Times: Against gay marriage

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120411/letters/Against-gay-marriage.414935
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 by Carmel Attard, Dickson, Australia

I oppose gay marriage because, firstly, it is against God's law.

Secondly, what is marriage? Marriage is a natural contract whose main aim is to have children. A gay marriage is not a natural contract because gays cannot have children.

Thirdly, children who are brought up in a gay relationship are being robbed. They will constitute a stolen generation. They will be robbed of their right to have a father or a mother.

Finally, if we are not going to discriminate on the basis of sex, why should we discriminate on the basis of number? Why don't we allow a woman to marry six men or vice versa?

Spiegel: Discrimination in Russia - Arrests for Violation of St. Petersburg Anti-Gay Law

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,826199,00.html
6 April 2012; AFP



Police detain a gay rights activist in St. Petersburg on Thursday.

In St. Petersburg, Russia, two men were arrested on Thursday for holding up a sign reading "Homosexuality Is Normal." It marks the first arrests on the strength of the city's new law against disseminating information on homosexuality.

For the first time, police in St. Petersburg, Russia, have made arrests on the strength of a new law banning the dissemination of information on homo-, bi- and transsexuality. Two men were arrested in the city center on Thursday after holding up a sign reading "Homosexuality Is Normal," according to the newswire Interfax.

Russia's second-largest city passed the controversial law on Feb. 29. The two men now face a possible maximum fine of 500,000 rubles (€12,800/$17,000). The maximum penalty is more than the average annual income in Russia.
The law bans films, music videos, books and newspapers that contain homosexual content as well as the rainbow flag, which is a common symbol of gay pride. And the ban may soon no longer be limited to just St. Petersburg and other cities in Russia. At the end of March, Vladimir Putin's United Russia party introduced a bill in the country's parliament, the Duma, which would impose the ban at the national level.

"We are trying to protect our society from homosexual propaganda," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Russian radio three weeks ago.

'Path to the Dark Ages'

German Green Party parliamentarian Volker Beck -- who, like German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, is openly gay -- said the bill is a "hate law" and that Russia is on the "path to the Dark Ages." In the past, Beck has attended anti-homophobia rallies in Russia.
Homophobia remains widespread in Russia, and it is an open secret in the country that many public figures have sought to hide their sexual preferences by entering into marriages of convenience. The Russian Orthodox Church views homosexuality as a sin, and it was only in 1999 that homosexuality was stricken from the list of mental illnesses in the country.

Vitaly Milonov, the United Russia politician who is one of the initiators of the proposal for a nationwide ban in the Duma, accused the German band Rammstein of "gay propaganda" earlier this spring. He also warned the American singer Madonna against transgressing the law at a planned summer concert. Madonna, for her part, has said she plans on defying it.

cgh -- with wire reports

FRA: European LGBT Survey [English / Malti]

European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

STĦARRIĠ EWROPEW DWAR PERSUNI LGBT IMNIEDI MILL-FRA:

Minbarra rapporti ta’ aħbarijiet okkażjonali dwar id-diskriminazzjoni kontra persuni lesbjani, gay, bisesswali u trans (LGBT), hemm ftit ħafna data komparabbli miġbura madwar l-UE dwar l-esperjenzi tal-ħajja ta’ kuljum ta’ persuni LGBT fir-rigward tad-diskriminazzjoni. B’reazzjoni għal din is-sitwazzjoni, l-Aġenzija Ewropeja għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali (FRA) niediet l-ewwel stħarriġ online fl-UE kollha biex tistabbilixxi stampa preċiża tal-ħajja ta’ persuni lesbjani, gay, bisesswali u trans (18-il sena ‘l fuq) u tipprova taqbad l-aħjar impressjoni tal-esperjenzi tagħhom. L-istħarriġ ikopri is-27 Stat Membru (inkluż Malta) u l-Kroazja.
Bħala l-ewwel stħarriġ ta’ din ix-xorta li qed isir fl-UE kollha, ir-riżultati ser jappoġġjaw l-iżvilupp ta’ politika (policies) ta’ trattament ugwali għall-persuni LGBT fl-Unjoni Ewropea, u għandhom jistabbilixxu l-aġenda għas-snin li ġejjin. Abbażi tar-riżultati tal-istħarriġ, dawk li jfasslu l-politika nazzjonali u Ewropea, kif ukoll organizzazzjonijiet mhux governattivi, se jkunu jistgħu jimmiraw l-istrateġiji t’avukatura u attivitajiet ta’ appoġġ għall-kommunitajiet LGBT biex jgħixu u jesprimu ruħhom liberament f’ambjent mhux diskriminatorju.
L-istħarriġ huwa kompletament anonimu (l-ebda data dwar il-parteċipanti u s-sessjonijiet tagħhom mhiex reġistrata b’xi mod). L-istħarriġ huwa mħaddem mill-Gallup, kumpanija ta’ stħarriġ professjonali u ta’ konsulenza.
Sabiex jingħata piż lir-riżultati, l-Istħarriġ Ewropew dwar Persuni LGBT jiddependi fuq il-parteċipazzjoni ta’ grupp kbir u divers ta’ persuni lesbjani, gay, bisesswali u trans minn kull pajjiż. Għalhekk, huwa importanti ħafna għas-suċċess tal-istħarriġ li jilħaq grupp wiesgħa permezz ta’ parteċipanti li jibagħtu l-istħarriġ bl-imejl, jaqsmuh permezz tal-midja soċjali jew sempliċiment jistiednu ħbieb LGBT biex jieħdu sehem.

http://lgbtsurvey.eu/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StharrigLGBT
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/StarrigLGBT

EUROPEAN LGBT SURVEY LAUNCHED BY FRA:

Besides occasional news reports about discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people, there is very little comparable data collected across the EU about the everyday experiences of LGBT people with respect of discrimination. In response to this situation, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has launched the first ever online EU-wide survey to establish an accurate picture of the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (18 years or older) that will try to capture their experiences. The survey covers the 27 EU Member States (including Malta) and Croatia.

As the first EU-wide survey of its kind, the results will support the development of equal treatment policies for LGBT people in the European Union and should set the agenda for years to come. Based on the survey results, national and European policy makers, as well as non-governmental organisations, will be able to better target their advocacy strategies and activities to support LGBT communities to live and express themselves freely in a non-discriminatory environment.

The survey is completely anonymous (no data on the participants and their sessions are logged in any way). The survey is operated by Gallup, a professional survey and consultancy firm.

In order to give weight to the results, the European LGBT Survey counts on the participation of a large and diverse group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people from each country. Hence, it is vitally important for the success of the survey that it reaches a wide target group through participants emailing the survey, sharing it through social media or simply inviting LGBT friends to take part.

https://lgbtsurvey.eu/.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StharrigLGBT
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/StarrigLGBT

OSLO DECLARATION ON HIV CRIMINALISATION

http://www.hivjustice.net/oslo/
Oslo 13.2.2012

A growing body of evidence suggests that the criminalisation of HIV non-disclosure, potential exposure and non-intentional transmission is doing more harm than good in terms of its impact on public health and human rights.[1]

A better alternative to the use of the criminal law are measures that create an environment that enables people to seek testing, support and timely treatment, and to safely disclose their HIV status.[2]

Independent UK: St Petersburg: Gay communities living in fear

As Russia launches a new legal crackdown, homosexuality is becoming a love that dare not speak its name

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/st-petersburg-gay-communities-living-in-fear-7604065.html

SATURDAY 31 MARCH 2012

"I've told my husband I am leaving him, and I've told my parents that I've met someone I am truly in love with and am leaving my marriage," says Anna. The rest of the group, sitting on plastic chairs arranged in a circle, listen attentively. "I just don't know how to tell them yet that the other person is a woman."

Once a week, on a Monday evening, the group gathers in a conference room near the Moscow railway station in St Petersburg. Gay people come to tell their stories and to get advice on how to break the news of their sexuality to their parents. In Russia, where there is little sex education at school and widespread homophobia, breaking the news to family and friends can be difficult, and on hand to advise are a number of gay young people and their mothers, who have gone through the process themselves and want to help others.

Pink News: Maltese government set to propose civil partnerships

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/03/28/maltese-government-set-to-propose-civil-partnerships/
28 March 2012, 10:58am by Christopher Brocklebank

The Maltese government is set to propose civil partnerships for gay couples. The country’s justice minister is to pilot a cohabitation law, which will propose the regulation of same-sex relationships.

Chris Siad, the justice minister in question, told Malta Today: “The bill on co-habitation will be discussed in Cabinet and within the Parliamentary Group shortly. It will be presented to Parliament soon after.

“The government’s position is that the relationship between gay couples should be regulated by the law regulating cohabitation, including the institute of civil partnerships.”

Until now, the Maltese government has refrained from making their position on same-sex unions clear. This new stance could, it is hoped, pave the way for a full-on battle for the liberal vote between the established Maltese political parties.

The government’s position on same-sex unions hews to the Nationalist Party’s new basic principles, which say that a state should “legislate to establish the rights and obligations that should govern personal relationships; both heterosexual and homosexual.”

The proposed law will, then, provide legal recognition to same-sex partners. In Malta same-sex marriages are not legal and there is no other legislation regulating such relationships.

[Comments]

EP LGBT Intergroup: European Parliament stands up for same-sex families’ free movement

http://www.lgbt-ep.eu/press-releases/european-parliament-stands-up-for-same-sex-families-free-movement/
March 29th, 2012

Today the European Parliament adopted its annual report on EU citizenship, in which it laments that same-sex couples and their families still face disproportionate obstacles when moving inside the European union.

In the EU Citizenship Report 2010: Dismantling the obstacles to EU citizens’ rights, the European Parliament “reiterates its previous calls for Member States to ensure freedom of movement for all EU citizens and their families, without discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or nationality”.

Specifically, the Parliament reminds Member States that they must implement the rights granted under the Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC), not only to married heterosexual couples, but also to registered partners and same-sex spouses.

Currently, several Member States discriminate against same-sex couples who want to move or travel to their territory, despite the EU law asking that they be treated the same way as different-sex couples.

Malta Today: If the PN says I do...

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/If-the-PN-says-I-do-20120329
Thursday 29 March 2012 - 13:31 by  James Debono

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando’s unconfirmed (but not denied) claim that Simon Busuttil agrees with the recognition of same sex unions, raises the question of how far the PN is willing to go to become palatable to liberal voters again.

 

Having pushed the envelope with last year's divorce referendum, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando is testing the limits of his party's coalition of conservatives and liberals with a proposal on gay marriage.

In a recent interview with MaltaToday, Simon Busuttil described the PN as a coalition of Christian conservatives, Christian liberals and some liberals who might not even be Christian at all, adding that it has been so since the 1970s.

What is certain is that this coalition was seriously undermined by last year's divorce referendum, which - providentially for the PN - took place two full years before the electoral deadline.

Now, an opportunity to exorcise these unhappy memories has presented itself for the PN. Once again it takes the shape of a Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando proposal, this time to formally recognise gay marriage. It also coincides with the final drafting of the cohabitation law, under the tutelage of Chris Said, a perceived moderate.

Times: Milkshake seeks to dismantle taboos

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120329/local/Milkshake-seeks-to-dismantle-taboos.413166

Thursday, March 29, 2012 by Claudia Calleja


Photo: Alexandra Pace

A wrinkled woman wearing black underwear and high heels stands in front of multiple mirrors that show different angles of her half-naked body.

But a closer look at the somewhat unsettling image reveals the model’s Adam’s apple and other male features.

It is a photograph by artist Phil Sayers, one in a series of works of art that explore different forms of unconventional sexuality in Malta through a year-long project called Milkshake.


Telephone box sculpture: Emanuel Bonnici, Self-portrait (right): Phil Sayers

“This project aims to dismantle taboos... It is a celebration of local diversity,” project coordinator Gilbert Calleja said.

“We are aware that prejudice against LGBT individuals still exists and difficulties are experienced on a daily basis but we are positive that this project – thanks to the work and dedication of all the creative people involved – will help change people’s perceptions and open minds further,” he said.

Mr Calleja is partnering with the Malta Gay Rights Movement to bring together local and international artists and authors to explore and expose “the queer body” and unconventional sexual relationships.

Artists are invited to come up with works that approach issues of masculinity and femininity to take part in an exhibition. Events, to be spread across the year, will include a weekend workshop, a photographic publication depicting the way transgender people live and a live performance.

All events will take place at St James Cavalier Cen­tre for Creativity in Valletta.


Sculpture: Emanuel Bonnici

“This is an exciting opportunity to shed light on lived expressions of genders and sexualities in Malta, expressions that are not necessarily popular or known to many,” Ruth Baldacchino, from the Malta Gay Rights Movement, said.

Mr Calleja explained that the name of the project, Milkshake, was chosen because the word carried “both a combination of sexual innuendoes and a wealth of cultural metaphors connecting milk with the idea of life, maternity and survival”.

The project is sponsored by the Malta Arts Fund.

For information visit milkshaketheproject@gmail.com, the blog http://milkshaketheproject.wordpress.com or the Facebook page.

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]

Malta Today: Government to propose civil partnerships for gay couples

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Government-to-propose-civil-partnerships-for-gay-couples-20120327
Wednesday 28 March 2012 - 08:14 by Jurgen Balzan

Justice Minister Chris Said piloting the draft law on cohabitation says that the law will propose civil partnerships for gay couples.

Relationships between gay couples will be regulated by the law regulating cohabitation, including the institute of civil partnership. 

The justice minister Chris Said, who is piloting the cohabitation law, said that the government will propose the regulation of same-sex relationships.

Asked by MaltaToday whether the government intends to propose legislation in regards to same-sex unions, Said said "The bill on co-habitation will be discussed in Cabinet and within the Parliamentary Group shortly. It will be presented to Parliament soon after."

The justice minister added "Government's position is that the relationship between gay couples should be regulated by the law regulating cohabitation, including the institute of civil partnership."

This is the first time the government has expressed itself clearly on same-sex unions and might pave the way for a fully fledged battle for the liberal vote between all the established political parties.

Government's position on same-sex unions follows the Nationalist Party's adoption of 'Our Roots', the party's new basic principles. The document explains that the PN believes that a "state that should legislate to establish the rights and obligations that should govern personal relationships; both heterosexual and homosexual."

The proposed law will, for the first time ever, provide legal recognition to same-sex partners. In Malta same-sex marriages are not legal and there is no other legislation regulating same-sex relationships.

Under the helm of Joseph Muscat, Labour has championed a liberal agenda, including divorce and gay rights without actually taking an official stand. As with divorce, the party leader has taken a stand in favour of civil unions however the party has declined from taking an official stand. However, the party has declared that it will include this proposal in its electoral manifesto.

On the other hand, Alternattiva Demokratika is the only political party to have taken a consistent stand in favour of same-sex unions. To date, the greens are the only party that advocates gay unions on a par with marriage between heterosexual couples.

The gay lobby also puts same-sex unions on the same level as marriage. In January, the Malta Gay Rights Movement presented a position paper advocating the best options for the legislation of same-sex marriage and families in Malta. The paper provides a legal framework for same-sex couples to be married and enjoy the rights and obligations that are incumbent upon married couples.

Last week, PN backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said that his position in favour of gay unions was backed by the Prime Minister's special envoy and probable PN leadership contestant, Simon Busuttil.

Asked to confirm or deny Pullicino Orlando's claims, Busuttil said "I have no comment to make on private conversations." Busuttil was pressed to explain his personal position in regards to gay unions as against gay marriages, however no reply was received by the time we went to print.

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on Malta Today's website.]