Tuesday, 19 February 2008

L-importanza ta' L-Ewro Roza

€ Pink Euro €

Studji juru li koppji gay jaqaw taht il-kategorija ta' Double-Income-No-Kids.
Dawn it-tip ta'koppji jonfqu flushom b'mod differenti minn koppji ohrajn, u studji juru li aktar jonfqu flus fl-ivvjaggar.

Peres li Malta tghix fuq it-turizmu, hu importanti hafna li ma nissottovalutawx din li kategorija ta' nies specjalment, meta f'Malta irridu inzidu t-turizmu fl-istagunijiet off-peak.

Pajjizi ohrajn li jghixu fuq it-turizmu, bhall-Awstria fehmu din u fl-ufficji tat-turizmu tal-bliet issib kategorija ta' brochures ghal nies gay.

Hawn Malta meta kont membru tal-kumitat ta' Malta Gay Rights Movement, konna qed norganizzaw LGBT film festival u meta mort fl-ufficju tat-turisti l-Belt Valletta biex naghtihom il-leaflets biex ipogguhom fuq l-ixkaffa kulhadd baqa iccassat li jista' ikun hemm gay film festival li, iva fil-films ikollok nies gay. Il-mara quddiemi baqghet ixxukkjata u wara li kellha icempel lis-supervisor u mbaghad nahseb lid-direttur, qtajt qalbi u tlaqt il-barra.

Il-gays m'humiex pjaga fuq il-pajjiz. Ghandhom hafna x'joffru. M'ghandiex nibzghu minnhom, inkeccuhom mill-pajjiz jew ingeghulhom jghixu f'gidba.

ISSA wasal iz-zmien ghall-bidla. M'ghandniex nitilfu dan ic-cans ghax ic-cans li jmiss jigi hames snin ohra. Ivvota lil min mhux se jghaddik biz-zmien. Ivvota 1 Alternattiva Demokratika.

Dr. Ing. Patrick Attard

Related links:

The Pink Pound

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_pound

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/142998.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/jan/23/money.gayrights

MGRM presents petition to AD

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=65199

MGRM presents petition to AD
by ERIKA BRINCAT

The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) launched a petition yesterday requesting that the following issues be adequately addressed by all political parties:

• Formal recognition of the rights of same-sex couples;

• The inclusion of an article in the Criminal Code regarding homophobic and transphobic violence, and a clear strategy addressing homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools;

• Legal protection against discrimination in the delivery of goods and services expressly referring to the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression;

• The formal extension of the remit of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality to cater for the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression;

• And the inclusion of gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy for transgender persons as part of the public health services.

MGRM’s petition has been signed by 1,068 people since last October 2007, including Alternattiva Demokratika’s chairman Harry Vassallo, and AD is the first among the various political parties to have accepted the presentation of this petition yesterday at their offices in Sliema.

“As a party our message has been clear and we do not have any difficulty with any of the five requests listed in MGRM’s petition. Even with regards the public health services, we agree that trans-people should have free health treatment to enable their transition, and we doubt that the number of people requesting this service will be so exorbitant as to have an effect on the other free health services given, although we do think other priorities at Mater Dei Hospital need to be taken into consideration,” said Dr Vassallo.

“However, AD has always been clear that the word ‘civil marriage’ should not be used in the case of gays and lesbians,” he said.

Unlike AD, MGRM would like to see the institution of marriage for gays accepted legally since the recognition of marriage would give them true equality, however they are welcoming the acceptance of “civil unions” as this would be a step forward in the right direction said the movement’s coordinator Gabriella Calleja.

MGRM have 300 registered members although they do not feel that this is representative of the number of LGBT’s (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals & Transexuals) in Malta and Gozo since according to international research it was found that between 5-10 per cent of voters in any given population is usually gay which would mean that on average there would be between 15,000 to 30,000 gay members within our voting community, although most of them would not have “come out” due to fear of being discriminated against.

“AD is the only party consistently in favour of our rights, within which a candidate is an openly declared gay. However AN have also agreed to meet us and we are also waiting for a reply from the MLP and PN,” concluded an MGRM spokesperson.

Monday, 18 February 2008

AD is in favour of gay rights

http://www.timesofmalta.com/election2008/view/20080218/news/alternattiva-backs-gay-rights

Alternattiva backs gay rights

Alternattiva Demokratika leader Harry Vassallo said today that the recognition of gay rights would be a step forward, helping the political class to catch up with Maltese society

At press conference at the AD offices Dr Vassallo said that his party had always insisted that the recognition of gay rights was a sign of tolerance and civilization which Maltese society had achieved ahead of its political class.

Dr Vassallo made his comments following a meeting with the representatives of the Malta Gay Rights Movement who presented a petition signed by 1,063 people asking for the enactment of specific proposals in favour of the minorities they represent.

Miss Gabi Calleja explained that the petitioners were in favour of the formal recognition of the rights of same sex couples; for the inclusion of a Criminal Code provision against violence motivated by homophobia and transphobia and for a strategy addressing similarly motivated bullying in schools. The MGRM is asking for legal protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in the provision of goods and services as well as for the extension of the remit of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression issues. The MGRM petition also calls for transgender surgery and therapy to be included in public health services.

Dr Vassallo said Alternattiva Demokratika supported the MGRM request.

Technorati Profile

L-Orizzont: Il-'gay drain' minn Malta biex imorru jghixu vera suret in-nies Fl-ezilju… imma kuntent hafna

http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=37971

Il-'gay drain' minn Malta biex imorru jgœixu vera suret in-nies Fl-eÿilju… imma kuntent œafna
minn Victor Vella

Immaġinaw ftit. Żagħżugħ jinduna li l-ġibdiet tiegħu huma lejn is-sess maskili – omosesswali. L-atteġġjament tiegħu u forsi l-mod kif jaħseb, jibda' jwasslu biex sħabu jemarġinawh. Iċ-ċajt goff jipprovawh fuqu l-ewwel "għax hu mhux bħalhom". Ħafna drabi jispiċċa vittma ta' bbuljar, mgħajjar u insulentat. Appoġġ fl-iskola jew servizzi ta' appoġġ għalih ma jsibx. In-nies fit-triq u s-soċjetà inġenerali ukoll titkaża bih. Il-patrijiet jgħidulu "xejn ħażin li inti omosesswali, imma tippratti-kahiex". Kull fejn imur jinduna li jkun diskriminat, li m'għandux id-drittijiet daqs l-eterosesswali. Kull fejn imur mit-toroq sal-knejjes, ħafna jippontaw subgħajhom lejh. Ta' ġewwa wkoll jinħasdu meta jgħidilhom li omosesswali. Ikun hemm min jgħidlu li "se tħassrilna l-unur tal-familja" jew li hu "n-nagħġa s-sewda tal-familja". Din hi s-sitwazzjoni li jgħixu fiha ħafna omosesswali f'Malta.

Il-mistoqsija hi x'tista' tagħmel jekk int omosesswali u trid verament tgħix ħajtek bi drittijiet daqs in-nies l-oħrajn. Is-soluzzjoni, għal ħafna omosesswali, hi waħda – dik li teżilja ruħek, għax sa issa f'Malta għadna wisq lura biex l-omosesswali jingħataw drittijiethom kif għandhom f'pajjiżi Ewropej. Meta tagħmel hekk tibda tgħix ħajtek, skond l-emozzjonijiet tiegħek, fil-kuntentizza u mingħajr ma tkun iġġudikat. Għadd ta' omosesswali imxew fuq dawn il-passi u ħallew jew qegħdin jitilqu minn Malta, f'dak li qed jissejjaħ il-'gay drain'.

Wieħed minn dawk li ma felaħx u ma setax jgħix aktar f'Malta, kien Antoine Spiteri, li eżilja ruħu minn Malta, fl-età żgœira ta' 15-il sena. Illum Spiteri, mhux biss żviluppa l-karattru tiegħu tant li għamel riċerka interessanti fuq iċ-'chimpanzees', iżda qiegħed jgħix ħajtu kif dejjem xtaq, miżżewwġġ u l-quddiem bit-tfal ukoll. Antoine u David issa ilhom sena miżżewæin, bir-rispett u l-imħabba lejn xulxin fl-aħħar sena qatt ma naqsu. Huma tant jinsabu kuntenti jgħixu ħajjithom, li qegħdin jippjanaw li jkollhom it-tfal fil-futur qrib, billi jadottaw. Ix-xewqa ta' Antoine dejjem kienet li jkollu tfal f'Malta, iżda fiċ-ċirkostanzi preżenti din ma tistax isseħħ.

l-orizzont ikkomunika ma' Antoine Spiteri u staqsejnieh dwar id-deċiżjoni li jeżilja ruħu minn Malta. Tkellimna miegħu ukoll fuq il-ħajja miżżewġa fir-Renju Unit.

Hu jiddeskrivi s-soċjetà Maltija bœala li gœandha strutturi inaççettabbli. Spjega li "meta ngœid hekk inkun qed nirreferi gœal-limitazzjoni li membri ta' gruppi ta' minoritajiet jiffaççjaw b'mod personali, soçjalment u anke politikament. Meta tqabbel lil Malta ma' xi pajjiÿi oœrajn Ewropej, il-limitazzjonijiet li jiffaççjaw l-omosesswali f'Malta huma sproporzjonati. Fost dawn hemm nuqqas ta' servizz gœall-komunità ta' omosesswali, lesbjani, bisesswali u transesswali f'Malta. Hemm barrieri kulturali biex tgœix il-œajja ta' omosesswali u limitazzjonijiet fuq opportunitajiet edukattivi gœall-membri ta' gruppi ta' minoranzi. Hemm ukoll il-limitazzjonijiet politiçi bejn l-eterosesswali u l-omosesswali, fosthom l-gœarfien ta' relazzjoni bejn koppji omosesswali, il-liæijiet ta' l-immigrazzjoni u l-gœarfien gœall-familji omosesswali".



L-eÿilju lejn Los Angeles ta' 15-il sena

Antoine Spiteri spjega li "kont qed inœoss li kont qed nikber f'ambjent politiku u reliæjuÿ li kien konservattiv gœall-aœœar, ambjent li ma kienx possibbli li ÿagœÿugœ omosesswali jiÿviluppa u jimxi 'l quddiem. Il-Patrijiet Dumnikani kienu qegœdin jgœiduli li "m'hemm xejn œaÿin li nkun 'gay', iÿda tipprattikax", waqt li l-Gvern kien qed jgœid li "m'hemm xejn œaÿin li jien omosesswali iÿda tistenniex li se nagœrfuk bœala bniedem komplet". "Gœal œafna snin kont inœossni kkonfrontat mill-istrutturi qawwija tas-soçjetà li kienu jiææudikaw u jittimbraw çerti attitudnijiet u çertu stil ta' œajja bœala inaççettabbli. Din poææietni f'poÿizzjoni kerha u b'hekk kont imæiegœel naœseb mill-ædid fuq il-valuri tiegœi, dak li nemmen u dak kollu li kien hemm madwari. Iddeçidejt li nœalli Malta."

Jenfasizza li l-punt li l-aktar li gœafsu biex iœalli lil Malta kienet is-sistema edukattiva. Qalilna li "s-sistema edukattiva ma kinitx tagœmilha façli gœall-individwi minn gruppi li æejjin minn minoritajiet biex ikunu suççess. Ma kien hemm l-ebda liæijiet dwar l-ibbuljar, ma kien hemm l-ebda appoææ gœall-vittmi ta' l-omofobija u ebda rikonoxximent li jeÿistu omosesswali adoloxxenti. Kien diffiçli gœall-individwi li ma kinux kompatibbli mat-tagœlim u testijiet standard u ma kien hemm l-ebda appoææ gœall-istudenti li jsofri minn marki baxxi sempliçiment gœax is-sistema edukattiva hi eterosessista".



Ir-reliæjon f'Malta u l-omosesswali

Antoine Spiteri jgœidilna li "minœabba l-influwenza kbira li r-reliæjon gœandha fuq is-soçjetà u l-kultura Maltija, din l-istess influwenza gœandha implikazzjonijiet kbar fuq kif is-soçjetà tœares lejn l-omosesswalità u fuq kollox kif l-omosesswali jœarsu lejhom infushom. It-tbatija u s-sofferenza li l-omosesswali jesperjenzaw, minœabba riÿultat dirett ta' preæudizzjoni reliæjuÿ, gœandhom ikunu rikonoxxuti, u mistœarræin biex jinœaræu miÿuri biex jaraw li l-omosesswali ma jibqgœux aktar mhedda, oppressati u ppersegwitati fiÿikament u psikoloæikament. Gœal dawk li weæægœu minn dawn il-preæudizzji u azzjonijiet, inœoss li gœandu jkun hemm riparazzjoni u anke appoææ biex il-vittmi jkunu mgœejjunin. Gœalliema omosesswali gœandhom ikunu protetti bil-liæi u l-gœalliema kollha kemm eterosesswali kif ukoll l-omosesswali, gœandu jkollhom l-istess limitazzjonijiet u libertajiet meta jiæu biex jinfluwenzaw lill-istudenti fuq dak li jemmnu u jgœixu huma personalment".



Il-kuntatt ma' Malta u l-familja nÿamm

Antoine Spiteri qalilna li "meta nuÿa l-kelma eÿilju, jien inkun qiegœed nirreferi gœat-tluq tiegœi b'mod volontarju minn pajjiÿi u gœad-distakk b'mod psikoloæiku minn kultura li jien naraha bœala li hi ta' detriment gœall-omosesswali. Minn Malta tlaqt lejn Los Angeles, belt liberali. Mort hemmhekk biex ngœix f'belt, li kienet tqis li l-omosesswali gœandhom jitœallew jgœixu fil-libertà u meqjusa bœala mem-bri validi gœas-soçjetà t'hemm-hekk. Gœalkemm ngœix barra, gœad gœandi rabtiet qawwijin ma' Malta. Ta' kuljum inçempel lil ommi u membri oœrajn tal-familja. L-assi tiegœi jinsabu kollha f'Malta. B'mod æenerali nœossni Malti u niæi Malta regolarment. Ngœix fir-Renju Unit mas-sieœeb tiegœi. Hawnhekk sar progress soçjali fejn jidœlu d-drittijiet ta' l-omosesswali u l-ugwaljanza bejn l-eterosesswali u l-omosesswali. Jista' jkun li xi darba, l-omosesswali li œallew Malta jœossu li huma ukoll gœadhom post fis-soçjetà Maltija u b'hekk ikunu jistgœu jerægœu jiæu lura. Sakemm iseœœ dan, œafna ÿgœaÿagœ se jkunu qegœdin iœarsu lejn sistema soçjali aktar tolleranti".



Jagœlaq sena miÿÿewweæ mas-sieœeb

Antoine Spiteri spjegalna li "fit-8 ta' Settembru se nkun gœalaqt sena mindu jien u s-sieœeb tiegœi David iÿÿewwiæna biç-çivil taœt il-liæi Ingliÿa. F'dan il-mument ninsabu ferœanin u kuntenti œafna u qegœdin nippjanaw li jkollna t-tfal fil-futur qrib". L-omosesswali jistgœu jrabbu t-tfal billi jadottaw.

Antoine qalilna li "kienet preferenza tiegœi li jkolli t-tfal f'Malta u li jikbru hemm, bogœod mill-perikli li jeÿistu fi bliet kbar. F'dan il-mument iÿda ma nœossx li l-ambjent f'Malta hu ideali gœall-familji omosesswali. Nara iÿda li xi darba, l-familji omosesswali se jkunu jistgœu jirritornaw lejn Malta mingœajr ma jœossuhom li qegœdin f'sistema legali ÿbilançjata kontrihom."

victorvella2002@yahoo.com

Alternattiva Demokratika for GAY Rights

Alternattiva Demokratika for GAY Rights
AD is in favour of civil partnerships.


Discussion with

Dr. Harry Vassallo
Dr. Patrick Attard

at the Adams Hotel, Ross Street Paceville
on Sunday 17th February at 13:30


If you are in favour of gay rights, and believe that civil partnerships should be recognised by the state then it is important to attend and have your say.

If this chance to move the issue of gay rights forward is lost, then the next one will be in 5 years' time!

Please note that the media will not be invited for the event.




It-Torca: Ittri lil Editur: David Casa u l-gay clubs fi Brussels

http://www.it-torca.com/news.asp?newsitemid=6419
Novembru 2007
minn Dr Joseph Chetcuti, Melbourne

Qrajt ir-rapporti li dehru fit-torċa online (18/11/2007) u pinknews.co.uk. Skond dawn ir-rapporti, David Casa rabat l-attendenza tiegħu f'xi gay clubs fi Brussels ma' attivitajiet ta' natura politika.

Ladarba dawn kienu impenji uffiċjali, nassumi li bħala membru effiċjenti tal-parlament u tal-Partit Nazzjonalista, Casa għandu rekord sħiħ ta' dawn il-viżti uffiċjali. Allura jien nistaqsih hekk:

(a) Liema kienu dawk il-gay clubs li int żort fi Brussels?

(b) Meta (jum u ħin) għamilt dawn il-viżti uffiċjali tiegħek?

(ċ) Min kienu dawk li stednuk (jew ħajruk) tmur f'dawn il-gay clubs?

(d) X'kienet l-okkażjoni ta' kull stedina?

(e) Barra Brussels, qatt attendejt uffiċjalment gay clubs jew postijitet oħra mfittxa mill-omosesswali kemm f'Malta kif ukoll f'pajjiżi oħra? U jekk iva, x'kien l-iskop ta' kull attendenza tiegħek?

Ġie rrapurtat ukoll, dejjem skond Casa, li d-deċiżjoni tiegħu li jastjeni mill-vot tal-mozzjoni li tikkundanna l-vjolenza u d-diskriminazzjoni kontra l-omosesswali ma kienet bl-ebda mod vot favur l-omofobja. B'kull rispett, ma naqbel xejn ma' dan is-sentiment. Kif jgħid il-qawl Ingliż: if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, it is a duck. Aħjar naqlibha għall-Malti: jekk iżżegleg bħal papra, tlaq-laq bħal papra u tidher qisha papra ... hi papra!

---
Ara wkoll:

Pink News: Maltese press question MEP over gay club visits

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-6014.html

Maltese press question MEP over gay club visits
Facebook StumbleUpon Seed Newsvine Digg Del.icio.us Furl


Malta is one of the most socially conservative countries in the EU.
Readers Comments
Click here to read and make Comments on this article
Advertisement

Receive our daily news update
email:

Related Articles
Euro survey reveals attitudes to diversity

MEPs highlight homophobic bullying in school

Malta transsexual given permission to marry

Mayor supports Euro gay bullying campaign

Malta delays transsexual's wedding


Recent comments across PinkNews.co.uk

Powered by HaloScan




9th November 2007 12:28
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.

EU Gay News: Malta's First Gay Politician Announces Candidacy

http://www.eugaynews.com/malta/gayrep103530.html

Malta's First Gay Politician Announces Candidacy

Enginier Dr. Patrick Attard is the first gay candidate in Malta. He is a 28 year old engineer educated in Stuttgard and will be contesting district 5 composed of B’Bugia, Kirkop, Marsaxlokk, Imqabba, Qrendi, Safi, Zurrieq, Bubaqra and district 12 composed of Mellieha, Naxxar, San Pawl il-Bahar. Patrick Attard announced his candidacy today 10 Feb 2008 during a public interview.

Some of Dr Attard’s statements during the public interview:

“Studies show that for an economy to function and succeed, it has to fulfill 3 T’s, talent, technology and tolerance.”

“In the last five years the public has progressed at a fast pace but the political climate is still lagging behind”

“Alternattiva Demokratika is the only secular political party and therefore the only alternative party that considers social themes that other mainstream parties often shy away from.

Patrick added that "although many in politics are gay they lack the courage to come out publicly. Malta is small and everyone is known to an extent.
Patrick message is clear : we can make use of available talent, be tolerant. For our country to progress we can not set anyone aside. Yes everything is possible when we work together, Working together in a coalition."

Sunday, 17 February 2008

Biografija / Biography (About me)

Dr. Ing. PATRICK ATTARD

Kandidat fuq il-5 Distrett: Birżebbuġa; Kirkop; Marsaxlokk; Mqabba; Qrendi; Safi; Żurrieq,

u t-12-il Distrett : Mellieħa; Naxxar; San Pawl il-Baħar.

Dr. Ing. Patrick Attard iggradwa mill-Università ta' Malta fl-2001 bħala Inġinier u għamel riċerka għad-dottorat fl-Inġinerija fil-Ġermanja mal-Mercedes Benz. Ix-xogħol tiegħu wassal ghal 11-il Patent fl-Ewropa, Amerka u Ġappun u Pubblikazzjoni Xjentifika. Fl-2005 hu ħadem mal-Mercedes-Ilmor biex jagħmel studju fuq sensor innovattiv tal-magni tal-Mercedes tal-Formula Wieħed fl-Ingilterra ħdejn Silverstone. Wara mar l-Awstralja għal sena fejn kompla jaħdem fuq kontroll tal-magni tal-karozzi.

Bejn l-2003 u l-2005 hu kien wieħed mill-Organizzaturi tal-Gay Pride March ta' Stuttgart, Ġermanja u fl-2007 kien membru tal-Kumitat tal-Malta Gay Rights Movement.

Hu ikkontesta l-elezzjoni ġenerali mal-Alternattiva Demokratika għall-ħames u tnax-il distrett u kien membru ta' l-eżekuttiv tal-partit u Kelliem fuq Liżbjani, Gays, Bisesswali u persuni Trans sa Diċembru 2008.

---

Dr. Ing. Patrick Attard graduated from the University of Malta 2001 in Engineering and read for a PhD in Germany researching for Mercedes Benz. The research led to 11 Patents in Europe, America and Japan and a scientific paper. In 2005 he was employed at Mercedes-Ilmor close to Silverstone UK to conduct a study on an innovative sensor to be used on Mercedes Benz Formula One cars. In 2006 he moved to Australia to work on the engine control.

Between 2003 and 2005 he was one of the organisers of the Stuttgart Gay Pride in Germany and in 2007 he was a committee member of the Malta Gay Rights Movement. In 2008 he contested the General Election in Malta with the Maltese Green Party as an openly gay candidate (Malta is a very conserative land where even divorce is illegal) obtaining 1.4% of the vote in his district. He was an executive member of the Maltese Green Party and was the Spokesperson for LGBT Issues till December 2008.

He has written, co-authored and reviewed a number of articles on LGBT issues in Maltese, English, Italian, Spanish and German, some of which can be seen at http://patrickattard.blogspot.com.

I resigned from Alternattiva Demokratika on the 8th December 2008.

Intervista mat-Torċa: Mingħand l-Arċisqof bqajt bla risposta... imma xorta nirringrazzjah

http://www.it-torca.com/news.asp?newsitemid=6166
2.9.7; minn Victor Vella

Fil-bidu tas-sena, waqt laqgha fl-Università ma’ l-Arcisqof, l-Inginier Patrick Attard kien ixxokkja lil dawk preżenti (ara l-artiklu ta' l-Oriżżont hawn taħt).

Kien staqsa lill-Arcisqof, Pawl Cremona kif jista’ jibni pont ma’ l-omosesswali meta l-Knisja Kattolika tqis l-att bejn l-omosesswali bhala xi haga hazina. Kien qallu li l-Knisja Kattolika b’dak li tghid tohloq b’mod indirett tbatijiet zejda fuq l-omosesswali, firdiet u anke suwicidji.

Wara dawn il-kummenti li hasdu lill-Arcisqof, Patrick u Mons Cremona iltaqghu bejniethom biex jiddiskutu l-punti mqajjma. L-Inginier Patrick Attard, spjega lill-Arcisqof li dak li jixtieq mhux li l-Knisja tibdel it-taghlim, imma li toqghod attenta li ma tkomplix tohloq tbatija bla bzonn. Flok tiggudika l-omesswali ghandha tippriedka r-rispett u t-tolleranza. “Ix-xewqa tieghi hi li l-omosesswali f’Malta jkunu jistghu jieklu fuq l-istess mejda mal-qraba Kattolici taghhom. Illum qeghdin f’pozizzjoni li fl-ikla ta’ nhar ta’ hadd jew fil-festi bhall-Milied u l-Ghid tal-familja jghidulek ‘ejja kul imma ggibx is-sieheb - ma rriduhx.’ Ovvjament, dan iwassal biex dak li jkun imur jiekol mas-sieheb tieghu,” qal Patrick Attard lil it-Torca, li s-Sibt iddecieda li jikser is-silenzju li kien ilu fih minn Frar li ghadda.

Attard, li tkellem mat-Torca fil-kapacità personali tieghu, qalilna li “ninsab imwegga’ bl-atteggjament tad-Deputat Parlamentari Ewropew Nazzjonalista David Casa. Dan id-Deputat ivvota kontra u astjena fuq rizoluzzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew li jikkundannaw il-vjolenza u l-omofobija fl-Ewropa. Nista’ nghid li f’rizoluzzjoni f’April ta’ din is-sena dwar l-omofobija fl-Ewropa, hu astjena, waqt li astjena ukoll f’rizoluzzjoni kontra z-zieda fi vjolenza razzista u ta’ l-omofobija. Apparti dan f’rizoluzzjoni dwar l-omofobija fl-Ewropa li ttiehdet f’Jannar tas-sena li ghaddiet, David Casa ivvota kontra. Ghalija hu inaccettabbli li David Casa jagixxi b’dan il-mod u nistenna li jaghmel apologija pubblika mal-komunità omosesswali f’Malta. Nistenna aktar integrità minnu u li b’mod apert waqt xoghlu fil-Parlament Ewropew jikkundanna l-vjolenza fuq kulhadd, inkluzi l-omosesswali.”

Ma’ l-Arcisqof

L-Inginier Patrick Attard qalilna li “dak li ghidt lill-Arcisqof fl-Università spjegajtulu fid-dettal waqt laqgha privata li kelli mieghu. Spjegajtlu kif student jew zghazugh ikollu sieheb. Tal-famija ma jaccettawhx. Jitlaq mid-dar u jmur jghix mieghu. Minhabba l-istress ta’ glied mal-genituri, li lanqas ihalluh ikellem lil hutu u ma jkunux iriduh id-dar, tispicca ir-relazzjoni mas-sieheb peress li jkun iggranfa mieghu. Rizultat ta’ hekk jista’ jehel mill-ezamijiet. Dan iz-zghazugh jispicca jitlef lill-ommu, lill-missieru, l-hutu u s-sieheb. Dawn huma kazi li sehhew u l-konsegwenza taghhom kienet li dan iz-zghazugh jista’ jaghmel suwicidju.

‘Lill-Arcisqof staqsejtu ta’ min hu t-tort ghal din is-sitwazzjoni. Jekk hux taz-zghazugh, tal-genituri jew tal-Knisja Kattolika b’mod indirett minhabba dak li tghid fuq l-omosesswali. Minghand l-Arcisqof bqajt bla risposta. Qalli li se jahseb fuqha. Ghalkemm bqajt bla risposta irrid nirringrazzja lill-Arcisqof li ltaqa’ mieghi u wera kemm hu bniedem intelligenti u umli. Jien li ghidt lill-Arcisqof fil-laqgha kien dak li b’dak li qed tghid il-knisja fuq l-omosesswali, qed twassal biex tohloq mibgheda u firdiet,” qalilna Patrick Attard.

Enfasizza li “l-problema tieghi hi mhux biss dwar dak li tghid il-Knisja f’Malta izda dwar dak li johrog minn Ruma. Per ezempju fuq il-kontroversja dwar jekk l-omosesswali ghandhomx irabbu tfal, il-Vatikan jiddeskrivi li t-tfal li jghixu ma’ l-omosesswali bhala li jkunu qeghdin ibatu minn vjolenza. Din hi inaccettabli. Kif jistghu tfal ibatu minn vjolenza meta koppja omosesswali ghandhom relazzjoni sesswali flimkien huma kuntenti? Min hu l-aktar f’riskju li jabbuza mit-tfal, dawk li huma kuntenti sesswalment jew dawk li qeghdin fic-celibat?” staqsa Patrick Attard.

L-Istat

Sostna li “ma nifhimx lanqas kif l-Istat jibqa’ jaghzel li ma jillegislax favur l-omosesswali. Hawn diversi problemi minhabba nuqqas ta’ ligijiet li jaghtu drittijiet fundamentali lill-omosesswali, u li dawn qeghdin joholqu tbatijiet zejda u problemi. Per ezempju li sieheb li ma jkunx cittadin ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropeja ma jkunx jista’ jghix u jahdem hawn Malta”.

L-Inginier Patrick Attard tkellem ukoll dwar kif il-Ministru ghas-Solidarjetà Socjali ghazlet li ma tmurx ghall-Gay Parade, sempliciment ghax hi li ‘l-policy’ taghha li ma tattendix marci.

Kompla jghid li t-taghlim tal-Knisja jiddeskrivi l-omosesswalità bhala fenomenu socjali u morali li qed iwassal ghal thassib u inkwiet. L-att bejn l-omosesswali hu deskritt bhala hazen gravi. “Dan ghalija hu taghlim li johloq omofobija fost il-Kattolici. Taghlim bhal dan iwassal ghall-intolleranza u mibgheda. L-effetti negattivi huma diversi fosthom reazzjoni negattiva mill-genituri, ibbuljar, abbuz fiziku u verbali”, jghid Patrick Attard.

------------------
http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=33452
Għalliema Universitarji ma qagħdux
lura milli jolqtu fil-laħam il-ħaj:
Jibda l-iebes għall-Arċisqof
22.2.7; minn Victor Vella

“Ghaliex il-Knisja se tibqa’ taghzel lill-istudenti li hi ddahhal fl-iskejjel taghha? Bhala edukatur ma naqbilx ma’ din il-prattika. Qed nitkellem dwar l-ezami li jsir biex jidhlu fl-iskejjel tal-Knisja. Ghaliex tibqghu taghzlu l-istudenti taghkom fuq l-abbiltà? Meta se jkollkom ghazla favur il-fqir?” Ghalliema ohra qajmet il-punt li tfal thallew barra mis-Sinodu u rrimarkat li hawn tfal f’Malta li huma fqar u jbatu mill-eskluzjoni socjali. Membru iehor ta’ l-istaff, waqt li ddikjara li hu omosesswali u ma jemminx f’Alla, jistaqsi “kif tista’ tibni pont ma’ xi haga li l-Knisja tqisha moralment hazina?”

Lil hinn mix-xeni ta’ ferh, ghajjat u entuzjazmu u stediniet lill-Arcisqof il-gdid Mons Pawlu Cremona O.P. li kkaratterizzaw l-attivitajiet li saru fl-ahhar jiem kemm qabel kif ukoll wara l-ordinazzjoni tieghu, il-bierah fl-Università spikkaw ghadd ta’ mistoqsijiet pjuttost imbarazzanti li saru lill-Mons Arcisqof, Pawl Cremona O.P. Il-mistoqsijiet ma sarux mill-istudenti Universitarji, izda saru mill-ghalliema taghhom.

Mons Arcisqof, wiegeb ghad-domandi iebsin li sarulu billi ghamel stedina lil xi whud biex jaghmlu proposti fuq certi suggetti li jhossu li l-Knisja ma tathomx importanza bizzejjed. F’kazi ohrajn wiegeb li se jahseb u jikkonsidra fuq dak li kienu qeghdin iqajmu u ma qaghdx lura milli jghid li jiddispjacih ghal xi nuqqasijiet li seta’ kien hemm u talab mahfra.

L-istudenti Universitarji li attendew ghal-laqgha li saret fl-Università laqghuh b’entuzjazmu kbir, ghalkemm, hafna studenti ohrajn iddecidew li jibqghu ghax-xemx fuq il-Campus jew madwar l-Università.

Kien hemm min hass li ma kellux imur ghal-laqgha, izda ma naqasx li jitfa’ suggerimenti ta’ x’jixtieq mill-Arcisqof il-gdid, fi speci ta’ kaxxa li tpoggiet fuq il-Campus. “Ghalija aktar milli mmur u nistaqsi, hu aktar importanti li nwassal messagg lill-Arcisqof dwar x’bidla nixtieq. Jien li ma nistax nifhem hu kif il-Knisja tibqa’ tehodha kontra l-kontracettivi u tghid li dan qieghed izomm il-hajja. Din ma nifhimhiex” qalilna student.

Intant lura ghas-sala li fiha l-Arcisqof Cremona ltaqa’ ma’ l-istudenti, spikka l-intervent tad-Dekan tal-Fakultà ta’ l-Edukazzjoni, Dr. Carmel Borg. Hu qal li “naraha stramba li l-Knisja fl-iskejjel taghha ghadha taghzel l-istudenti fuq l-abbiltajiet taghhom. Bhala edukatur ma naqbilx ma’ dan. Hu hazin li taghzel fuq l-abbiltà, ghax l-abbiltà ghandha l-kuntest fl-gheruq socjali.”

Mons Arcisqof Cremona, wiegeb lil Dr. Borg billi qal li “l-problema hi li hemm hafna li jridu jigu jitghallmu fl-iskejjel tal-Knisja. In-numri huma limitati, ma jistax jigi kulhadd”.

F’dan il-mument, Dr. Carmel Borg, rega’ ntervjena u qal li “jien tkellimt fuq l-ezami tal-Common Entrance. Meta l-Knisja se jkollha l-ghazla favur il-fqir?” Mons Arcisqof waqt li ghal ftit hin deher ilaqlaq fuq din il-mistoqsija, wiegbu billi qallu li se jirrifletti fuq il-punti li kien qieghed iqajjem.

Wara dan l-intervent, kien imiss lil Ruth Farrugia, mill-Fakultà tal-Ligi. Din qajmet il-punt li t-tfal thallew barra mis-Sinodu. Hi sostniet li f’Malta hawn tfal li qeghdin ibatu fil-faqar u fl-eskluzjoni socjali. Hi qalet li tistenna li l-Knisja taghti kas aktar tat-tfal.

Mons Arcisqof irreagixxa ghal dan billi qal li “jien ghad irrid nitghallem fuq ir-realtà Maltija. Tridu tqisu li ahna nintghazlu billi jibghat ghalik in-Nunzju u jghidlek li il-Papa ghazel lilek. Tghidlu tini cans 24 siegha halli nirrifletti. Jghidlek hudha b’obbidjenza. Se nkun wicci tost maghkom. Min ghandu xi ideat, fatti ta’ kif nistghu ntejbu xi affarijiet, ibghatuhomli u nikkonsidrahom. Irrid nghid ukoll li l-Knisja tahdem hafna mill-qrib mat-tfal ukoll. Biss napprezza li jkolli dawl minghandkom fuq certi affarijiet.

Dr. Patrick Attard, membru ta’ l-istaff ta’ l-Università beda l-intervent tieghu billi qal li “jien omosesswali. F’Alla ma nemminx u lanqas fil-Knisja. Il-Knisja ghamlet il-hajja ta’ hafna nies infern.

Keccejtu nies mid-djar taghkom. Kien hemm min ghamel suwicidju ghax kien imwegga’ bil-mod kif gie trattat. Inti ghedt li trid tibni pont. Kif tista’ tibni pont ma’ xi haga li tqisuha bhala moralment hazina?”.

Mons Cremona wiegeb ghal dan billi qal li “d-dikjarazzjoni li qieghed taghmel hi generika. Ma nahsibx li jekk tistaqsi ‘l dawn li hawn fis-sala, kollha se jaqblu ma’ dan. Ma nahsibx lanqas li kulhadd jara l-Knisja bhala li tkecci n-nies. Jien stess gie xi hadd ghandi li pprova tliet darbiet jaghmel suwicidju. Kellu l-marki. Ghandu problema tax-xorb u hadtu ghand l-Alkoholici Anonimi. Jekk hemm xi nuqqasijiet jew saru xi nuqqasijiet, jiddispjacini u nitlob mahfra.”

F’diskors qasir li ghamel qabel l-interventi l-Arcisqof Cremona qal li “ma jistax ikun li ghax xi hadd jesprimi li jemmen fi principji Kristjani jew jaqbel ma’ dak li tghid id-dinja, kulhadd jibda jehodha kontrih, qisha grat xi haga kbira.

Irridu niggieldu kontra din il-mentalità, favur il-kuncett tat-tolleranza. Lilna bhala Knisja qeghdin jistennew li qabel nitkellmu naraw l-istampa kollha.”

Sostna li l-Knisja ghandha dritt li taghmel il-pozizzjonijiet taghha, anke jekk haddiehor ma jaqbilx maghhom. Enfasizza li l-Knisja ma tistax ma tipproponix, anke jekk l-istat ma jkunx jaqbel maghhom.

Mons Cremona qal li “kien hawn diversi kulturi u imperi u maz-zmien spiccaw biex gew ohrajn. Nemmnu li anki l-kultura li qeghdin nghixu llum, ghad jghaddi zmienha”. Hu qal li l-fatt li 54 fil-mija tal-poplu jmur il-Knisja, jaraha bhala sfida, ghax juri li hemm hafna nies ohrajn li l-Knisja ghandha missjoni biex twasslilhom messagg.

Il-mawra ta’ l-Arcisqof Cremona O.P. fl-Università bdiet billi ltaqa’ mal-kunsill tal-kappella u wara ghamel zjara lill-istess kappella. Fid-9.00 ta’ fil-ghodu ltaqa’ mar-Rettur u l-ufficjali gholja ta’ l-Università. Kellu laqgha informali kemm ma’ l-istaff fil-bini ta’ l-amministrazzjoni, ma’ l-istaff tekniku u anke mal-Fakultà tat-Teologija. Kellu laqgha ukoll mal-Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) u wara ltaqa’ ma’ l-assocjazzjonijiet ta’ l-istudenti fl-Università.

Wara l-laqgha ma’ l-istudenti fis-Sala Sir Temi Zammit, hu ghamel funzjoni ta’ l-Erbgha ta’ l-Irmied fil-Kappella ta’ l-Università u hawwel sigra taz-zebbug hdejn il-kappella. Iz-zjara ntemmet b’ikla mal-komunità tal-Gizwiti f’Dar Patri Manwel Magri.