934-1. 4February 2005.

[11] “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders xxxi”American Psychiatric Association, 4th Edition 2001.

[12] Evelyn Hooker, “The Adjustment of the Male Overt Homosexual”, 21 Journal Projective Techniques 17, 1957.

[13] J.C. Gonsiorek, “Results of Psychological Testing on Homosexual Populations”, 25 American Behavioural Science 385, 1982.

[14] B.F. Reiss, “Psychological Tests in Homosexuality, in homosexual Behaviour: A Modern Reappraisal”, Journal Marmor Edition, 1980.

[15] M. Hart et al., “Psychological Adjustment of Nonpatient Homosexuals: Critical Review of the research Literature”, 39 Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 604, 1978.

[16] “Position Statement on Homosexuality and Civil Rights”, American Psychiatric Association, 131 American Journal of Psychiatry, 1974.

[17] “Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council of Representatives”, American Psychological Association, 20 American Psychologist 620, 633, 1975.

[18] L.A. Peplau, “Lesbian and Gay relationships, in Homosexuality: Implications for Public Policy”, 195, J.C. Gonsiorek Edition, 1991.

[19] L.A. Kurdek, “Are Gay and Lesbian Cohabitating Couples Really Different from Heterosexual Married Couples?”, 66th Journal Marriage and Family 880, 2004.

[20] W.R. Grove et al., “The Effect of Marriage on the Well-Being of Adults: A Theoretical Analysis”, 11th Journal on Family Issues 4, 12, 1990.

[21] T.H. Holmes, R.H. Rahe, “The Social Readjustment Rating Scale”, 11th Journal Psychosomatic Res. 213, 1967.

[22] W. Stroebe, “Bereavement and Health: The Psychological and Physical Consequences of Partner Loss”, 167 1987.

[23] C.E. Ross, “Reconceptualizing Marital Status as a Continuum of Social Attachment”, 57th Journal on Marriage and Family 129, 1995.

[24] T.A. Richards et al., “Death Rites in the San Francisco Gay Community: Cultural Developments of the AIDS Epidemic”, 40 Omega: journal on Death and Dying 335, 1999-2000.

[25] R.S. Weiss , T.A. Richards, “A Scale for Predicting Quality of recovery Following the Death of a Partner”, 72nd Journal on Personality and Social Psychology, 885, 889-890, 1997.

[26] K. Sherill, A.S. Yang, “From Outlaws to In-Laws: Anti-Gay Attitudes Thaw”, 11Publ. Persp. 20, 2000.

[27] I.H. Meyer, “Prejudice, Social Stress and Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Populations: Conceptual Issues and Research Evidence”, 129 Psychology Bulletin, 674, 690, 2003.

[28] G.M. Herek et al., “Psychological Sequelae of Hate-Crime Victimization Among Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adults”, 67 Journal Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 945, 048, 949, 1999.

[29] T. Simmons, M. O’Connell, “Married-Couple and Unmarried-Partner Households: 2000”, U.S. Census Bureau 2003.

[30] J. Stacey, TJ, Biblarz, “How Does the Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter?”, 66 American Society rev. 159, 2001.

[31] E.C. Perrin and Committee on Psychological Apects of Child and Family Health, “Technical Report: Coparent or Second Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents”, 109 Pediatrics 342, 2002.

[32] E.C. Perrin, “Sexual Orientation in Child and Adult Health Care”, 2002.

[33] C.J. Patterson, “Family Relationships of Lesbian and Gay Men”, 62 Journal Marriage and Family 1052, 2000.

[34] National Association of Social Workers, “Policy Statement: Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues, in Social World Speaks”, 193, 194, 1997.

Selected News Articles 2003 - 2007 (Global Gays - Malta)

http://www.globalgayz.com/country/Malta/view/MLT/gay-malta-news-and-reports#article2
Global Gays
January 21, 2003 - Malta Media News
1
New premises for Malta Gay Rights Movement
The Malta Gay Rights Movement, an active socio-political, non-profit making, movement with the challenges and rights of the local gay and lesbian communit at its central focus, has finally acquired its own premises in Mosta. MGRM said these premises will serve as a base for the coordination of our educational, political lobbying and support initiatives. Their acquisition has also made it possible for us to start translating our dream of setting up a professional national gay helpline and a number of support groups into a concrete reality.
Since it was set up in June 2001, the MGRM has worked incessantly to alleviate the silent suffering of thousands of young gay men and lesbians, to promote anti-discrimination legislation, to challenge antiquated misconceptions on homosexuality, and to build a gay-straight alliance, to instill more unity and a sense of identity among the local gay community. It has also made its presence felt on the continent, through its affiliation in the International Lesbian and Gay Association and its participation in several regional conferences.
In all its endeavours, the MGRM does not receive any funds whatsoever from the Community Chest Fund, L-Istrina, or from fund-raising marathons organised by the political parties. That's because it says it has to turn to personal pockets and to the generosity of all those who believe that our society can only benefit through the celebration of the diversity that exists within it. MGRM said it needs help to start furnishing the place. Any loose furniture, carpets, stationery items, paper, a fax machine, maybe a computer which supports Internet. .
MGRM can be contacted on mgrm@maltamedia.com or on 9925 5559.

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February 16, 2003 - The Malta Independent, St Julians, Malta
2
Gay Rights Movement deplores billboard at Naxxar MLP Club
by Massimo FarrugiaThe Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) has criticised a billboard hung outside the Malta Labour Party club in Naxxar. The billboard reads "The European Union believes in abortion, euthanasia and same sex marriage." The movement said it is unfair to use gay rights as an argument against Malta's accession to the European Union. The Gay Rights Movement said the poster in question unjustly associated gay rights with the fundamental human right to life when it put the same-sex marriage issue on the same level as abortion and euthanasia. The billboard, which was not even written in correct Maltese, was removed yesterday afternoon after the central administration of the Labour Party was informed about the content of the billboard.
The European Union is the most progressive organisation as far as human rights and minority rights go, the MGRM said. However, it is not true that the European Union obliges its members to legalise same-sex marriages. The EU obliges Member States to remove discriminatory laws regarding a person's sexual orientations. In this regard, the MGRM also criticised the Maltese government for having failed to make the necessary legal amendments against sexual discrimination at workplaces.

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12 May 2003 - The Independent, St Julians, Malta
3
Seminar on gay rights in EU accession countries
Malta Gay Rights Movement Coordinator Sandro Mangion and International Officer Christian Attard have participated in a seminar on gay and lesbian rights in EU accession countries, which was held in Brussels. Representatives from Malta, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic exchanged information and views at the seminar, at which representatives of the European Parliament, the International Lesbian and Gay Association's European branch (ILGA-Europe, of which the MGRM is an active member) were also present.
The Maltese representatives raised the issue of the inadequate implementation of EU Directive 2000/78 EC in Malta. This directive requires that national legislation be put in place with a view to eliminating discrimination and harassment at the workplace on the grounds of sexual orientation. So far, the Maltese government has shown itself unwilling to adequately implement this directive, in spite of clear statements from the European Commission that it is an integral part of the acquis communautaire and consequently must be implemented prior to accession. The seminar was organised by the Belgian Lesbian and Gay Movement as part of their annual Rainbow Week, the climax of which was the Belgian Pride.
Mr Mangion and Mr Attard represented Malta at this event, which drew around 10,000 participants.

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April 5, 2003 - Malta Media
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Gay Rights Movement reacts to parties' proposals
The Malta Gay Rights Movement thanked the Malta Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika for including its proposals in their electoral programmes. MGRM however showed its dismay at the fact that the Nationalist Party declined to meet Movement's officials because "the time is not yet ripe for such a meeting according to the PN". The Movement also noted that the PN manifesto is vague in its proposals and makes no reference in safeguarding the rights of minorities.

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22 May, 2003 - Malta Media
5
AD (Green Party) calls for full implimenetation of EU anti-discrimination directive
Alternattiva Demokratika-The Green Party is calling on the government to fully implement EU Directive 2000/78 EC. This directive requires that national legislation be put in place with a view to eliminating discrimination and harassment at the workplace on the grounds of sexual orientation. The Green Party's spokesperson for civil rights James Debono expressed AD's support for the Malta Gay Rights Movement which is calling for the full implementation of this EU directive and said, "Maltese Gays and lesbians should be fully protected from discrimination and harassment at the workplace. One of the major reasons why AD supports EU membership is the strengthening of civil rights in Malta. Maltese citizens should enjoy the same civil rights enjoyed by other European Union citizens. AD wants Malta to be really European and modern".
Debono added "it is a shame that the government is unwilling to adequately implement this directive, in spite of clear statements from the European Commission that it is an integral part of the aquis communautaire and therefore it be implemented prior to accession".

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May 11, 2003 - The Independent, St Julians, Malta
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EU presses government to outlaw discrimination against gays
by Karl SchembriThe EU Commission is pressing the government to ban discrimination at the place of work on the grounds of sexual orientation in line with union directives. Although Maltese labour laws ban discrimination in principle, EU Council Directive 2000/78/EC identifies gays and lesbians as being at a higher risk of being discriminated against in the work place and grants them special protection. The same directive prohibits discrimination on grounds of age, disability, race, and religion or belief.
"I confirm there is a need to have all grounds covered by the directive to be spelt out specifically in Maltese law," said the head of the European Commission Employment and Social Affairs Directorate General, Odile Quintin, last Thursday. This means that Maltese law should specifically ban discrimination and harassment at the place of work directed at gays and lesbians.
Moreover, the directive refers to trade unions and professional associations, obliging them not to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Ms Quintin was in Malta last week to review the progress made by the Maltese government in adopting the social and employment regulations of the EU prior to accession. In a joint press conference held last Thursday together with Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Ms Quintin made it clear that the Commission expected the Maltese government to adopt the EU directive in its entirety.
But the Maltese government is refusing to adopt the full directive, arguing that existing legislation is enough to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians at the place of work. "All forms of discrimination, including discrimination based on sexual orientation or on age, ethnic origin or racial grounds are illegal and the interpretation given by the Attorney General of the law that has been passed in Parliament is that the clause as drafted covers all these areas," Dr Gonzi said. "The issue that has been discussed is whether we need to mention these areas specifically.
The opinion of legal experts given to us here in Malta is that we do not need to be specific, the clause mentions some areas as examples but it does not exclude all the other areas. We've agreed to go into this issue and get the legal advice more substantiated so that everybody can be sure that the judgements given by our Constitutional Court in previous cases substantiate this interpretation." Ms Quintin insisted: "For me it's legal certainty. As the directive is spelling out a series of grounds, we feel that these grounds have to be very clearly specified in Maltese laws."
The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) has been lobbying for the last year and a half to get labour laws amended in line with EU directives. The movement points at the Employment and Industrial Relations Act and the Equality Between Men and Women Act, enacted in Parliament over the last six months: both of them fail to adopt the EU directive. Discrimination and harassment at work on grounds of sexual orientation is a hidden problem, claims MGRM. According to a survey it conducted last year, 40 per cent of gay and lesbian respondents said they were harassed at work, while many others were ashamed to speak out about discrimination. EU legislation would shift the burden of proof on the employers.
In other words, in proceedings for breaches of the principle of equal treatment which are not criminal in nature, once it is established there is evidence that such breach did take place, it is up to the employer to prove that no discrimination took place. MGRM brought up the issue in a seminar on gay and lesbian rights in EU accession countries held in Brussels earlier this month. "The Maltese government has shown itself to be unwilling to adequately implement this directive, in spite of clear statements from the European Commission that it is an integral part of the acquis communautaire," said MGRM international secretary Christian Attard. "Consequently, it must be implemented prior to accession."

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June 29, 2003 - The Malta Independent, St Julians, Malta
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Gays urge government to implement EU directive
by Daniela Xuereb
The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) has urged the government to implement the EU Employment Equality Directive 2000/78/EC which among other principles lists that of equal treatment in employment and training irrespective of religion, belief, sexual orientation and age. Speaking at a press conference yesterday at St James Cavalier, the Centre for Creativity, to mark the launch of MGRM's DiversCity Week of activities next month, Sandro Mangion, the organisation's co-ordinator said the MGRM will insist on the EU directive being implemented in Malta. The European Commission for Employment and Social Affairs recently launched a massive EU anti-discrimination campaign which could end up an embarrassing exercise for the Maltese government unless it adopts fair treatment laws by next year.
The campaign is mainly meant to put pressure on European governments to implement two important EU equality directives. These are the Racial Equality Directive and the Employment Equality Directive. On both counts the Maltese government is still lagging behind, according to the Commission. The directive contains definitions of direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and it also shifts the burden of proof between the complainant and the perpetrator in civil and administrative cases.
But the Maltese government is refusing to adopt the full directive, arguing that existing legislation is enough to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians at the place of work. "This year's theme for the DiversCity Week 2003 is 'Out and Proud'. Many gay persons live a life of solitude because they are ashamed to 'come out,'" said Mr Mangion. "We want a community which appreciates the value of diversity."
For the past two years the MGRM have fought for gay rights and last year released results of a study carried out among the gay community in Malta. Results indicated that 50 per cent of respondents reported they had been harassed at some point in their life because they were gay. Others, around 11 per cent, were subjected to violence. In order to help gay persons accept their situation the MGRM will soon launch a help line. "Many gay people suffer immense loneliness particularly after 'coming out' and because of problems related to the stigma attached to homosexuality.
The help line will be there to listen to them and give them any help or advice they might need," said Diane Xuereb the co-ordinator of the help line. The MGRM's DiversCity week will run between 5 and 13 July. Activities include a film festival in collaboration with the British Council, a Forum Theatre, an exhibition depicting homosexuality through the ages, a festival and finally a Pride Party. MGRM's events are being held in collaboration with St James Cavalier, General Soft Drinks Limits, the British Council, the Malta Photographic Society and the Valletta Local Council.

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The Malta Independent, St Julians, Malta
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Government outlaws discrimination against gays
by Karl SchembriThe government has given in to pressure from the European Union and the Maltese gay community to outlaw discrimination at the place of work against gays and lesbians, in line with EU directives. Legal notice 297 published last Tuesday in the Government Gazette specifically bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, as well as religion or belief, disability, age, race and ethnic origin. Published as subsidiary legislation to the existing labour laws (Employment and Industrial Relations Act, 2002), the new legal notice marks a first in Maltese legislation when it comes to specifically banning discrimination against gays and lesbians.
The legal notice states: "In determining whether any treatment is treatment that is justified in a democratic society, the Industrial Tribunal shall take into account the provisions of any directive and, or regulation issued by the institutions of the European Union relating to discrimination and particularly Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29th June 2000 and Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27th November 2000 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or ethnic origin."
The Malta Gay Rights Movement received the news of the legal notice with satisfaction, and hope for more progressive legislation safeguarding gay rights. "We're happy with this positive development," said MGRM co-ordinator Sandro Mangion. "It's a step in the right direction." The MGRM has been insisting that the government get labour laws amended in line with EU directives for the last two years. Although last Tuesday's amendment is considered to be "subsidiary legislation" given that the text has not been inserted directly into the actual employment law, it is still useful for gay victims of discrimination at the place of work.
"Although the government has not transposed the EU directive in the Employment and Industrial Relations Act, one can still cite this legal notice in an industrial tribunal," Mr Mangion said. "The only problem is that a minister has the power to revoke this legal notice at will. But it's good to see that our lobbying and the European Commission's pressure had the desired effect." Pressure from the European Commission was made public last May by the commission's Employment and Social Affairs Director General, Odile Quintin, during a visit to Malta to monitor the progress made by the government in adopting the EU's social and employment regulations prior to accession.
"I confirm there is a need to have all grounds covered by the directive to be spelt out specifically in Maltese law," Ms Quintin said in a press conference. Although Maltese labour laws ban discrimination in principle, EU Council Directive 2000/78/EC identifies gays and lesbians as being more likely of being discriminated against at the work place and grants them special protection. Ms Quintin's warnings were swiftly followed by an unequivocal statement by Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen following a query by British Labour MEP Michael Cashman, a declared gay and supporter of MGRM.
"In Malta, the recently adopted Employment and Industrial Relations Act did not fully transpose the Directive on equal treatment in employment and occupation," Mr Verheugen said. "Gaps remain concerning the coverage of all the grounds of discrimination (age, sexual orientation), the burden of proof and the definition of direct and indirect discrimination." The Commissioner added that there was therefore a clear need in Malta "to reinforce the legal framework in order to fully transpose the requirements of the anti-discrimination acquis". He also assured Mr Cashman that the Commission would "make use of all the instruments at our disposal to ensure that the acquis in this area is fully transposed by accession".
The Maltese government had resisted mounting pressure to introduce new regulations prior to EU accession on the grounds that existing legislation was enough to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians. "The opinion by the legal experts given to us here in Malta is that we do not need to be specific," Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said last May. Now that the government seems to have backtracked on its position, the new legal notice means that Maltese law specifically bans discrimination against gays and lesbians at work although harassment against them is still not specifically outlawed.
"The Maltese government, specifically the Deputy Prime Minister, has stressed the point that the Employment and Industrial Relations Act was always intended to cover all 'discriminatory treatment'," said Parliamentary Secretary Dolores Cristina. "In fact, the Employment and Industrial Relations Act states that 'discriminatory treatment' means any distinction, exclusion or restriction which is not justifiable in a democratic society. However, given that some questions were raised regarding the interpretation of this definition and whether this definition meets the requirements of EU directives 2000/43/EC and 2000/78/EC,
Legal Notice 297 makes specific reference to this directive to clear any difficulties that could have arisen in the interpretation of the definition quoted above." Ms Cristina said that harassment against gays and lesbians is already covered by labour laws and by the Equality for Men and Women Act. However there is still no specific mention of sexual orientation.
The Minister's communications coordinator, Alan Camilleri, said the government did not backtrack because it still resisted transposing the directive in "primary legislation". Be that as it may, MGRM considers this to be a victory although it is cautiously optimistic about pending issues. One of them is harassment of gays and lesbians at the work place, which is still not catered for specifically in the labour laws. According to an MGRM survey commissioned last year, 40 per cent of Maltese gays and lesbians said they were harassed at work, while many others admitted they were ashamed to speak out about discrimination.

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2 May 2005 - di-ve news

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Gay movement protests as MCC refuses to accept application for transsexual beauty contest

Valletta, Malta - The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) has protested at the manner the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) has refused an application to hold a beauty contest for transsexual contestants there. It asked the Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech whether he approves of the way the matter was handled by the MCC chairman, Peter Fenech. According to the movement, Dr Fenech declined for several times to give both the organisers and MGRM any details why the MCC refused the application six months ago.

MCC is bound to deal with proposals transparently, the movement argued. If the Mediterranean Conference Centre does have clear criteria on which it bases its decisions to accept or refuse applications, it must not keep them secret. MGRM said that such activities offer transsexual persons, in this case male to female, the necessary space to bring out their talents and share them with the public. These individuals are already discriminated against in mainstream beauty contests, in which they are usually rejected by non-transsexual females, the movement stated.

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19 December 2006 - Malta Star
10
Malta with lowest support for gay adoption

Almost one of every five Maltese persons are in favour of gay marriages, but only 7 per cent agree that homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt children. Only 7 per cent of Maltese respondents to the latest Eurobarometer survey agreed that homosexuals should be allowed to adopt children, putting Malta at par with Poland as the EU members that least support gay adoption.
This is much less than the average for all EU citizens, which currently stands at 32 per cent. But the Maltese are much less conservative when it comes to gay marriage. In the preliminary report of EU’s public opinion study for Autumn 2006, 18 per cent of Maltese questioned answered that they are in favour of allowing homosexual couples to get married. But once again, this level of acceptance is much lower than the EU’s 44 per cent average.
Legalise cannabis?
Homosexual rights is one of the new issues that the latest Eurobarometer report analysed in a new section on values that are currently hot issues in various member states. It also questioned whether the personal consumption of cannabis should be legalised throughout Europe, and over one of every five Maltese citizens (21%) answered “yes”.

The study also sought the opinion of Maltese on the role of religion in society and 70 per cent agreed that “the place of religion in our society is too important”. What justice? The same study also looked at immigration. When presented with the statement “Immigrants contribute a lot to Malta”, only 21 per cent agreed.

The majority of the local respondents expressed their concern on the lack of justice in Malta. 71 per cent agreed that “we need more equality and justice, even if this means less freedom for the individual”, while 81 per cent agreed that “justice is considered as too tolerant nowadays”.
On a political level, 55 per cent of Maltese agreed that the EU should have a common foreign policy, while 64 per cent were in favour of a common defence and security policy. The study also shows that Europeans rank peace (52%), respect for human life (43%), and human rights (41%) as their most important personal values.

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16 February 2007 - PinkNews
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Malta transsexual given permission to marry
by PinkNews.co.uk writer
A judge in Malta has ordered government officials to issue the appropriate documentation to permit a transsexual woman to get married. The court's ruling is the first of its kind in the country, which joined the EU in 2004. The decision, taken yesterday, confirmed that as the woman had undergone gender reassignment surgery, her birth certificate should be changed to reflect her sex as legally female.
Mr. Justice Camilleri has now ordered the director of Public Registry to issue marriage banns and change the name and sex on her birth certificate, di-ve news reports. The judge also pointed out that nothing in the country's marriage laws would prevent someone who is legally a woman from marrying a man just because of her former gender.
Malta is one of the most socially conservative countries in the EU. 98% of the population are Roman Catholics, and although homosexuality is legal, there remains significant prejudice.The Mediterranean island, a British colony until 1964, has around 400,000 inhabitants and is the smallest EU state in terms of both size and population.
In 2000 the government were criticised by gay rights groups for openly homophobic statements criticising EU proposals to treat gay people equally. Only 18% of the population support gay marriage, a December Eurobarometer survey found.

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9 March 2007 - PinkNews
12
Malta delays transsexual's wedding 3/07
by Rachel Charman
The Maltese Director of Public Registry is continuing to resist the release of marriage banns for a transsexual woman and her male partner. Mr Justice Gino Camilleri ordered the director, Anthony Geraldi, to issue the banns on 12th February, on the grounds that the union between the transsexual and her partner did not conflict with any part of the Marriage Act, as she has now become a woman. But a week later, Geraldi requested a reversal of the court decree, claiming that the change in the Act of Birth of the transsexual that allows a change of name and gender was only to protect her privacy. This, he believes, does not mean that she can now be considered a woman in legal terms as her surgery was cosmetic.
On 1st March the transsexual's lawyers insisted that they arrange an appointment for their client to apply for the banns to be issued, forcing the registry to set a date for 7th March. Geraldi then filed an urgent application, requesting authorisation not to issue the banns until the original application was decided on. He said that if this application forced him to issue the banns, the requests made in the original application would be "irremediably prejudiced," according to TimesOfMalta.com.
Mr. Justice Micallef ruled that the application would be upheld and the marriage banns were not to be issued for the next 40 days to ensure that the interests of both the transsexual and Geraldi are not compromised. Geraldi's resistance to the marriage is not without popular support. Only 18% of the Maltese population support gay marriage, a December Eurobarometer survey found, and there is significant prejudice against the LGBT community.
In parliament too there is debate over the issue. In reply to a parliamentary question on 26th February, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi that he believes there is no doubt that the Marriage Act was clear that a marriage should take place between a man and a woman.
Malta is one of the most socially conservative countries in the EU.98% of the population are Roman Catholics, and although homosexuality is legal, there remains significant prejudice. The Mediterranean island, a British colony until 1964, has around 400,000 inhabitants and is the smallest EU state in terms of both size and population.In 2000 the government were criticised by gay rights groups for openly homophobic statements criticising EU proposals to treat gay people equally.

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9th November 2007 - PinkNews
13
Maltese press question MEP over gay club visits
by PinkNews.co.uk staff writer
A leading newspaper in Malta has questioned the gay-hostile voting record of one of the country's Member of the European Parliament in light of revelations that he is a regular at Brussels gay bars. LGBT activists are angry that David Casa, 38, voted against motions in the parliament that condemned homophobic violence and discrimination.
Newspaper Il Torca reported in September: "Many homosexuals commented with this newspaper that David Casa was seen a number of times in gay clubs in Brussels." Reporters contacted Mr Casa about these allegations and were told that he only goes to gay establishments for "politically-related events."
"Whenever I am invited from groups and organisations who fight discrimination of every kind, yes I attend," he told Il Torca. Malta is one of the most socially conservative countries in the EU. 98% of the population are Roman Catholics, and although homosexuality is legal, there remains significant prejudice. The Mediterranean island, a British colony until 1964, has around 400,000 inhabitants and is the smallest EU state in terms of both size and population.
In 2000 the government were criticised by gay rights groups for openly homophobic statements criticising EU proposals to treat gay people equally. Only 18% of the Maltese population support gay marriage, a December 2006 Eurobarometer survey found, and there is significant prejudice against the LGBT community.

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