http://www.maltatoday.com.mt (article not available online yet)
13th July 2008
Evarist Saliba, Swieqi
I learn from the article by Evarist Bartolo (6 July) that the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) had requested all political parties before the last election to legalise the rights of same-sex couples, to make violence against homosexuals a criminal offence, to address bullying against homosexuals in schools, to prohibit discrimination against them in the delivery of goods and services, for the National Commission or the Promotion of Equality to cater for the grounds (?) of sexual orientation and the inclusion of sexual reassignment, etc, etc.
I find the shopping order from homosexuals rather confusing. Are we to understand that violence, bullying and discrimination against anyone is to be accepted, as long as the person is not homosexual?
This is what the MGRM are after, if Evarist Bartolo has reflected correctly on the document in his possession. It seems that some consider themselves more equal than others. Violence, bullying and unjustified discrimination, are, or should be, illegal, irrespective of whether the victim is heterosexual or a homosexual.
I shall not enter into the realm of gender reassignment, especially as I am rather confused at the moment, having read about the person who chose to become a man and then to give birth to a baby. I am sure that there are those who look on this as the height of human liberal achievement. Even at the risk of being called all types of names, I would rather be counted with those who disagree.
With all due respect to the Spanish Prime Minister, I do not think that the law that he passed through the Cortes has changed the basic fact that the human race has been created, and/or has evolved, into males and females who are biologically meant to pair with each other to produce offspring. The civilised world has come to call this pairing marriage. Yes, nature does produce exceptions which prove the rule. This should not be an excuse to pervert the truth.
Let us be tolerant by all means, and let tolerance be genuine to the point of accommodation. But I do not accept that accommodation should be interpreted as accepting the views of homosexuals as expressed in the article by Evarist Bartolo.
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Times: A musing
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080713/local/a-musing
Sunday, 13th July 2008
Ariadne Massa
Toscano: "To people who are straight, I understand you don't get it, but it doesn't mean it's wrong."
With his infectious smile, spirited remarks and positive energy, it's hard to imagine how Toscano suppressed his true being for 17 years to fit in society's pigeonhole of 'straight' people. At 43, the long traumatic journey has failed to etch wrinkles in his flawless complexion, which he attributes to daily moisturiser and veganism.
"I knew I was different at six. I was on a cabin cruiser with my family and I was staring at these beautiful lace curtains and I just wanted to touch them. Suddenly my uncle roars: 'Don't wipe your hands on those!' " he says, smiling.
By the time he was eight, he had crushes on his male teachers , which he kept to himself.
"I got the message pretty quickly that boys are supposed to like girls, and I heard bad things about homos, fags and queers," he adds.
Raised a Catholic and fascinated by spirituality, Toscano contemplated becoming a priest because being celibate meant he did not have to deal with his sexuality. He even went on a Capuchins' retreat and that was where he confided in a priest.
"He said God could heal me. He had me lie on the ground and prayed to drive the evil out of me. That was my first exorcism," he recalls.
Not finding the solution in the Catholic Church, at 18 he joined the Protestant Christians because the pastor told him God would "fix it". This did not work either, so he joined an ex-gay group in New York.
"This was at the height of the AIDS crisis so it was yet another example of evil," he says.
So why did he refuse to accept himself and prolong the agony?
"I wanted to be a missionary, but I needed to tackle this problem, because I was told I couldn't be gay and Christian," he said.
"I swallowed the lies that as a gay I couldn't be trusted, so I put my trust in older, wiser, straight men. The 10th Commandment says not to covet thy neighbour's wife, but I was coveting my straight neighbour's life."
So intent was he on becoming straight that at 25 he married a woman. She knew his concerns, but the pastor encouraged it and they both believed God would work a miracle.
"We were compatible companions, but I never desired her sexually, which must be one of the cruellest things a woman must face. I battled with depression and even contemplated suicide," he says.
After five years his marriage broke down and he enrolled in the ex-gay residential programme, Love in Action, which he graduated successfully from two years later. This period in life inspired his successful comedy Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo' Halfway House.
After being a "phantom of myself", he finally saw the light in December 1998, at the age of 33. Together with ex-gay survivor, Christine Bakke, he went on to set up Beyond Ex-Gay, an online resource for ex-gay survivors, and speaks regularly about the harm of therapies to change gays.
Toscano's advice to gay people is: "It's not easy or convenient, but if we're ashamed of ourselves, it's as if we give them permission to treat us shamefully."
His brain finally cleared, he started doing what he loves best - acting and stand-up comedy, earning a global reputation for his work, featuring in The New York Times, People Magazine and The Tyra Banks Show, among others.
He is now in Malta to present two performances: The Re-education of George W. Bush on Friday, and the Transfiguration, Transgressing Gender in the Bible on Saturday, at Warehouse 8, in Marsa (park near BoV and follow the signs), at 9 p.m.
"The Re-education of George W. Bush is not just about bashing Bush; it looks at issues of racism and sexism. We all have a little George Bush inside us, we just have to re-educate him. It weaves comedy and pathos and raises a lot of questions. For some people it's a bumpy ride," he says.
Peterson is in Malta on the invitation of Drachma, a Catholic group of gay people. For tickets call on 7940 4134.
Sunday, 13th July 2008
Ariadne Massa
Toscano: "To people who are straight, I understand you don't get it, but it doesn't mean it's wrong."
With his infectious smile, spirited remarks and positive energy, it's hard to imagine how Toscano suppressed his true being for 17 years to fit in society's pigeonhole of 'straight' people. At 43, the long traumatic journey has failed to etch wrinkles in his flawless complexion, which he attributes to daily moisturiser and veganism.
"I knew I was different at six. I was on a cabin cruiser with my family and I was staring at these beautiful lace curtains and I just wanted to touch them. Suddenly my uncle roars: 'Don't wipe your hands on those!' " he says, smiling.
By the time he was eight, he had crushes on his male teachers , which he kept to himself.
"I got the message pretty quickly that boys are supposed to like girls, and I heard bad things about homos, fags and queers," he adds.
Raised a Catholic and fascinated by spirituality, Toscano contemplated becoming a priest because being celibate meant he did not have to deal with his sexuality. He even went on a Capuchins' retreat and that was where he confided in a priest.
"He said God could heal me. He had me lie on the ground and prayed to drive the evil out of me. That was my first exorcism," he recalls.
Not finding the solution in the Catholic Church, at 18 he joined the Protestant Christians because the pastor told him God would "fix it". This did not work either, so he joined an ex-gay group in New York.
"This was at the height of the AIDS crisis so it was yet another example of evil," he says.
So why did he refuse to accept himself and prolong the agony?
"I wanted to be a missionary, but I needed to tackle this problem, because I was told I couldn't be gay and Christian," he said.
"I swallowed the lies that as a gay I couldn't be trusted, so I put my trust in older, wiser, straight men. The 10th Commandment says not to covet thy neighbour's wife, but I was coveting my straight neighbour's life."
So intent was he on becoming straight that at 25 he married a woman. She knew his concerns, but the pastor encouraged it and they both believed God would work a miracle.
"We were compatible companions, but I never desired her sexually, which must be one of the cruellest things a woman must face. I battled with depression and even contemplated suicide," he says.
After five years his marriage broke down and he enrolled in the ex-gay residential programme, Love in Action, which he graduated successfully from two years later. This period in life inspired his successful comedy Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo' Halfway House.
After being a "phantom of myself", he finally saw the light in December 1998, at the age of 33. Together with ex-gay survivor, Christine Bakke, he went on to set up Beyond Ex-Gay, an online resource for ex-gay survivors, and speaks regularly about the harm of therapies to change gays.
Toscano's advice to gay people is: "It's not easy or convenient, but if we're ashamed of ourselves, it's as if we give them permission to treat us shamefully."
His brain finally cleared, he started doing what he loves best - acting and stand-up comedy, earning a global reputation for his work, featuring in The New York Times, People Magazine and The Tyra Banks Show, among others.
He is now in Malta to present two performances: The Re-education of George W. Bush on Friday, and the Transfiguration, Transgressing Gender in the Bible on Saturday, at Warehouse 8, in Marsa (park near BoV and follow the signs), at 9 p.m.
"The Re-education of George W. Bush is not just about bashing Bush; it looks at issues of racism and sexism. We all have a little George Bush inside us, we just have to re-educate him. It weaves comedy and pathos and raises a lot of questions. For some people it's a bumpy ride," he says.
Peterson is in Malta on the invitation of Drachma, a Catholic group of gay people. For tickets call on 7940 4134.
Times: Interview with John Dalli MP: Mater Dei is a €600m 'part-time' hospital
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080713/interview/mater-dei-is-a-euro-600m-part-time-hospital
Sunday, 13th July 2008
Herman Grech
Excerpts from the Interview:
Mr Dalli clearly wants to leave his mark on his new job and says he is enjoying steering the social policy ministry. However, he is quick to point out that he is "terrified at the way Maltese society is losing its robustness, its cultural and traditional strength."
He describes recently-released statistics as "terrifying", and says he is getting all the advice he can to provide social support for "the traditional family".
In view of such alarming statistics, should Malta start discussing the introduction of divorce?
"I think a discussion on divorce should start, and it should be a serious debate, steering away from emotions. We should avoid discussing certain aspects, which should not get into the debate."
Such as the Church?
"The Church rightly has its own position. I believe religion is a personal matter and if I'm Catholic, it's up to me to analyse the Ten Commandments and the Church's project. But I shouldn't impose social systems on others. I believe it's high time to start discussion on divorce in Malta. But we have to be careful not to go to extremes since the destruction of families is not pleasant."
Is he saying that divorce brings about 'destruction'?
"If divorce is easily attainable, if couples split up after a single argument, then yes, it will destroy families. If divorce means the level of tolerance towards our partners' mistakes will go down, then the effect will be negative.
"But if divorce encourages couples to embark on the road to understanding each other and reconciling as much as possible, then yes - we should seek that path. In my opinion, if divorce offers couples the opportunity to seek other social ties where relationships are irreconcilable, especially where children are concerned, then it is a positive thing."
Considering the statistics in hand, is he willing to engage in a discussion for the introduction of divorce at once? "Yes, as Minister for Social Policy, I am willing to engage in this important topic... of course, though, something like this is subject to a Cabinet decision."
However, he was coy when asked whether divorce could be introduced during this legislature. "Don't draw me into that for the time being, but I think we should engage in some serious discussion. I have not made a formal proposal to the Prime Minister but I intend doing it."
Is the issue of divorce a priority for his ministry?
"The priority list in this ministry is long and divorce is one of the priorities, but now that the White Paper on rent reform is out, in my opinion we should tackle health next, while looking at the welfare system and social systems... including divorce."
Sunday, 13th July 2008
Herman Grech
Excerpts from the Interview:
Mr Dalli clearly wants to leave his mark on his new job and says he is enjoying steering the social policy ministry. However, he is quick to point out that he is "terrified at the way Maltese society is losing its robustness, its cultural and traditional strength."
He describes recently-released statistics as "terrifying", and says he is getting all the advice he can to provide social support for "the traditional family".
In view of such alarming statistics, should Malta start discussing the introduction of divorce?
"I think a discussion on divorce should start, and it should be a serious debate, steering away from emotions. We should avoid discussing certain aspects, which should not get into the debate."
Such as the Church?
"The Church rightly has its own position. I believe religion is a personal matter and if I'm Catholic, it's up to me to analyse the Ten Commandments and the Church's project. But I shouldn't impose social systems on others. I believe it's high time to start discussion on divorce in Malta. But we have to be careful not to go to extremes since the destruction of families is not pleasant."
Is he saying that divorce brings about 'destruction'?
"If divorce is easily attainable, if couples split up after a single argument, then yes, it will destroy families. If divorce means the level of tolerance towards our partners' mistakes will go down, then the effect will be negative.
"But if divorce encourages couples to embark on the road to understanding each other and reconciling as much as possible, then yes - we should seek that path. In my opinion, if divorce offers couples the opportunity to seek other social ties where relationships are irreconcilable, especially where children are concerned, then it is a positive thing."
Considering the statistics in hand, is he willing to engage in a discussion for the introduction of divorce at once? "Yes, as Minister for Social Policy, I am willing to engage in this important topic... of course, though, something like this is subject to a Cabinet decision."
However, he was coy when asked whether divorce could be introduced during this legislature. "Don't draw me into that for the time being, but I think we should engage in some serious discussion. I have not made a formal proposal to the Prime Minister but I intend doing it."
Is the issue of divorce a priority for his ministry?
"The priority list in this ministry is long and divorce is one of the priorities, but now that the White Paper on rent reform is out, in my opinion we should tackle health next, while looking at the welfare system and social systems... including divorce."
Times: Paceville Gay Pride march calls for human rights
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080713/local/paceville-gay-pride-march-calls-for-human-rights
Sunday, 13th July 2008
Christian Peregin
Last night's Gay Pride march culminated in a heartfelt speech by Malta Gay Rights Movement chairman Gabi Calleja, who called for human rights to stop being denied to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
"I already have the right to marry, start a family and be free from harassment and discrimination, because these rights belong to all of us. To take these rights away from me is to believe I was a lesser form of human being," she told the crowd that gathered for the event at Paceville last night.
"When the Malta Gay Rights Movement asks politicians to grant legal recognition to same sex partnerships, what we are demanding is to be allowed to exercise an already existing right. And every day that goes by without that legislation is a violation of that right," she said.
Participants at the march walked from the Baystreet complex to the gay nightclub Klozet in Paceville, where a street party was held featuring performances by popular artists Ira Losco, Miriam Christine Borg, Claudia Faniello and Kristina Casolani, among others.
The event also included speeches by representatives of the Nationalist Party, the Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika.
"We want to urge you to live your lives fully, free from fear of harassment and discrimination. We encourage you to rejoice in your relationships and to express your love openly for it is what makes our lives worth living and what most distinguishes us as human beings," Ms Calleja said, explaining this year's theme 'Live, Love, Be'.
Sunday, 13th July 2008
Christian Peregin
Last night's Gay Pride march culminated in a heartfelt speech by Malta Gay Rights Movement chairman Gabi Calleja, who called for human rights to stop being denied to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
"I already have the right to marry, start a family and be free from harassment and discrimination, because these rights belong to all of us. To take these rights away from me is to believe I was a lesser form of human being," she told the crowd that gathered for the event at Paceville last night.
"When the Malta Gay Rights Movement asks politicians to grant legal recognition to same sex partnerships, what we are demanding is to be allowed to exercise an already existing right. And every day that goes by without that legislation is a violation of that right," she said.
Participants at the march walked from the Baystreet complex to the gay nightclub Klozet in Paceville, where a street party was held featuring performances by popular artists Ira Losco, Miriam Christine Borg, Claudia Faniello and Kristina Casolani, among others.
The event also included speeches by representatives of the Nationalist Party, the Labour Party and Alternattiva Demokratika.
"We want to urge you to live your lives fully, free from fear of harassment and discrimination. We encourage you to rejoice in your relationships and to express your love openly for it is what makes our lives worth living and what most distinguishes us as human beings," Ms Calleja said, explaining this year's theme 'Live, Love, Be'.
Times: Malta is ideal for solar, wind energy - AD
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080713/local/malta-is-ideal-for-solar-wind-energy-ad
Sunday, 13th July 2008
Christian Peregin
It was unacceptable for Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt to say that alternative energy was not feasible, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola said yesterday.
Speaking during a press conference, Dr Cassola said that 10 per cent of Malta's energy must come from renewable sources by 2020, as stipulated by the EU, but he urged the government to push for higher targets. He also said the island was an ideal location for solar and wind energy.
However, AD yesterday made it clear it wanted to break away from the environmental stereotype and yesterday announced a team of 12 spokesmen to cover a range of issues.
"We shall focus on a wide range of economic, social and ecological matters, which are of interest to Maltese society," Dr Cassola said, while stressing that the environment would continue to be the soul of the party.
The team includes two women, one of whom, Deborah Zahra, has just reached voting age and will be the spokesman for youth. Mary Anne Zammit will be spokesman for social protection and health.
Another new addition is German- born Henrik Piski, an IT specialist who will be spokesman for Communications and IT. Engineer Patrick Attard will continue to be spokesman for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, an area which no other political party has designated. One of AD's main aims is to drive a campaign for the introduction of a public transport system which will be more comfortable and efficient to use than private cars, Dr Cassola said.
Another core issue for AD regards the increasing number of respiratory diseases caused by pollution.
"We want to reduce government spending on medication by improving air quality," he said.
Sunday, 13th July 2008
Christian Peregin
It was unacceptable for Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt to say that alternative energy was not feasible, Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola said yesterday.
Speaking during a press conference, Dr Cassola said that 10 per cent of Malta's energy must come from renewable sources by 2020, as stipulated by the EU, but he urged the government to push for higher targets. He also said the island was an ideal location for solar and wind energy.
However, AD yesterday made it clear it wanted to break away from the environmental stereotype and yesterday announced a team of 12 spokesmen to cover a range of issues.
"We shall focus on a wide range of economic, social and ecological matters, which are of interest to Maltese society," Dr Cassola said, while stressing that the environment would continue to be the soul of the party.
The team includes two women, one of whom, Deborah Zahra, has just reached voting age and will be the spokesman for youth. Mary Anne Zammit will be spokesman for social protection and health.
Another new addition is German- born Henrik Piski, an IT specialist who will be spokesman for Communications and IT. Engineer Patrick Attard will continue to be spokesman for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, an area which no other political party has designated. One of AD's main aims is to drive a campaign for the introduction of a public transport system which will be more comfortable and efficient to use than private cars, Dr Cassola said.
Another core issue for AD regards the increasing number of respiratory diseases caused by pollution.
"We want to reduce government spending on medication by improving air quality," he said.
Washington Post: U.S. Seeks Data Exchange
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/07/AR2008070702459.html
By Ellen Nakashima
Washington Post Staff WriterBy Ellen Nakashima
Tuesday, July 8, 2008; Page D01
The United States is negotiating deals with European countries to exchange fingerprint and DNA data in criminal and terrorist cases, and in some circumstances to transfer data on race or ethnic origin, political and religious beliefs, or sexual orientation.
Such agreements are a condition for granting citizens of newer European Union member states the right to enter the United States without visas, and for maintaining that right for older E.U. members. U.S. citizens already enjoy such a right when traveling to Europe.
Senior Bush administration officials said the data exchange is crucial for spotting dangerous people before they enter the United States and for furthering criminal and terrorist investigations.
The United States and the E.U. have been negotiating a separate, broad agreement on commercial data protection. But European privacy officials are concerned that the emerging bilateral pacts will not adequately protect people's privacy. And U.S. privacy advocates are concerned about the potential transfer of sensitive information on U.S. citizens to Europe.
The bilateral pacts augment the airline passenger record agreement reached last year with the E.U., which requires airlines flying here from abroad to transfer data on passengers to U.S. security agencies. They also complement a series of bilateral agreements to exchange screening data on known or suspected terrorists, which exclude data on race, religious beliefs and other sensitive items.
"So if we arrest someone who's a German national and we take his fingerprints, we do have the opportunity to send those fingerprints to Germany to say, 'Do you know anything about this person?' " said Stewart A. Baker, assistant secretary for policy at the Department of Homeland Security. "European governments are entering into these agreements much more readily than they were four, five years ago, because concerns about terrorism are no longer confined to one side of the Atlantic."But some European lawmakers fear that, taken together, the accords will lead to a far-reaching exchange of personal data without appropriate safeguards and that eventually the United States will seek access to Europe-wide databases. "We seem to be opening the floodgates, left, right and center," said Sophie in't Veld, a European Parliament member from the Netherlands. "It seems to me there are hardly any restrictions left."
In March, the United States and Germany reached a preliminary agreement on sharing access to fingerprints, DNA files and other information for the prevention and combating of serious crime. The pact is expected to be the model for other bilateral agreements, European officials said. The United States is also holding talks with central and eastern European countries such as Estonia, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Access to fingerprint files will be on a "hit, no hit" basis, explained Peter Schaar, German data protection commissioner. If one country asks the other to check a fingerprint and there is a match, or hit, the inquiring country would need to follow up with a request for more information on the subject's identity.
The agreement, which was described by two European officials, also allows for the transmission of "personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinion or religious or other beliefs, trade union membership or information concerning health and sexual life" in cases where they are "particularly relevant to the purposes of this agreement." It defines personal data as "any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person."
The agreement also specifies that the parties, "recognizing the special sensitivity of the above categories of personal data, shall take suitable safeguards, in particular, appropriate security measures, in order to protect such data."
Baker said that means the United States would not hand over data on a suspect's religious beliefs unless it were relevant to an investigation, as in a terrorism plot involving Islamic extremists.
He said the United States has agreed to limit the purpose for which the data are sought, not to share it with other governments and not to retain data if they are no longer useful -- if there is no match on a fingerprint, for instance. He said errors in records will be corrected.
But Schaar, who is independent from the government, said he found no "clear rules on purpose limitation" or on the storage period. "First," he said, "which data are of concern is not really completely clear. Second, who are the competent authorities on the U.S. side? Third, and most important, there is a lack of independent supervision in the United States over data protection." In European states, independent privacy commissions safeguard the privacy rights of citizens, he said.
David Sobel, senior counsel for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said transparency is an issue. "It's all well and good to say the Estonian government will provide a right of access and redress, but under what circumstances is an American citizen going to know that the Estonian government has even received his information?"
Germany's president is expected to authorize the signing of the German agreement soon. Its Parliament must pass implementing legislation.
One official from a European state seeking visa-free status said he hopes the pacts will allow his country to obtain such status by the end of the year. "The United States is a close ally of ours," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the talks' sensitivity. "Obviously, counterterrorism and the fight against crime is a huge priority for the U.S. and my government, as well."
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Times: 'Rights' and values in the European Union
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080710/letters/rights-and-values-in-the-european-union
Thursday, 10th July 2008, Evarist Saliba, Ta' l-Ibraġ
I have read the short report Europe Going Through Crises Of Values (July 7) in which the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, lamented that the European Community is denying universal and absolute values on which it is built. I could not but contrast it with the far longer report entitled Maltese Law "Discriminates" On Same-Sex Partners carried prominently on the front page of The Times on July 1. This was convenient timing to suit the imminent gay parade. Was this a coincidence or a planned strategy?
If the EU Fundamental Rights Agency is truly concerned about discrimination of this type, why does it not mention the "rights" of those who practise polygamy and polyandry? Is it because it believes that some are more equal than others, or is it because it is following a specific agenda?
Since I have not read the report in question it could be that it is the reporter who introduced the bias, but I have my doubts.
Perhaps our Europarliamentarians could illuminate the public on the standing of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency. The press report gives the impression that this agency has the right to censure member states for not implementing laws which it considers indispensible, when the EU itself is not competent to impose on its members laws on same-sex unions. Is this a case of pushing in through the window what is not permissable to pass through the door? Could this be one of the fears that the EU Brussels bureaucracy, in its widest sense, is sowing among great sections of the people of Europe?
Thursday, 10th July 2008, Evarist Saliba, Ta' l-Ibraġ
I have read the short report Europe Going Through Crises Of Values (July 7) in which the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, lamented that the European Community is denying universal and absolute values on which it is built. I could not but contrast it with the far longer report entitled Maltese Law "Discriminates" On Same-Sex Partners carried prominently on the front page of The Times on July 1. This was convenient timing to suit the imminent gay parade. Was this a coincidence or a planned strategy?
If the EU Fundamental Rights Agency is truly concerned about discrimination of this type, why does it not mention the "rights" of those who practise polygamy and polyandry? Is it because it believes that some are more equal than others, or is it because it is following a specific agenda?
Since I have not read the report in question it could be that it is the reporter who introduced the bias, but I have my doubts.
Perhaps our Europarliamentarians could illuminate the public on the standing of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency. The press report gives the impression that this agency has the right to censure member states for not implementing laws which it considers indispensible, when the EU itself is not competent to impose on its members laws on same-sex unions. Is this a case of pushing in through the window what is not permissable to pass through the door? Could this be one of the fears that the EU Brussels bureaucracy, in its widest sense, is sowing among great sections of the people of Europe?
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
L-Orizzont: Jgħallmek waqt li jdaħħkek
http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=45672
9.7.8 minn Sammy Sammut
Meta persuna taċċetta lilha nfisha u ma tħossiex mistħija li tkun dak li fil-fatt hi, tkun ukoll kapaċi li tkisser il-ktajjen u ċċarrat l-irbit kollu li jkun qiegħed jassarha u xxekkilha. Dan il-pass iqawwiha u jnissel fiha l-ħila li toħroġ is-sabiħ kollu tagħha li forsi nżamm mistur kawża tal-biża’ li tesprimi dak li tassew tħoss, u li tattwa l-ħolm ta’ l-immaġinazzjoni fertili.
Peterson Toscano ħela kważi nofs ħajtu sakemm irnexxielu jsib rkaptu ta’ din il-filosofija, espressa f’The Identity Monologue, l-awtobijografija tiegħu rrakkontata f’żewġ minuti permezz ta’ YouTube.com. U dan għalih ma kienetx ħaġa faċli, iżda biss wara li qatta’ snin sħaħ jipprova jsib il-paċi mat-twemmin u l-omosesswalità tiegħu.
Fil-jiem li ġejjin, id-drammaturgu/attur/kummidjant Peterson Toscano se jippreżenta lill-pubbliku Malti tnejn mill-aqwa xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu, The Re-Education of George W. Bush u Transfigurations - Trasgressing Gender in the Bible. Dawn il-produzzjonijiet se jkunu possibli bl-inizjattiva tal-grupp LGBT Kattolika, Drachma, b’kollaborazzjoni sħiħa ma’ Warehouse No.8 tal-Marsa.
Imwieled fi New York 43 sena ilu f’familja Kattolika iżda liberali ta’ dixxendenza Taljana, fl-adoloxxenza tiegħu Peterson inħakem minn biża’ kbir meta nduna bil-ġibdiet omosesswali tiegħu u ried li akkost ta’ kollox jeħles minnhom għax dejjem kien mgħallem li dawn kienu affarijiet maħmuġin u mmorali li jwasslu biss għad-dnub. Darba fost l-oħrajn, meta kellu sbatax-il sena, waqt li kien f’kamartu ħass il-preżenza ta’ Alla u hemmhekk iddeċieda li jibdel ħajtu u joffrilha lil ‘l Alla.
Billi ma setax jipproċessa u jifhem din l-esperjenza, Peterson tkellem ma’ xi parroċċani li bħalu kienu jiffrekwentaw il-knisja f’Times Square u dawn ikkonvinċewh li b’din l-esperjenza kien twieled mill-ġdid u messu jingħaqad mal-knisja nisranija tagħhom, kif fil-fatt għamel. “Dawn qabdu l-esperjenza spiritwali u ġenwina li kelli u interpretawha kif riedu. Nifhem li m’għamlux dan b’xi intenzjoni ħażina, iżda lili fixkluni. Bħala nisrani ridt li nogħġob lil ‘l Alla iżda waqaft infittxu direttament u minflok qgħadt fuq dak li kienu jgħidulu l-mexxejja tiegħi dwar x’ried Alla minni” huwa jgħid.
Għal Peterson Toscano, minn hemm ‘il quddiem bdiet taqbida mifruxa fuq medda ta’ kważi għoxrin sena, fejn għamel dak kollu possibli biex jeħles jew jgħakkes kemm jista’ l-ġibdiet omosesswali tiegħu, fosthom permezz ta’ trattamenti li għalihom nefaq xejn inqas minn $30,000 u għamel żmien jaħdem bħala missjunarju f’Żambja ġewwa l-Afrika u saħansitra żżewweġ lill-akbar ħabiba tiegħu għax ħaseb li b’hekk seta’ jinbidel u jsir “normali”.
Ħaseb li b’dak li kien qed jagħmel seta’ jirbaħ din il-battalja iżda bħal xi ħadd maħkum bil-vizzju tad-droga, huwa beda jgħaddi minn livell għall-ieħor fit-tfittxija tiegħu li jsib il-paċi u s-serħan miegħu nnifsu billi jfittex il-mezz li jeħilsu mill-ħażen li kien iħoss qed jaħkimlu lil qalbu u lir-ruħu.
Iżda minkejja kollox xorta waħda baqa’ ma sabx il-paċi miegħu nnifsu. Wara li kien attenda għadd ta’ gruppi ta’ appoġġ, kellem lil min jaf kemm il-mexxej tal-knisja, bi żwieġ li sfaxxa fix-xejn u li tellfu lill-akbar ħbieb li kellu, u saħansitra wara tliet eżorċiżmi, għaraf li kien jinħtieġ għajnuna professjonali u għalhekk involva ruħu fil-moviment Ex-Gay.
Aktar tard huwa kkommetta ruħu li jattendi programm terapewtiku ta’ sentejn magħruf bħala Love in Action fejn kienu jgħidu li permezz ta’ dan il-programm residenzjali setgħu jbiddlu lil persuna omosesswali f’waħda eterosesswali. Iżda l-verità kienet ħafna ‘l bogħod minn hekk.
Ġurnata minnhom bħal donnu ġie f’sensih u induna li dik deskritta bħala terapija ma kienetx qed tagħmillu xejn ħlief li kienet qiegħda tkissru fiżikament u psikoloġikament..... u agħar minn hekk, kien għadu omosesswali daqs kemm qatt kien. Peterson jgħid: “Matul dan iż-żmien kollu ħsibt li kont kristjan nitqabad ma’ l-omosesswalità, meta fil-fatt naħseb li kont omosesswali nitqabad mal-kristajniżmu”.
Għalkemm il-bidu ma kienx tant faċli, minn hawn ‘il quddiem ntefa’ b’ruħu u ġismu għat-teatru li kien abbanduna ftit snin biss wara li kien ggradwa fih mill-Università ta’ New York. Kien żmien meta kellu wkoll jitqabad ma’ twemminu għax kien ħasel se jibda jitlef il-fidi tiegħu. “Għal snin sħaħ qrajt il-Bibbja bħala arma kontrija”, huwa jgħid waqt li spjega kif waqt li kien f’Memphis sab grupp ta’ nsara li kienu gay u hemm tgħallem li seta’ jkun gay u nisrani fl-istess ħin. Għalih din kienet aħbar tajba għax għaraf li minkejja kollox xorta waħda kien għadu jħoss il-ħtieġa li jkollu kuntatt mill-qrib ma’ Alla.
Fis-sena 1999, Peterson waqqaf il-kumpnaija p2son productions u beda jippreżenta l-produzzjoni tiegħu Footprints: An Inspiration Comedy. Dramaturgu u attur ta’ karattri komiċi, Peterson jibbaża ħafna fuq il-poeżija, il-Bibbja u kitbiet oħra, kif ukoll intervisti estensivi biex jispirawh fix-xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu.
Magħruf sew għat-trasformazzjonijiet impekkabli tal-karattri diversi li jintepreta, fuq il-palk Peterson litteralment ibiddel il-fiżjonomija ta’ wiċċu u s-sura ta’ ġismu, flimkien mal-vuċi u l-aċċent li juża għal kull karattru maħdum minnu.
Kien għamel id-debutt professjonali tiegħu fuq il-palk fl-1989, fil-play ta’ Peter Hanke “Kaspar” f’Cafè Bustello fi New York. Ħadem ukoll f’diversi films, fosthom Star Queen - A Star is Bored fl-2002, Getting Married? ta’ Eli Parker fl-2001, Fish Can’t Fly fl-2005 u Chasing the Devil: Inside the Ex-Gay Movement fl-2008. Aktar tard din is-sena mistenni wkoll jieħu sehem fid-dokumentarji This is What Love in Action Looks Like u For Such a Time as This.
Kien kemm-il darba mistieden jindirizza konferenzi lokali u internazzjonali, deher f’diversi programmi televiżi u radjofoniċi kemm fl-Ewropa kif ukoll fl-Amerika, fosthom The Montel Williams Show, Public Radio International, Current TV u The Tyra Banks Show, waqt li dwaru u l-esperjenzi li għadda minnhom kitbu għadd kbir ta’ ġurnali, inklużi The York Times u People Magazine.
Ix-xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu huma diversi. Fis-satira li kien ippreżenta fl-2003 Doin’ Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House, permezz ta’ l-esperjenzi tiegħu huwa jesplora b’mod umoristiku l-istorja ta’ l-omosesswalità, l-omofobija u kwistjonijiet oħra ta’ diversità permezz ta’ monologi minn diversi karattri li jinterpreta fl-istess ħin.
Is-sena ta’ wara kien kiteb Queer 101 li addattaha għall-istudenti ta’ l-iskola sekondarja fejn, minflok ma jitkellem dwar l-istorja ta’ ħajtu, Peterson jagħmel użu mill-poeżiji lesbjani u gay biex jesplora d-diversità u l-umanità.
Bħal Identity Monologue, il-klipp maħduma għal YouTube u How the Indians Discovered Colombus, iż-żewġ plays huma l-vetrina tat-talent li jipposjedi biex jittrasforma lilu nnifsu f’persuni oħra differenti, b’vuċijiet u aċċenti differenti.
Apparti fl-Istati Uniti ta’ l-Amerika fejn huwa jgħix, Peterson ippreżenta x-xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu f’diversi pajjiżi, fosthom fil-Kanada, fil-Kamerun, fl-Isvezja, fid-Danimarka, Spanja, l-Ingilterra u Wales.
U issa, bis-saħħa ta’ l-inizjattiva meħuda mill-grupp LGBT, Drachma, Peterson se jżur ukoll Malta fejn se jippreżenta lill-pubbliku Malti l-aħħar żewġ xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu fil-Warehouse No.8, fil-Marsa. Il-biljetti qegħdin jibiegħu bil-prezz ta’ €11 għal rappreżentazzjoni waħda jew €15 għat-tnejn.
Nhar il-Ġimgħa, 18 ta’ Lulju, huwa se jippreżenta l-produzzjoni ta’ The Re-Education of George W. Bush, fejn bħas-soltu, bid-diversi karattri differenti maħluqin u maħdumin minnu, jagħti lezzjoni lill-President Amerikan Bush u lill-udjenza preżenti dwar l-istorja, il-gwerer, il-privileġġ li jġib miegħu l-kulur tal-ġilda, l-ambjent, is-sessiżmu, il-qari żbaljat tal-Bibbja, l-umanità u ħafna aktar.
L-għada s-Sibt, 19 ta’ Lulju, Peterson jagħti ħarsa mhux tas-soltu lejn l-iskrittura Ebrajka u dik Nisranija permezz tal-kummiedja Transfigurations - Transgressing Gender in the Bible, fejn huwa jiffoka l-attenzjoni tiegħu fuq diversi karattri li kellhom sehem kbir fil-ġrajjiet irrakkontati fil-Bibbja u li kienu transesswali jew ta’ xorta ta’ sess omosesswali.
Peterson Toscano, li kien għamel ukoll xi żmien jgħallem kemm studenti kif ukoll għalliema, jispjega li permezz tal-ħiliet teatrali tiegħu flimkien ma’ l-esperjenzi u l-ħafna weġgħat li għadda minnhom, fix-xogħijiet tiegħu jista’ jħares lil ‘l hinn minnu nnifsu u jolqot l-għeruq tal-passjonijiet interni ta’ dawk kollha li jkollu quddiemu.
Illum li sab u għaraf lilu nnifsu, huwa kapaċi jitratta aħjar il-problemi tal-ħajja ta’ kuljum. U b’dan il-mod, permezz tat-teatru kapaċi jdaħħak u fl-istess ħin jgħallem lil ħaddieħor mingħajr ma dawn jirrealizzaw. Għax ma jkunx qed jgħallimhom billi dawn jużaw moħħhom iżda għax jolqothom fil-qiegħ ta’ qalbhom. Jekk trid tkun taf kif u għaliex, nissuġġerilek ma titlifx dawn ir-rappreżentazzjoniet ta’ Peterson Toscano.
9.7.8 minn Sammy Sammut
Meta persuna taċċetta lilha nfisha u ma tħossiex mistħija li tkun dak li fil-fatt hi, tkun ukoll kapaċi li tkisser il-ktajjen u ċċarrat l-irbit kollu li jkun qiegħed jassarha u xxekkilha. Dan il-pass iqawwiha u jnissel fiha l-ħila li toħroġ is-sabiħ kollu tagħha li forsi nżamm mistur kawża tal-biża’ li tesprimi dak li tassew tħoss, u li tattwa l-ħolm ta’ l-immaġinazzjoni fertili.
Peterson Toscano ħela kważi nofs ħajtu sakemm irnexxielu jsib rkaptu ta’ din il-filosofija, espressa f’The Identity Monologue, l-awtobijografija tiegħu rrakkontata f’żewġ minuti permezz ta’ YouTube.com. U dan għalih ma kienetx ħaġa faċli, iżda biss wara li qatta’ snin sħaħ jipprova jsib il-paċi mat-twemmin u l-omosesswalità tiegħu.
Fil-jiem li ġejjin, id-drammaturgu/attur/kummidjant Peterson Toscano se jippreżenta lill-pubbliku Malti tnejn mill-aqwa xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu, The Re-Education of George W. Bush u Transfigurations - Trasgressing Gender in the Bible. Dawn il-produzzjonijiet se jkunu possibli bl-inizjattiva tal-grupp LGBT Kattolika, Drachma, b’kollaborazzjoni sħiħa ma’ Warehouse No.8 tal-Marsa.
Imwieled fi New York 43 sena ilu f’familja Kattolika iżda liberali ta’ dixxendenza Taljana, fl-adoloxxenza tiegħu Peterson inħakem minn biża’ kbir meta nduna bil-ġibdiet omosesswali tiegħu u ried li akkost ta’ kollox jeħles minnhom għax dejjem kien mgħallem li dawn kienu affarijiet maħmuġin u mmorali li jwasslu biss għad-dnub. Darba fost l-oħrajn, meta kellu sbatax-il sena, waqt li kien f’kamartu ħass il-preżenza ta’ Alla u hemmhekk iddeċieda li jibdel ħajtu u joffrilha lil ‘l Alla.
Billi ma setax jipproċessa u jifhem din l-esperjenza, Peterson tkellem ma’ xi parroċċani li bħalu kienu jiffrekwentaw il-knisja f’Times Square u dawn ikkonvinċewh li b’din l-esperjenza kien twieled mill-ġdid u messu jingħaqad mal-knisja nisranija tagħhom, kif fil-fatt għamel. “Dawn qabdu l-esperjenza spiritwali u ġenwina li kelli u interpretawha kif riedu. Nifhem li m’għamlux dan b’xi intenzjoni ħażina, iżda lili fixkluni. Bħala nisrani ridt li nogħġob lil ‘l Alla iżda waqaft infittxu direttament u minflok qgħadt fuq dak li kienu jgħidulu l-mexxejja tiegħi dwar x’ried Alla minni” huwa jgħid.
Għal Peterson Toscano, minn hemm ‘il quddiem bdiet taqbida mifruxa fuq medda ta’ kważi għoxrin sena, fejn għamel dak kollu possibli biex jeħles jew jgħakkes kemm jista’ l-ġibdiet omosesswali tiegħu, fosthom permezz ta’ trattamenti li għalihom nefaq xejn inqas minn $30,000 u għamel żmien jaħdem bħala missjunarju f’Żambja ġewwa l-Afrika u saħansitra żżewweġ lill-akbar ħabiba tiegħu għax ħaseb li b’hekk seta’ jinbidel u jsir “normali”.
Ħaseb li b’dak li kien qed jagħmel seta’ jirbaħ din il-battalja iżda bħal xi ħadd maħkum bil-vizzju tad-droga, huwa beda jgħaddi minn livell għall-ieħor fit-tfittxija tiegħu li jsib il-paċi u s-serħan miegħu nnifsu billi jfittex il-mezz li jeħilsu mill-ħażen li kien iħoss qed jaħkimlu lil qalbu u lir-ruħu.
Iżda minkejja kollox xorta waħda baqa’ ma sabx il-paċi miegħu nnifsu. Wara li kien attenda għadd ta’ gruppi ta’ appoġġ, kellem lil min jaf kemm il-mexxej tal-knisja, bi żwieġ li sfaxxa fix-xejn u li tellfu lill-akbar ħbieb li kellu, u saħansitra wara tliet eżorċiżmi, għaraf li kien jinħtieġ għajnuna professjonali u għalhekk involva ruħu fil-moviment Ex-Gay.
Aktar tard huwa kkommetta ruħu li jattendi programm terapewtiku ta’ sentejn magħruf bħala Love in Action fejn kienu jgħidu li permezz ta’ dan il-programm residenzjali setgħu jbiddlu lil persuna omosesswali f’waħda eterosesswali. Iżda l-verità kienet ħafna ‘l bogħod minn hekk.
Ġurnata minnhom bħal donnu ġie f’sensih u induna li dik deskritta bħala terapija ma kienetx qed tagħmillu xejn ħlief li kienet qiegħda tkissru fiżikament u psikoloġikament..... u agħar minn hekk, kien għadu omosesswali daqs kemm qatt kien. Peterson jgħid: “Matul dan iż-żmien kollu ħsibt li kont kristjan nitqabad ma’ l-omosesswalità, meta fil-fatt naħseb li kont omosesswali nitqabad mal-kristajniżmu”.
Għalkemm il-bidu ma kienx tant faċli, minn hawn ‘il quddiem ntefa’ b’ruħu u ġismu għat-teatru li kien abbanduna ftit snin biss wara li kien ggradwa fih mill-Università ta’ New York. Kien żmien meta kellu wkoll jitqabad ma’ twemminu għax kien ħasel se jibda jitlef il-fidi tiegħu. “Għal snin sħaħ qrajt il-Bibbja bħala arma kontrija”, huwa jgħid waqt li spjega kif waqt li kien f’Memphis sab grupp ta’ nsara li kienu gay u hemm tgħallem li seta’ jkun gay u nisrani fl-istess ħin. Għalih din kienet aħbar tajba għax għaraf li minkejja kollox xorta waħda kien għadu jħoss il-ħtieġa li jkollu kuntatt mill-qrib ma’ Alla.
Fis-sena 1999, Peterson waqqaf il-kumpnaija p2son productions u beda jippreżenta l-produzzjoni tiegħu Footprints: An Inspiration Comedy. Dramaturgu u attur ta’ karattri komiċi, Peterson jibbaża ħafna fuq il-poeżija, il-Bibbja u kitbiet oħra, kif ukoll intervisti estensivi biex jispirawh fix-xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu.
Magħruf sew għat-trasformazzjonijiet impekkabli tal-karattri diversi li jintepreta, fuq il-palk Peterson litteralment ibiddel il-fiżjonomija ta’ wiċċu u s-sura ta’ ġismu, flimkien mal-vuċi u l-aċċent li juża għal kull karattru maħdum minnu.
Kien għamel id-debutt professjonali tiegħu fuq il-palk fl-1989, fil-play ta’ Peter Hanke “Kaspar” f’Cafè Bustello fi New York. Ħadem ukoll f’diversi films, fosthom Star Queen - A Star is Bored fl-2002, Getting Married? ta’ Eli Parker fl-2001, Fish Can’t Fly fl-2005 u Chasing the Devil: Inside the Ex-Gay Movement fl-2008. Aktar tard din is-sena mistenni wkoll jieħu sehem fid-dokumentarji This is What Love in Action Looks Like u For Such a Time as This.
Kien kemm-il darba mistieden jindirizza konferenzi lokali u internazzjonali, deher f’diversi programmi televiżi u radjofoniċi kemm fl-Ewropa kif ukoll fl-Amerika, fosthom The Montel Williams Show, Public Radio International, Current TV u The Tyra Banks Show, waqt li dwaru u l-esperjenzi li għadda minnhom kitbu għadd kbir ta’ ġurnali, inklużi The York Times u People Magazine.
Ix-xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu huma diversi. Fis-satira li kien ippreżenta fl-2003 Doin’ Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House, permezz ta’ l-esperjenzi tiegħu huwa jesplora b’mod umoristiku l-istorja ta’ l-omosesswalità, l-omofobija u kwistjonijiet oħra ta’ diversità permezz ta’ monologi minn diversi karattri li jinterpreta fl-istess ħin.
Is-sena ta’ wara kien kiteb Queer 101 li addattaha għall-istudenti ta’ l-iskola sekondarja fejn, minflok ma jitkellem dwar l-istorja ta’ ħajtu, Peterson jagħmel użu mill-poeżiji lesbjani u gay biex jesplora d-diversità u l-umanità.
Bħal Identity Monologue, il-klipp maħduma għal YouTube u How the Indians Discovered Colombus, iż-żewġ plays huma l-vetrina tat-talent li jipposjedi biex jittrasforma lilu nnifsu f’persuni oħra differenti, b’vuċijiet u aċċenti differenti.
Apparti fl-Istati Uniti ta’ l-Amerika fejn huwa jgħix, Peterson ippreżenta x-xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu f’diversi pajjiżi, fosthom fil-Kanada, fil-Kamerun, fl-Isvezja, fid-Danimarka, Spanja, l-Ingilterra u Wales.
U issa, bis-saħħa ta’ l-inizjattiva meħuda mill-grupp LGBT, Drachma, Peterson se jżur ukoll Malta fejn se jippreżenta lill-pubbliku Malti l-aħħar żewġ xogħlijiet teatrali tiegħu fil-Warehouse No.8, fil-Marsa. Il-biljetti qegħdin jibiegħu bil-prezz ta’ €11 għal rappreżentazzjoni waħda jew €15 għat-tnejn.
Nhar il-Ġimgħa, 18 ta’ Lulju, huwa se jippreżenta l-produzzjoni ta’ The Re-Education of George W. Bush, fejn bħas-soltu, bid-diversi karattri differenti maħluqin u maħdumin minnu, jagħti lezzjoni lill-President Amerikan Bush u lill-udjenza preżenti dwar l-istorja, il-gwerer, il-privileġġ li jġib miegħu l-kulur tal-ġilda, l-ambjent, is-sessiżmu, il-qari żbaljat tal-Bibbja, l-umanità u ħafna aktar.
L-għada s-Sibt, 19 ta’ Lulju, Peterson jagħti ħarsa mhux tas-soltu lejn l-iskrittura Ebrajka u dik Nisranija permezz tal-kummiedja Transfigurations - Transgressing Gender in the Bible, fejn huwa jiffoka l-attenzjoni tiegħu fuq diversi karattri li kellhom sehem kbir fil-ġrajjiet irrakkontati fil-Bibbja u li kienu transesswali jew ta’ xorta ta’ sess omosesswali.
Peterson Toscano, li kien għamel ukoll xi żmien jgħallem kemm studenti kif ukoll għalliema, jispjega li permezz tal-ħiliet teatrali tiegħu flimkien ma’ l-esperjenzi u l-ħafna weġgħat li għadda minnhom, fix-xogħijiet tiegħu jista’ jħares lil ‘l hinn minnu nnifsu u jolqot l-għeruq tal-passjonijiet interni ta’ dawk kollha li jkollu quddiemu.
Illum li sab u għaraf lilu nnifsu, huwa kapaċi jitratta aħjar il-problemi tal-ħajja ta’ kuljum. U b’dan il-mod, permezz tat-teatru kapaċi jdaħħak u fl-istess ħin jgħallem lil ħaddieħor mingħajr ma dawn jirrealizzaw. Għax ma jkunx qed jgħallimhom billi dawn jużaw moħħhom iżda għax jolqothom fil-qiegħ ta’ qalbhom. Jekk trid tkun taf kif u għaliex, nissuġġerilek ma titlifx dawn ir-rappreżentazzjoniet ta’ Peterson Toscano.
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Sydney Morning Herald: Gays to protest at Pope's arrival
http://news.smh.com.au/national/gays-to-protest-at-popes-arrival-20080708-3bqx.html
July 8, 2008
July 8, 2008
Gay and lesbian Christians will protest the Pope's condemnation of homosexuality ahead of World Youth Day, labelling his beliefs as right-wing propaganda.
The protest, calling for equality for gay and lesbian followers, will take place at the Pitt Street Uniting Church this Sunday, coinciding with Pope Benedict XVI's arrival in Sydney.
Catholic writer and educator Michael Kelly said gay and lesbian people had been marginalised and condemned by mainstream churches, particularly the Catholic Church.
He labelled the "version of Christianity that is coming to Sydney" as propaganda.
"We call on gay and lesbian Christians ... to join us in standing up for the goodness of being gay, and not allow right-wing religious propaganda to silence our faith, hope and love," he said.
Reverend Dorothy McRae-McMahon said churches were happy to benefit from the hard work of gay followers, but demonised them in public.
"We need to claim our place and give witness to the grace of God in our lives as lesbian and gay people," she said.
"The churches are happy to use our gifts and our hard work - it's time we celebrated all the richness and wisdom that we have offered the Christian community, and show that the negative messages about us are based on fear and ignorance."
Pope Benedict is due to land at Richmond air base on Sunday before being whisked off to the Kenthurst Study Centre for some relaxation ahead of his first official engagement for the Catholic World Youth Day event.
L-Orizzont: Għaliex bħall-Anġli tal-Festa?
http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=45633
8.7.8 minn Sammy Sammut
Il-protezzjoni ugwali li suppost qiegħda tipprovdi l-liġi ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea kontra kull tip ta’ diskriminazzjoni għadha biss ideal u mhux fatt. Dan japplika għal ħafna persuni lesbjani, gay, bisesswali u transesswali (LGBT) li jgħixu f’diversi pajjiżi membri ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea, mhux l-inqas dawk residenti f’Malta. Jekk tassew nemmnu li persuni LGBT m’humiex bħall-anġli tal-festa, allura m’għandniex inkomplu nikkalkulawhom qieshom huma ċittadini tat-tieni klassi quddiem il-liġijiet Maltin, u dan irridu nagħmluh bil-fatti u mhux bil-paroli.
Dan għax il-prinċipju ta’ trattament indaqs, mhux biss huwa valur fundamentali ta’ l-UE iżda huwa wkoll iggarantit bil-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali li permezz tagħha hija pprojbita kull tip ta’ diskriminazzjoni li tkun ibbażata fost oħrajn fuq ir-razza, is-sess, il-kulur, l-oriġini etnika jew soċjali, fatturi ġenetiċi, il-lingwa, ir-reliġjon jew twemmin, l-opinjoni politika jew ta’ xorta oħra, kif ukoll minħabba xi tip ta’ diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali.
Il-miżuri l-ġodda kontra d-diskriminazzjoni li jittieħdu mill-UE għandhom għalhekk, konformi mal-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali, jestendu l-protezzjoni legali lill-oqsma kollha li tapplika għalihom il-leġislazzjoni ta’ l-UE għall-Ugwaljanza Razzjali u dan fl-Istati Membri kollha ta’ l-UE.
Minkejja dan kollu, analiżi akkurata tal-leġislazzjoni li teżisti fis-27 pajjiż membru, li saret mill-Aġenzija ta’ l-UE għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali (FRA) iddentifikat differenzi sostanzjali fejn jidħlu t-trattament u l-protezzjoni mil-liġi kif ukoll in-nuqqas ta’ tgawdija sħiħa u ugwali tad-drittijiet f’oqsma li jaqgħu taħt il-kompetenza ta’ l-UE, partikolarment fejn jidħol iż-żwieġ jew xi tip ieħor ta’ sħubija bejn persuni ta’ l-istess sess.
Ir-rapport juri li f’mhux inqas minn 18-il pajjiż membru ta’ l-UE, l-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva għall-Ugwaljanza fl-Impjieg mhux biss laħqet il-livell minimu għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam mad-diskriminazzjoni fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali fuq il-post tax-xogħol u fejn jidħlu l-impjiegi, iżda qegħdin joffru wkoll protezzjoni fir-rigward tal-protezzjoni soċjali (sigurtà soċjali u kura tas-saħħa), vantaġġi soċjali, edukazzjoni u access għal prodotti u servizzi li huma disponibbli għall-pubbliku, inkluż ukoll il-‘housing’.
Nofs sajran
Għall-kuntrarju ta’ dak li għamlu l-maġġoranza ta’ l-Istati Membri, f’Malta l-implimentazzjoni ta’ din id-Direttiva saret qiesha nofs sajran għax hija limitata biss kontra d-diskriminazzjoni li tkun ibbazata fuq l-orjentament sesswali ta’ dak li jkun f’materji relatati max-xogħol u l-impjiegi biss.
Hekk ukoll, kontra dak li għamlu l-maġġoranza tal-pajjiżi membri ta’ l-UE, f’Malta ma jeżistiex korp għall-ugwaljanza li jkollu l-kompetenza li jitratta każi ta’ diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq l-orjentament sesswali. Għalkemm teżisti l-Kummissjoni Nazzjonali għall-Promozzjoni ta’ l-Ugwaljanza, li twaqqfet fis-sena 2004 biex tara li jkun hemm trattament ugwali bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa, din m’għandha l-ebda kompetenza fejn tidħol diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq l-orjentament sesswali.
L-istess rapport jikkonkludi li Malta hija fost 11-il pajjiż membru li qegħdin jiksru d-drittijiet fundamentali kif definiti mit-Trattat ta’ l-UE kif ukoll qegħdin jonqsu milli jimplimentaw id-Direttiva dwar il-Moviment Ħieles. Dan billi, fost oħrajn, Malta qiegħda tirrifjuta li tirrikonoxxi żwieġ li jkun sar f’xi pajjiż ieħor bejn persuni ta’ l-istess sess, u għalhekk tista’ tirrifjuta li tikkunsidra lil dawn l-istess persuni bħala ‘sħab miżżewġin’, għall-fini ta’ l-għaqda mill-ġdid tal-familja, u b’hekk ma tirrikonoxxix lis-sieħeb miżżewweġ ta’ ċittadin ta’ l-UE li jkun ta’ l-istess sess.
Dan qiegħed isir minkejja li kull rifjut għar-rikonoxximent tal-validità ta’ żwieġ bejn persuni ta’ l-istess sess li jsir f’xi pajjiż barrani, għall-fini tal-moviment ħieles, jikkostitwixxi diskriminazzjoni diretta fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Aġir simili jikser ukoll il-Patt Internazzjonali dwar id-Drittijiet Soċjali u Politiċi kif ukoll il-prinċipju ġenerali ta’ l-ugwaljanza kif imħares mill-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali. Ifisser ukoll li l-moviment ħieles ta’ persuni LGBT huwa ristrett. Dan japplika wkoll anke fil-każ ta’ persuni ta’ l-istess sess li għalkemm ma jkunux miżżewġin, is-sħubija ta’ bejniethom tkun irreġistrata uffiċjalment; u aktar u aktar jekk żewġ persuni ta’ l-istess sess ikunu sħab de facto, jiġifieri għalkemm ikunu jgħixu f’relazzjoni stabbli u permanenti fl-istess dar, din is-sħubija la tkun f’forma ta’ żwieġ u lanqas sħubija reġistrata.
Drittijiet ugwali
L-esperti legali li għamlu dan ir-rapport, li kienu ġejjin mis-27 pajjiż membru ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea, fosthom il-Prof. Ian Refalo minn Malta, esprimew il-fehma li d-drittijit u l-vantaġġi riservati għal koppji miżżewġin, għandhom ikunu estiżi wkoll għal koppji ta’ l-istess sess li ma jkunux miżżewġin. Dan għandu jsir meta dawn il-koppji jifformaw sħubija reġistrata fin-nuqqas ta’ possibiltà li jiżżewġu, u meta, fl-assenza ta’ sħubija reġistrata, ir-relazzjoni de facto tippreżenta grad suffiċjenti ta’ permanenza, biex ikun assigurat li jkun hemm trattament ugwali ta’ persuni LGBT.
Kien sostnut ukoll li t-trattament ta’ koppji ta’ l-istess sess f’konformità mal-liġi internazzjonali dwar id-drittijiet umani jinħtieġ li jkun assigurat u kjarifikat għad-direttivi kollha li japplikaw, fosthom id-Direttiva dwar il-Moviment Ħieles, id-Direttiva għall-Għaqda mill-Ġdid tal-Familja u d-Direttiva ta’ Kwalifikazzjoni.
Huwa wkoll meqjus bħala diskriminazzjoni diretta bbażata fuq l-orjentazzjoni sesswali, il-fatt li għal dak li kuntrarjament jiġri f’pajjiżi oħra membri, is-sieħeb jew is-sieħba ta’ l-istess sess ta’ ċittadini mhux ta’ l-UE - bħal per eżempju persuni refuġjati jew li għal xi raġuni jew oħra jkunu igawdu minn protezzjoni internazzjonali - ma jitħallix jingħaqad mas-sieħeb tiegħu jew is-sieħba tagħha.
Għalkemm bħal 12-il pajjiż membru ieħor, Malta tagħti l-istess drittijiet f’każ li l-koppja tkun iffurmata minn raġel u mara, dawn id-drittijiet huma mċaħħdin lill-koppji ta’ l-istess sess anke jekk iż-żwieġ tagħhom ikun ġie konkluż b’mod validu f’xi ġurisdizzjoni barranija, aħseb u ara jekk dawn ikunu għadhom ma iżżewġux. Dan kollu, jikkonkludi r-rapport, jikkostitwixxi diskriminazzjoni diretta fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali u ma jistax ikun iġġustifikat.
Il-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali tiddikjara li d-dinjità umana għandha tkun rispettata u protetta. F’għadd ta’ pajjiżi membri ta’ l-UE huwa reat kriminali meta xi ħadd jinċità l-mibgħeda, il-vjolenza u d-diskriminazzjoni fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Għall-kuntrarju, fil-Kodiċi Kriminali ta’ Malta, l-intenzjoni omofobika m’hijiex ikkunsidrata bħala ċirkostanza aggravanti għall-għanijiet ta’ piena. Il-liġi kriminali Maltija tagħmel diversi provedimenti fil-konfront ta’ min jikteb jew jitkellem b’mod li jinċità l-mibgħeda iżda b’inkonsistenza kbira dan huwa espliċitament ristrett biss għal ċerti gruppi ta’ individwi, iżda mhux meta dan il-lingwaġġ jew kitba ta’ mibgħeda tkun diretta lejn persuni LGBT. Eżempju ieħor ta’ din l-inkonsistenza huwa dak li taħt il-Kapitlu tal-Kodiċi Kriminali li jitkellem dwar theddid, vjolenza privata u fastidju, jistipula li l-piena stabbilità għandha tiżdied minn grad sa tnejn meta r-reat ikun aggravat għal raġunijiet li għandhom x’jaqsmu ma’ razza jew reliġjon, iżda l-istess aggravju ma japplikax f’każ li l-istess reati jkunu saru fil-konfront ta’ persuni lesbjani, gay, bisesswali jew transesswali sempliċiment minħabba l-orjentament sesswali tagħhom.
Kontra l-omofobija
Ir-rapport jissuġġerixxi li l-Kummissjoni Ewropea għandha tikkunsidra jekk għandhiex tipproponi leġislazzjoni, simili għal dik li tirrigwarda r-rażżizmu u x-xenofobija, li tkun tittratta l-omofobija. Leġislazzjoni simili għandha tolqot diskorsi, kitba u reati ta’ mibgħeda omofobika, u kemm jista’ jkun l-Istati Membri kollha għandhom japplikaw pieni li jkunu approssimattivi kemm jista’ jkun f’każi bħal dawn. B’dan il-mod, jitneħħew l-ostakoli li jeżistu biex kemm jista’ jkun, persuni LGBT jeżerċitaw id-drittijiet tal-moviment ħieles u drittijiet oħrajn b’mod li ma jsofru l-ebda forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni.
L-Aġenzija għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali tisħaq ukoll li persuni transesswali għandhom ikunu protetti mid-diskriminazzjoni fl-UE. Il-Qorti Ewropea tal-Ġustizzja tikkunsidra li l-istrumenti li jimplimentaw il-prinċipju għat-trattament ugwali bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa għandhom ikunu interpretati b’mod li dawn joffru l-akbar protezzjoni minn diskriminazzjoni fuq il-bażi tat-transesswalità.
Hawnhekk ukoll, għall-kuntrarju ta’ kif jagħmlu l-maġġoranza tal-pajjiżi membri ta’ l-UE, diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq it-transesswalità f’Malta la hi meqjusa bħala diskriminazzjoni sesswali u lanqas bħala diskriminazzjoni fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Dan l-istat ta’ fatt joħloq sitwazzjoni ta’ inċertezza sesswali.
Għalkemm il-Konvenzjoni Ewropea tad-Drittijiet Umani tiggarantixxi r-rikonoxximent legali lix-xorta ta’ sess miksub wara li tkun saret operazzjoni medika, kif ukoll tirrikonoxxi d-dritt ta’ persuna transesswali li tiżżewweġ persuna tax-xorta tas-sess oppost, Malta flimkien ma’ tliet pajjiżi oħrajn għadha ma tridx tirregolarizza ruħha għal kollox ma’ din il-ħtieġa.
L-esperti legali jsostnu fuq l-importanza li persuni transesswali għandhom ikunu protetti bl-akbar mod possibli u li din il-protezzjoni tkun ċċarata billi dawn qegħdin jisfgħu vittmi ta’ diskriminazzjoni u omofobija. Huma jgħidu li l-Istati Membri għandhom jikkunsidraw li jintroduċu jew itejjbu l-liġijiet u l-prattika biex jassiguraw għal kollox r-rikonoxximent legali sħiħ lix-xorta ta’ sess ġdid ta’ dawn il-persuni transesswali fosthom billi jingħataw id-dritt li jibdlu isimhom, in-numru tas-sigurtà soċjali u indikaturi oħrajn.
L-istess rapport jirreferi wkoll għall-fatt li tista’ tgħid madwar l-UE kollha jeżisti nuqqas kbir ta’ ġbir ta’ tagħrif rilevanti dwar id-diskriminazzjoni li ssir fuq l-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Dan in-nuqqas ta’ tagħrif statistiku jista’ jkun attribwiet għal nuqqas ta’ ftehim fir-rigward tal-leġislazzjoni ta’ l-UE dwar il-protezzjoni ta’ l-informazzjoni. Għalhekk ġie suġġeriet li tkun iċċarata l-kompatibilità tad-direttiva ma’ l-ipproċessar ta’ tagħrif personali sensittiv bħalma huwa t-tagħrif dwar il-ħajja sesswali ta’ dak li jkun, għal skopijiet ta’ statistika. Opinjoni bħal din tnaqqas l-inċertezza legali u tħajjar li jkun hemm politika anti-diskriminatorja billi tagħmilha possibli li jkun hemm statistika komprensiva u ta’ min joqgħod fuqha dwar kull forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni.
“Dan kollu huwa importanti għax li jkun hemm trattament ugwali huwa dritt fundamentali li l-membri kollha tas-soċjetà tagħna għandhom igawdu”, qal Korten Kjaerum, Direttur ta’ l-Aġenzija ta’ l-UE għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali. Qal ukoll li “l-fatt li persuni lesbjani, gay, bisesswali u transesswali għadhom m’humiex trattati l-istess u b’mod ugwali f’ċerti aspetti tal-leġislazzjoni ta’ l-UE, partikolarment fejn jidħlu koppji ta’ l-istess sess, għandu għalxiex jħassibna lilna lkoll”.
8.7.8 minn Sammy Sammut
Il-protezzjoni ugwali li suppost qiegħda tipprovdi l-liġi ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea kontra kull tip ta’ diskriminazzjoni għadha biss ideal u mhux fatt. Dan japplika għal ħafna persuni lesbjani, gay, bisesswali u transesswali (LGBT) li jgħixu f’diversi pajjiżi membri ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea, mhux l-inqas dawk residenti f’Malta. Jekk tassew nemmnu li persuni LGBT m’humiex bħall-anġli tal-festa, allura m’għandniex inkomplu nikkalkulawhom qieshom huma ċittadini tat-tieni klassi quddiem il-liġijiet Maltin, u dan irridu nagħmluh bil-fatti u mhux bil-paroli.
Dan għax il-prinċipju ta’ trattament indaqs, mhux biss huwa valur fundamentali ta’ l-UE iżda huwa wkoll iggarantit bil-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali li permezz tagħha hija pprojbita kull tip ta’ diskriminazzjoni li tkun ibbażata fost oħrajn fuq ir-razza, is-sess, il-kulur, l-oriġini etnika jew soċjali, fatturi ġenetiċi, il-lingwa, ir-reliġjon jew twemmin, l-opinjoni politika jew ta’ xorta oħra, kif ukoll minħabba xi tip ta’ diżabilità, età jew orjentazzjoni sesswali.
Il-miżuri l-ġodda kontra d-diskriminazzjoni li jittieħdu mill-UE għandhom għalhekk, konformi mal-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali, jestendu l-protezzjoni legali lill-oqsma kollha li tapplika għalihom il-leġislazzjoni ta’ l-UE għall-Ugwaljanza Razzjali u dan fl-Istati Membri kollha ta’ l-UE.
Minkejja dan kollu, analiżi akkurata tal-leġislazzjoni li teżisti fis-27 pajjiż membru, li saret mill-Aġenzija ta’ l-UE għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali (FRA) iddentifikat differenzi sostanzjali fejn jidħlu t-trattament u l-protezzjoni mil-liġi kif ukoll in-nuqqas ta’ tgawdija sħiħa u ugwali tad-drittijiet f’oqsma li jaqgħu taħt il-kompetenza ta’ l-UE, partikolarment fejn jidħol iż-żwieġ jew xi tip ieħor ta’ sħubija bejn persuni ta’ l-istess sess.
Ir-rapport juri li f’mhux inqas minn 18-il pajjiż membru ta’ l-UE, l-implimentazzjoni tad-Direttiva għall-Ugwaljanza fl-Impjieg mhux biss laħqet il-livell minimu għal dak li għandu x’jaqsam mad-diskriminazzjoni fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali fuq il-post tax-xogħol u fejn jidħlu l-impjiegi, iżda qegħdin joffru wkoll protezzjoni fir-rigward tal-protezzjoni soċjali (sigurtà soċjali u kura tas-saħħa), vantaġġi soċjali, edukazzjoni u access għal prodotti u servizzi li huma disponibbli għall-pubbliku, inkluż ukoll il-‘housing’.
Nofs sajran
Għall-kuntrarju ta’ dak li għamlu l-maġġoranza ta’ l-Istati Membri, f’Malta l-implimentazzjoni ta’ din id-Direttiva saret qiesha nofs sajran għax hija limitata biss kontra d-diskriminazzjoni li tkun ibbazata fuq l-orjentament sesswali ta’ dak li jkun f’materji relatati max-xogħol u l-impjiegi biss.
Hekk ukoll, kontra dak li għamlu l-maġġoranza tal-pajjiżi membri ta’ l-UE, f’Malta ma jeżistiex korp għall-ugwaljanza li jkollu l-kompetenza li jitratta każi ta’ diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq l-orjentament sesswali. Għalkemm teżisti l-Kummissjoni Nazzjonali għall-Promozzjoni ta’ l-Ugwaljanza, li twaqqfet fis-sena 2004 biex tara li jkun hemm trattament ugwali bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa, din m’għandha l-ebda kompetenza fejn tidħol diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq l-orjentament sesswali.
L-istess rapport jikkonkludi li Malta hija fost 11-il pajjiż membru li qegħdin jiksru d-drittijiet fundamentali kif definiti mit-Trattat ta’ l-UE kif ukoll qegħdin jonqsu milli jimplimentaw id-Direttiva dwar il-Moviment Ħieles. Dan billi, fost oħrajn, Malta qiegħda tirrifjuta li tirrikonoxxi żwieġ li jkun sar f’xi pajjiż ieħor bejn persuni ta’ l-istess sess, u għalhekk tista’ tirrifjuta li tikkunsidra lil dawn l-istess persuni bħala ‘sħab miżżewġin’, għall-fini ta’ l-għaqda mill-ġdid tal-familja, u b’hekk ma tirrikonoxxix lis-sieħeb miżżewweġ ta’ ċittadin ta’ l-UE li jkun ta’ l-istess sess.
Dan qiegħed isir minkejja li kull rifjut għar-rikonoxximent tal-validità ta’ żwieġ bejn persuni ta’ l-istess sess li jsir f’xi pajjiż barrani, għall-fini tal-moviment ħieles, jikkostitwixxi diskriminazzjoni diretta fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Aġir simili jikser ukoll il-Patt Internazzjonali dwar id-Drittijiet Soċjali u Politiċi kif ukoll il-prinċipju ġenerali ta’ l-ugwaljanza kif imħares mill-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali. Ifisser ukoll li l-moviment ħieles ta’ persuni LGBT huwa ristrett. Dan japplika wkoll anke fil-każ ta’ persuni ta’ l-istess sess li għalkemm ma jkunux miżżewġin, is-sħubija ta’ bejniethom tkun irreġistrata uffiċjalment; u aktar u aktar jekk żewġ persuni ta’ l-istess sess ikunu sħab de facto, jiġifieri għalkemm ikunu jgħixu f’relazzjoni stabbli u permanenti fl-istess dar, din is-sħubija la tkun f’forma ta’ żwieġ u lanqas sħubija reġistrata.
Drittijiet ugwali
L-esperti legali li għamlu dan ir-rapport, li kienu ġejjin mis-27 pajjiż membru ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea, fosthom il-Prof. Ian Refalo minn Malta, esprimew il-fehma li d-drittijit u l-vantaġġi riservati għal koppji miżżewġin, għandhom ikunu estiżi wkoll għal koppji ta’ l-istess sess li ma jkunux miżżewġin. Dan għandu jsir meta dawn il-koppji jifformaw sħubija reġistrata fin-nuqqas ta’ possibiltà li jiżżewġu, u meta, fl-assenza ta’ sħubija reġistrata, ir-relazzjoni de facto tippreżenta grad suffiċjenti ta’ permanenza, biex ikun assigurat li jkun hemm trattament ugwali ta’ persuni LGBT.
Kien sostnut ukoll li t-trattament ta’ koppji ta’ l-istess sess f’konformità mal-liġi internazzjonali dwar id-drittijiet umani jinħtieġ li jkun assigurat u kjarifikat għad-direttivi kollha li japplikaw, fosthom id-Direttiva dwar il-Moviment Ħieles, id-Direttiva għall-Għaqda mill-Ġdid tal-Familja u d-Direttiva ta’ Kwalifikazzjoni.
Huwa wkoll meqjus bħala diskriminazzjoni diretta bbażata fuq l-orjentazzjoni sesswali, il-fatt li għal dak li kuntrarjament jiġri f’pajjiżi oħra membri, is-sieħeb jew is-sieħba ta’ l-istess sess ta’ ċittadini mhux ta’ l-UE - bħal per eżempju persuni refuġjati jew li għal xi raġuni jew oħra jkunu igawdu minn protezzjoni internazzjonali - ma jitħallix jingħaqad mas-sieħeb tiegħu jew is-sieħba tagħha.
Għalkemm bħal 12-il pajjiż membru ieħor, Malta tagħti l-istess drittijiet f’każ li l-koppja tkun iffurmata minn raġel u mara, dawn id-drittijiet huma mċaħħdin lill-koppji ta’ l-istess sess anke jekk iż-żwieġ tagħhom ikun ġie konkluż b’mod validu f’xi ġurisdizzjoni barranija, aħseb u ara jekk dawn ikunu għadhom ma iżżewġux. Dan kollu, jikkonkludi r-rapport, jikkostitwixxi diskriminazzjoni diretta fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali u ma jistax ikun iġġustifikat.
Il-Karta tad-Drittijiet Fundamentali tiddikjara li d-dinjità umana għandha tkun rispettata u protetta. F’għadd ta’ pajjiżi membri ta’ l-UE huwa reat kriminali meta xi ħadd jinċità l-mibgħeda, il-vjolenza u d-diskriminazzjoni fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Għall-kuntrarju, fil-Kodiċi Kriminali ta’ Malta, l-intenzjoni omofobika m’hijiex ikkunsidrata bħala ċirkostanza aggravanti għall-għanijiet ta’ piena. Il-liġi kriminali Maltija tagħmel diversi provedimenti fil-konfront ta’ min jikteb jew jitkellem b’mod li jinċità l-mibgħeda iżda b’inkonsistenza kbira dan huwa espliċitament ristrett biss għal ċerti gruppi ta’ individwi, iżda mhux meta dan il-lingwaġġ jew kitba ta’ mibgħeda tkun diretta lejn persuni LGBT. Eżempju ieħor ta’ din l-inkonsistenza huwa dak li taħt il-Kapitlu tal-Kodiċi Kriminali li jitkellem dwar theddid, vjolenza privata u fastidju, jistipula li l-piena stabbilità għandha tiżdied minn grad sa tnejn meta r-reat ikun aggravat għal raġunijiet li għandhom x’jaqsmu ma’ razza jew reliġjon, iżda l-istess aggravju ma japplikax f’każ li l-istess reati jkunu saru fil-konfront ta’ persuni lesbjani, gay, bisesswali jew transesswali sempliċiment minħabba l-orjentament sesswali tagħhom.
Kontra l-omofobija
Ir-rapport jissuġġerixxi li l-Kummissjoni Ewropea għandha tikkunsidra jekk għandhiex tipproponi leġislazzjoni, simili għal dik li tirrigwarda r-rażżizmu u x-xenofobija, li tkun tittratta l-omofobija. Leġislazzjoni simili għandha tolqot diskorsi, kitba u reati ta’ mibgħeda omofobika, u kemm jista’ jkun l-Istati Membri kollha għandhom japplikaw pieni li jkunu approssimattivi kemm jista’ jkun f’każi bħal dawn. B’dan il-mod, jitneħħew l-ostakoli li jeżistu biex kemm jista’ jkun, persuni LGBT jeżerċitaw id-drittijiet tal-moviment ħieles u drittijiet oħrajn b’mod li ma jsofru l-ebda forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni.
L-Aġenzija għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali tisħaq ukoll li persuni transesswali għandhom ikunu protetti mid-diskriminazzjoni fl-UE. Il-Qorti Ewropea tal-Ġustizzja tikkunsidra li l-istrumenti li jimplimentaw il-prinċipju għat-trattament ugwali bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa għandhom ikunu interpretati b’mod li dawn joffru l-akbar protezzjoni minn diskriminazzjoni fuq il-bażi tat-transesswalità.
Hawnhekk ukoll, għall-kuntrarju ta’ kif jagħmlu l-maġġoranza tal-pajjiżi membri ta’ l-UE, diskriminazzjoni bbażata fuq it-transesswalità f’Malta la hi meqjusa bħala diskriminazzjoni sesswali u lanqas bħala diskriminazzjoni fuq il-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Dan l-istat ta’ fatt joħloq sitwazzjoni ta’ inċertezza sesswali.
Għalkemm il-Konvenzjoni Ewropea tad-Drittijiet Umani tiggarantixxi r-rikonoxximent legali lix-xorta ta’ sess miksub wara li tkun saret operazzjoni medika, kif ukoll tirrikonoxxi d-dritt ta’ persuna transesswali li tiżżewweġ persuna tax-xorta tas-sess oppost, Malta flimkien ma’ tliet pajjiżi oħrajn għadha ma tridx tirregolarizza ruħha għal kollox ma’ din il-ħtieġa.
L-esperti legali jsostnu fuq l-importanza li persuni transesswali għandhom ikunu protetti bl-akbar mod possibli u li din il-protezzjoni tkun ċċarata billi dawn qegħdin jisfgħu vittmi ta’ diskriminazzjoni u omofobija. Huma jgħidu li l-Istati Membri għandhom jikkunsidraw li jintroduċu jew itejjbu l-liġijiet u l-prattika biex jassiguraw għal kollox r-rikonoxximent legali sħiħ lix-xorta ta’ sess ġdid ta’ dawn il-persuni transesswali fosthom billi jingħataw id-dritt li jibdlu isimhom, in-numru tas-sigurtà soċjali u indikaturi oħrajn.
L-istess rapport jirreferi wkoll għall-fatt li tista’ tgħid madwar l-UE kollha jeżisti nuqqas kbir ta’ ġbir ta’ tagħrif rilevanti dwar id-diskriminazzjoni li ssir fuq l-bażi ta’ orjentazzjoni sesswali. Dan in-nuqqas ta’ tagħrif statistiku jista’ jkun attribwiet għal nuqqas ta’ ftehim fir-rigward tal-leġislazzjoni ta’ l-UE dwar il-protezzjoni ta’ l-informazzjoni. Għalhekk ġie suġġeriet li tkun iċċarata l-kompatibilità tad-direttiva ma’ l-ipproċessar ta’ tagħrif personali sensittiv bħalma huwa t-tagħrif dwar il-ħajja sesswali ta’ dak li jkun, għal skopijiet ta’ statistika. Opinjoni bħal din tnaqqas l-inċertezza legali u tħajjar li jkun hemm politika anti-diskriminatorja billi tagħmilha possibli li jkun hemm statistika komprensiva u ta’ min joqgħod fuqha dwar kull forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni.
“Dan kollu huwa importanti għax li jkun hemm trattament ugwali huwa dritt fundamentali li l-membri kollha tas-soċjetà tagħna għandhom igawdu”, qal Korten Kjaerum, Direttur ta’ l-Aġenzija ta’ l-UE għad-Drittijiet Fundamentali. Qal ukoll li “l-fatt li persuni lesbjani, gay, bisesswali u transesswali għadhom m’humiex trattati l-istess u b’mod ugwali f’ċerti aspetti tal-leġislazzjoni ta’ l-UE, partikolarment fejn jidħlu koppji ta’ l-istess sess, għandu għalxiex jħassibna lilna lkoll”.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)