http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/blogs/james-debono/liberals-in-a-brave-new-malta
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2011 by JAMES DEBONO
Post-divorce Malta sees both major parties portraying themselves as a natural home for liberals. Positive, but full bloodied liberals have reasons to remain wary.
Following the yes victory in the referendum, Labour leader Joseph Muscat told us that his party is the natural home for liberals. Now PN information director Frank Psaila reminds us that social liberals can also feel perfectly at home in the PN.
What is most striking in Psaila's claim is that it comes in the wake of a referendum campaign that exposed the confessional doctrine not just of the present PN leader, but also of his predecessor and the ministers who served both party leaders. It comes in the wake of a refusal by Cabinet ministers to ratify the referendum result with their vote.
It is true that social liberals have not been barred from the PN. But when it comes to real issues - be it the marriage agreement with the Vatican signed in 1995 or the divorce referendum - it was the conservatives who called the shots. The problem for the PN is that while liberal voters are needed to win elections, the party has lost the glue that kept the coalition together. For it was the promise of normalisation after 1987 and the EU membership bid in 1998 which kept its disparate voters together.
As regards Muscat's claim of Labour becoming a home for liberals, the argument gets a bit more complicated. I give it to Muscat that his gamble in taking the country to a divorce referendum originally proposed by Gonzi has paid off. I also give him due credit for campaigning for a yes vote in the final days. And Deborah Scembri's decision to contest with Labour has provided him with the perfect liberal trophy to parade before the next election.
Still, it was the same Muscat who must be credited for inventing the idea of a "free vote" meant to accommodate his own confessional MPs. It also remains questionable as to how far Labour is willing to go in secularising and liberalising Maltese society. Probably the IVF issue provides Labour with another opportunity to pounce on the confessionalism of the PN. But how will it react to more radical demands like the introduction of gay marriages or doing away with the notion of a state religion?
Secondly, one should distinguish between a degree of secularism which Labour inherits from the Mintoff days, and social liberalism as a political concept. Mintoff was probably Malta's most secular leader but he was far from being a liberal.
Liberalism goes beyond secularism and comprehends a belief in individual rights, a conscious effort to limit the powers of the state on individuals and a genuine attempt to maximize political pluralism through representative electoral systems which favour consensus-seeking coalitions over ruthless and tribalist one-party governments – notorious in Malta for taking care of their own at the exclusion of others.
Liberals also tend to favour clear separation of powers between the executive, the legislative and the judiciary and to limit the powers of all three through a system of checks and balances. One thing which comes to mind is the direct appointment of Maltese judges by the political class, something that blurs the distinction between the powers. Liberals tend to value the rule of law and tend to be sceptical of law and order populists who exploit moral panic to introduce measures which go beyond the scope of the law.
They also resent the power of lobby groups like our own land squatters or the festa community to act outside the scope of the law. They also tend to be suspicious of laws which do not respect the sovereignty of individuals over their bodies and minds. That is why they question the war on drugs.
Not surprisingly, they also see beyond the myopia of the nation-state by favouring collective European solutions as well as the integration of ethnic minorities through the affirmation of civic patriotism.
One must also distinguish between right-wing economic liberals and left-wing social liberals. While both categories might share common values, they disagree on the role of the state in levelling inequalities. Right-wing liberals who believe in absolute freedom of markets might find a more natural home in a secularized version of the PN.
The choice for left-wing liberals who also believe in state action to eliminate social inequalities, encourage social inclusion and protect the environment, remains more problematic. The latter category still cannot feel at home in a Labour Party, which speaks the language of the populist right-wing when it comes to immigration policies. Neither do they feel comfortable with a brand of economic populism which promises no pain and all gain to all and marries the anti-tax populism of the right with the statism of the old left.
Probably this category remains small in Malta and like its closest political reference-point – the greens – still lacks a critical mass to force change through in the immediate future. Genuine pluralism remains alien in the rowdy Maltese public sphere that still condemns reflexivity to a dark corner.
But the experience of other European countries confirms that the ascendant aspirational and cosmopolitan new middle-class, which is equipped with cultural capital rather than economic capital, is emerging as the propulsive engine of progressive change whose impact could be far more long-term than the equally ascendant xenophobic populism.
And despite all the talk about liberalism we should not forget that dark monsters, who might well take an anti-clerical guise, still lurk beneath the surface. Malta is bound to catch up. The times have only started to change. But it remains unclear how this will eventually change the tectonic plates of Maltese politics.
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on MaltaToday's website.]
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Times: Gay parade tomorrow planning to challenge ‘backward’ Italy
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110610/world/Gay-parade-tomorrow-planning-to-challenge-backward-Italy.369865
Friday, June 10, 2011, by AFP
Europe’s main gay pride festival comes to Rome tomorrow with organisers hoping Lady Gaga’s presence will help amplify their message of defiance against the Vatican and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The US singer is to address what organisers say will be over one million participants with a message of support for gay rights in Italy, which lacks legislation against homophobic attacks and does not allow gay civil unions.
“This is the most backward government Italy has had since World War II,” said Paolo Patane, director of Arcigay, an activist group founded in the 1980s that is helping to organise the EuroPride parade in the Italian capital.
“It’s a government in which the Prime Minister goes with underage girls but then says that Parliament will never approve legislation that contradicts the concept of the family promoted by the Vatican,” he said.
Mr Patane pointed out that the mass gathering in Rome also comes just days after Mr Berlusconi suffered a major defeat in local elections and said he hoped it would help “push out this backward government”.
The EuroPride parade will make its way through the city centre and end with a concert and rally in the Circus Maximus, an ancient Roman arena.
The police are expecting around 500,000 people to take part.
Lady Gaga, who has Italian-American roots and has long lobbied for gay rights in the United States, is expected to sing her hit single Born This Way.
The run-up to tomorrow’s event has been marred by some small anti-gay protests around a fair set up by organisers near Rome train station.
Vladimir Luxuria, the organiser of Italy’s first gay pride festival in 1994 and a former member of Italy’s Parliament, said homophobia is on the rise.
“This Parliament is homophobic. The fish stinks from the head and we have a Prime Minister who is a gay-basher,” said Luxuria, a transsexual who has just published a novel linking homophobia in World War II to the present day.
Mr Berlusconi has long been notorious for his off-colour quips and last year dismissed a sex scandal involving him with a homophobic comment saying: “It’s better to be passionate about beautiful women than to be gay.”
Activists quickly came up with a slogan printed on placards and T-shirts reading: “It’s better to be gay than to be Berlusconi.”
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Friday, June 10, 2011, by AFP
Europe’s main gay pride festival comes to Rome tomorrow with organisers hoping Lady Gaga’s presence will help amplify their message of defiance against the Vatican and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The US singer is to address what organisers say will be over one million participants with a message of support for gay rights in Italy, which lacks legislation against homophobic attacks and does not allow gay civil unions.
“This is the most backward government Italy has had since World War II,” said Paolo Patane, director of Arcigay, an activist group founded in the 1980s that is helping to organise the EuroPride parade in the Italian capital.
“It’s a government in which the Prime Minister goes with underage girls but then says that Parliament will never approve legislation that contradicts the concept of the family promoted by the Vatican,” he said.
Mr Patane pointed out that the mass gathering in Rome also comes just days after Mr Berlusconi suffered a major defeat in local elections and said he hoped it would help “push out this backward government”.
The EuroPride parade will make its way through the city centre and end with a concert and rally in the Circus Maximus, an ancient Roman arena.
The police are expecting around 500,000 people to take part.
Lady Gaga, who has Italian-American roots and has long lobbied for gay rights in the United States, is expected to sing her hit single Born This Way.
The run-up to tomorrow’s event has been marred by some small anti-gay protests around a fair set up by organisers near Rome train station.
Vladimir Luxuria, the organiser of Italy’s first gay pride festival in 1994 and a former member of Italy’s Parliament, said homophobia is on the rise.
“This Parliament is homophobic. The fish stinks from the head and we have a Prime Minister who is a gay-basher,” said Luxuria, a transsexual who has just published a novel linking homophobia in World War II to the present day.
Mr Berlusconi has long been notorious for his off-colour quips and last year dismissed a sex scandal involving him with a homophobic comment saying: “It’s better to be passionate about beautiful women than to be gay.”
Activists quickly came up with a slogan printed on placards and T-shirts reading: “It’s better to be gay than to be Berlusconi.”
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Times: LGBT groups request statement from Pope against homophobic violence
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110610/local/lgbt.369918
Friday, June 10, 2011, 10:41
The European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christian Groups has today sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI asking for true respect of the human rights and the personal integrity of LGBT people.
They forum appealed to the Pope for a clear statement against homophobic violence and any pressure by religious authorities to undergo "reparative therapy", often causing harmful psychological damage.
In this letter the Catholic Church is called on to grant LGBT people the same fundamental right to get involved in a relationship with a beloved other without being afraid of negative consequences from church hierarchies.
Malta's Drachma LGBT and Drachma Parents' Groups have circulated the letter to the bishops of Malta and Gozo.
The European Forum represents 44 Christian LGBT member groups from 23 European countries, Drachma being one of them.
Originally initiated by the Polish group "Faith and Rainbow" the letter was approved by the Forum's annual general meeting in early May.
It indicates a new atmosphere within the Catholic church, where fear and desperation of LGBT people are replaced by courage and the demand for open dialogue.
The letter in full may be read in the pdf attachment [here].
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Friday, June 10, 2011, 10:41
The European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christian Groups has today sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI asking for true respect of the human rights and the personal integrity of LGBT people.
They forum appealed to the Pope for a clear statement against homophobic violence and any pressure by religious authorities to undergo "reparative therapy", often causing harmful psychological damage.
In this letter the Catholic Church is called on to grant LGBT people the same fundamental right to get involved in a relationship with a beloved other without being afraid of negative consequences from church hierarchies.
Malta's Drachma LGBT and Drachma Parents' Groups have circulated the letter to the bishops of Malta and Gozo.
The European Forum represents 44 Christian LGBT member groups from 23 European countries, Drachma being one of them.
Originally initiated by the Polish group "Faith and Rainbow" the letter was approved by the Forum's annual general meeting in early May.
It indicates a new atmosphere within the Catholic church, where fear and desperation of LGBT people are replaced by courage and the demand for open dialogue.
The letter in full may be read in the pdf attachment [here].
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
L-Orizzont: Issib li żewġha gay… xahar wara t-tieġ!
http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=73504
10.6.11
Żwieġ bejn koppja kien annullat wara li l-mara skopriet li żewġha kien jinsab f'relazzjoni ma' raġel ieħor… xahar biss wara t-tieġ
Il-koppja żżewġet fl-2010 wara li kienu ilhom sentejn joħorġu flimkien. Madankollu, matul ix-xahar li damu miżżewġin, qatt ma kellhom relazzjoni sesswali flimkien. Wara l-mara skopriet li żewġha kien qed jiffrekwenta ħbieb irġiel u saħansitra kien f'relazzjoni ma' wieħed minnhom.
Hija għalhekk irrikorriet għand il-Qorti tal-Familja fejn ingħatat l-annullament mill-Imħallef Noel Cuschieri.
[Ara s-sentenza kollha hawn.]
10.6.11
Żwieġ bejn koppja kien annullat wara li l-mara skopriet li żewġha kien jinsab f'relazzjoni ma' raġel ieħor… xahar biss wara t-tieġ
Il-koppja żżewġet fl-2010 wara li kienu ilhom sentejn joħorġu flimkien. Madankollu, matul ix-xahar li damu miżżewġin, qatt ma kellhom relazzjoni sesswali flimkien. Wara l-mara skopriet li żewġha kien qed jiffrekwenta ħbieb irġiel u saħansitra kien f'relazzjoni ma' wieħed minnhom.
Hija għalhekk irrikorriet għand il-Qorti tal-Familja fejn ingħatat l-annullament mill-Imħallef Noel Cuschieri.
[Ara s-sentenza kollha hawn.]
MaltaToday: Gay Christians call on Pope to reconsider position on same-sex relationships
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/gay-christians-call-on-pope-to-reconsider-position-on-same-sex-relationships
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2011
FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2011
Gay rights activists protest 'reparative treatment' being performed by religious groups in Malta. (Photo: Ray Attard/Mediatoday)
'Pope must provide clear information to Christians on Bible passages being used to justify gay violence.'
The organisation for gay Christians Drachma has joined the European Forum of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual Christain groups in a letter to Pope Benedict calling on him to condemn acts of violence against gay people and call for the lifting the penalisation of homosexual acts worldwide.
In the letter signed by Diane Xuereb and Dr Michael Brinkschröder, the forum says that silence from the Pope would be interpreted by abusers as "consent to their actions."
Xuereb and Brinkschröder also called on the Pope to reconsider the Church's position on same-sex and transgender relationships and support these relationships being accepted and blessed in the Church.
"We appeal to Your Holiness to cease to urge Catholics' to vote against the law authorising same-sex relationships. Same-sex and transgender relationships are not dangerous for traditional family existence but in fact support and enhance marriage and family values."
In December 2008 the Holy See refused to support the United Nations declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity. This declaration included a paragraph calling upon States to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention.
The group said the Pope must provide clear information to Christians concerning the passages of the Bible that are used to justify these abhorrent actions. "As with the passages supporting slavery, the verses advocating the killing of persons engaged in same-sex sexual activity must not be interpreted literally," the forum said.
It also called on the Pope to make sure "reparative thearpy" – where Catholic clergy reportedly tries to change people's sexual orientation – is no longer preached.
The forum said an official Church demand for LGBT people to live in sexual abstinence leads to suicides and severe forms of depression as they try to be obedient to the church's teachings. "As science has testified that homosexuality is a variant of sexuality, we appeal that this scientific knowledge is included in the teaching of the church."
Drachma said the Catechism of the Catholic Church says that homosexual persons should be treated with respect, compassion and sensitivity. "If this was truly the case then compassion would not be necessary. Homophobic behaviour and opinions are especially painful when perpetrated by Christians - both clergy and laity, and are not in keeping with showing respect."
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on MaltaToday's website.]
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Times: PN information director urges party action to get liberal voters back
Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 11:14
The Nationalist Party's Information Director has urged the party to take quick action to ensure that social liberal PN voters who felt disappointed by the party's stand on divorce, return to the fold.
"For this to happen the party needs to forcefully put forward its social liberal agenda and urgently take up some very important issues that need to be addressed, namely IVF legislation and cohabitation laws," Frank Psaila says in an opinion piece in The Times.
Following that, he said, more concrete measures need to be taken, not least legislating some "much needed and long overdue civil liberties the country can't afford to postpone any longer."
He did not specify what he was referring to.
Mr Psaila said that no way did his proposals mean that the party should alienate its grass roots, who tended to be more conservative by nature, "but it is a given that unless the party caters for many a social liberal it will have a difficult task come 2013."
"The PN is synonymous with liberty, free choice, respect for human dignity and, above all, solidarity. A healthier social liberal agenda benefits the party but above all the country. The PN needs to win back the trust of many social liberal voters and it needs to do so now," he said.
See the opinion piece in full at
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110608/opinion/Social-liberal-agenda-for-PN.369465
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
The Nationalist Party's Information Director has urged the party to take quick action to ensure that social liberal PN voters who felt disappointed by the party's stand on divorce, return to the fold.
"For this to happen the party needs to forcefully put forward its social liberal agenda and urgently take up some very important issues that need to be addressed, namely IVF legislation and cohabitation laws," Frank Psaila says in an opinion piece in The Times.
Following that, he said, more concrete measures need to be taken, not least legislating some "much needed and long overdue civil liberties the country can't afford to postpone any longer."
He did not specify what he was referring to.
Mr Psaila said that no way did his proposals mean that the party should alienate its grass roots, who tended to be more conservative by nature, "but it is a given that unless the party caters for many a social liberal it will have a difficult task come 2013."
"The PN is synonymous with liberty, free choice, respect for human dignity and, above all, solidarity. A healthier social liberal agenda benefits the party but above all the country. The PN needs to win back the trust of many social liberal voters and it needs to do so now," he said.
See the opinion piece in full at
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110608/opinion/Social-liberal-agenda-for-PN.369465
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Independent: Interview: StandUp: Changing the way of doing politics
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=126687
Article published on 06 June 2011 by Francesca Vella.
Many young people the world over are disillusioned by politics. In Malta, in particular, people are fed up with the way politicians from the two major parties are constantly contradicting each other, Nikita Alamango and Cyrus Engerer tell Francesca Vella. Together with other people with different political views, these two young people created the group StandUp, which was set up to campaign in favour of divorce. But now that the referendum is over, this group of young people feel they still need to 'stand up', discuss and campaign in favour of other civil liberties.
I met Nikita, a member on the PL executive committee, and Cyrus, the Sliema deputy mayor, next to the 'Love' monument in Spinola, St Julian's, where they were immediately stopped by two people who wanted to thank them for their work in the campaign in the run-up to the divorce referendum. They were the main faces of StandUp during the divorce campaign, and people thought they were a couple.
Cyrus tells me, "I suppose this is what keeps us going – it is really good to know that we helped people who are suffering. The campaign was tiring, but very rewarding. Having made a difference, even to just one person, is great.
"When the referendum result was announced, I got this SMS: 'Thank you Cyrus. For the first time in 10 years you make me and my children smile in happiness. I will never forget you.' That is what really makes us want to continue working to help people".
Nikita adds that she believes in the true meaning of serving others. The two are from different political parties, but they have come together, along with other young people, to fight for what they both believe is right.
Similarly, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Evarist Bartolo, Michael Falzon and Michael Briguglio worked together as part of the main pro-divorce movement, Iva għad-Divorzju, Iva għaż-Żwieġ (Yes to Divorce, Yes to Marriage).
Nikita and Cyrus explain that these people did an excellent job to prove that people from different parties can work together on particular issues, and StandUp is trying to continue developing this idea.
Naturally, they do not agree on everything, such as, for instance, the way the government tackled the issue of utility bills.
"They are too expensive," says Nikita.
"They are," replies Cyrus, "but they are an indication of a reality – that is the price of oil".
During the interview, the two also argue about Labour leader Joseph Muscat and the way he tackles certain things related to equality and tolerance.
Nikita: "Joseph Muscat does have the courage to talk about issues that are not necessarily popular."
In response, Cyrus tells her that he does talk about certain things, but he doesn't act on them, while Nikita quickly adds: "He cannot, he's not in government".
Cyrus: "The PL will be writing an electoral manifesto…"
"When we write and it is published, you can criticise it," Nikita replies, in true political style.
At this point, Cyrus points out that they sound like a married couple.
What if they have a different opinion on a particular issue to that of their party?
Cyrus explains that you always get positive and negative feedback, no matter what you do. However, he feels he cannot fail to 'stand up' for something he believes is a human, civil right.
Nikita talks about the fact that people often label you; being in politics is not easy, and the minute you do something, you are immediately labelled.
In fact, Cyrus recalls a particular incident, saying that after StandUp was set up, he had attended a PN seminar and someone asked him why he had turned up, saying: "Aren't you now a Labourite? You should leave".
"There is obviously nothing wrong with being a Labourite. However I was offended: Just because I was fighting in favour of divorce and the PN's position was against didn't mean that I no longer belonged to the party."
But both himself and Nikita are determined to continue working together on certain issues they both agree upon. They feel that people are fed up with the way politicians from different political parties constantly contradict each other.
"My place is within the PN – after all I agree with the party on most issues; but I will continue fighting to change the party's mentality on issues related to civil liberties."
Nikita, on her part, brings up the issue of gay marriage, saying that while Labour leader Joseph Muscat will probably propose civil partnerships, she will fight for gay marriage.
Cyrus says he has started to see a shift with respect to people's involvement in politics.
"We had decades of Nationalists against Labourites, now we're shifting to liberals against conservatives."
Cyrus said he feels that the political class is out of sync with reality, and the two main parties are afraid of taking certain decisions where morality may be involved. The fact that Malta is finally set to have a divorce legislation, in the year 2011, actually proves this, he said.
But it boils down to the fact that there is no proper separation between church and state. While the Church has the right and the duty to express its views, Nikita and Cyrus oppose the scaremongering aspect
Nikita spoke about the hard work that went into the campaign, saying that they received numerous messages and phone calls from people who expressed their gratitude because StandUp was their 'voice'. People tell you their stories and they open up to you, she said, adding that a lot of work was done through Facebook and StandUp's blog.
So what's next for StandUp?
The group will definitely be fighting for gay rights, as well as rights related to in vitro fertilisation (IVF). But it will also be active against censorship, for instance.
"We want to work for civil liberties, tolerance and equality," explains Nikita, adding however, that the most important thing at the moment is to make sure the divorce Bill goes through, because anything could happen.
Having MPs vote against the divorce Bill in parliament is unacceptable to Nikita and Cyrus.
"MPs should have legislated on divorce without having to go for a referendum, as one of the roles of MPs is to safeguard the rights of minorities. Now that the people have spoken clearly in a referendum, it is unacceptable to have some MPs vote against. What kind of democracy is this?" asked Cyrus.
He questions whether the time has come to amend the Constitution with respect to religion. The state has the duty to serve everyone, not only Catholics, Cyrus points out, while Nikita adds that Malta is not a truly secular state.
In fact, the Constitution says: "The religion of Malta is the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion… The authorities of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church have the duty and the right to teach which principles are right and which are wrong… Religious teaching of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Faith shall be provided in all state schools as part of compulsory education".
The Constitution shouldn't put Catholics in a privileged position; there are Maltese people who are not Catholic, they point out.
I ask whether they feel that Maltese people are tolerant.
Cyrus explains that while civil liberties are missing from the country's laws, Maltese people are quite tolerant in certain respects.
"I'm gay and when I'm out with my boyfriend and we hold hands, it's fine. We don't get bad looks. In this sense, people are very tolerant. In Spain, on the other hand, where the laws treat homosexuals and heterosexuals equally, walking in the street with my boyfriend is uncomfortable. People look at you like you're an alien or something. But that doesn't happen much in Malta."
On the other hand, he said he believes a number of Maltese people are prejudiced against Muslims, Arabs and black people.
Nikita points out that a few years back, people would find it very hard to even talk about certain things like gay relationships, divorce, separation and so on.
"Nowadays it is very difficult however, to not know anyone who is gay, separated, cohabiting, or having children out of wedlock. People start to adapt to realities they start becoming familiar with. We have to be altruistic and there is hope."
Profile
• Nikita Alamango, 21, is currently reading for a BSc in Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
• She is a member of the national executive of the Labour Party for the third consecutive year and also the international secretary of the Labour youth forum.
• She was also active in NGOs such as the national youth council.
Profile
• Cyrus Engerer, 29, is Sliema deputy mayor.
• He holds a degree in European Studies and Communications from the University of Malta and a Masters in European Politics from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.
• Currently, he works as an EU-fund consultant and project manager within his own firm, Europoint, after having gained experience as an EU-funds project manager at the Office of the Prime Minister.
• He also worked as the media and communications coordinator for MEUSAC, the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee.
Article published on 06 June 2011 by Francesca Vella.
Many young people the world over are disillusioned by politics. In Malta, in particular, people are fed up with the way politicians from the two major parties are constantly contradicting each other, Nikita Alamango and Cyrus Engerer tell Francesca Vella. Together with other people with different political views, these two young people created the group StandUp, which was set up to campaign in favour of divorce. But now that the referendum is over, this group of young people feel they still need to 'stand up', discuss and campaign in favour of other civil liberties.
I met Nikita, a member on the PL executive committee, and Cyrus, the Sliema deputy mayor, next to the 'Love' monument in Spinola, St Julian's, where they were immediately stopped by two people who wanted to thank them for their work in the campaign in the run-up to the divorce referendum. They were the main faces of StandUp during the divorce campaign, and people thought they were a couple.
Cyrus tells me, "I suppose this is what keeps us going – it is really good to know that we helped people who are suffering. The campaign was tiring, but very rewarding. Having made a difference, even to just one person, is great.
"When the referendum result was announced, I got this SMS: 'Thank you Cyrus. For the first time in 10 years you make me and my children smile in happiness. I will never forget you.' That is what really makes us want to continue working to help people".
Nikita adds that she believes in the true meaning of serving others. The two are from different political parties, but they have come together, along with other young people, to fight for what they both believe is right.
Similarly, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Evarist Bartolo, Michael Falzon and Michael Briguglio worked together as part of the main pro-divorce movement, Iva għad-Divorzju, Iva għaż-Żwieġ (Yes to Divorce, Yes to Marriage).
Nikita and Cyrus explain that these people did an excellent job to prove that people from different parties can work together on particular issues, and StandUp is trying to continue developing this idea.
Naturally, they do not agree on everything, such as, for instance, the way the government tackled the issue of utility bills.
"They are too expensive," says Nikita.
"They are," replies Cyrus, "but they are an indication of a reality – that is the price of oil".
During the interview, the two also argue about Labour leader Joseph Muscat and the way he tackles certain things related to equality and tolerance.
Nikita: "Joseph Muscat does have the courage to talk about issues that are not necessarily popular."
In response, Cyrus tells her that he does talk about certain things, but he doesn't act on them, while Nikita quickly adds: "He cannot, he's not in government".
Cyrus: "The PL will be writing an electoral manifesto…"
"When we write and it is published, you can criticise it," Nikita replies, in true political style.
At this point, Cyrus points out that they sound like a married couple.
What if they have a different opinion on a particular issue to that of their party?
Cyrus explains that you always get positive and negative feedback, no matter what you do. However, he feels he cannot fail to 'stand up' for something he believes is a human, civil right.
Nikita talks about the fact that people often label you; being in politics is not easy, and the minute you do something, you are immediately labelled.
In fact, Cyrus recalls a particular incident, saying that after StandUp was set up, he had attended a PN seminar and someone asked him why he had turned up, saying: "Aren't you now a Labourite? You should leave".
"There is obviously nothing wrong with being a Labourite. However I was offended: Just because I was fighting in favour of divorce and the PN's position was against didn't mean that I no longer belonged to the party."
But both himself and Nikita are determined to continue working together on certain issues they both agree upon. They feel that people are fed up with the way politicians from different political parties constantly contradict each other.
"My place is within the PN – after all I agree with the party on most issues; but I will continue fighting to change the party's mentality on issues related to civil liberties."
Nikita, on her part, brings up the issue of gay marriage, saying that while Labour leader Joseph Muscat will probably propose civil partnerships, she will fight for gay marriage.
Cyrus says he has started to see a shift with respect to people's involvement in politics.
"We had decades of Nationalists against Labourites, now we're shifting to liberals against conservatives."
Cyrus said he feels that the political class is out of sync with reality, and the two main parties are afraid of taking certain decisions where morality may be involved. The fact that Malta is finally set to have a divorce legislation, in the year 2011, actually proves this, he said.
But it boils down to the fact that there is no proper separation between church and state. While the Church has the right and the duty to express its views, Nikita and Cyrus oppose the scaremongering aspect
Nikita spoke about the hard work that went into the campaign, saying that they received numerous messages and phone calls from people who expressed their gratitude because StandUp was their 'voice'. People tell you their stories and they open up to you, she said, adding that a lot of work was done through Facebook and StandUp's blog.
So what's next for StandUp?
The group will definitely be fighting for gay rights, as well as rights related to in vitro fertilisation (IVF). But it will also be active against censorship, for instance.
"We want to work for civil liberties, tolerance and equality," explains Nikita, adding however, that the most important thing at the moment is to make sure the divorce Bill goes through, because anything could happen.
Having MPs vote against the divorce Bill in parliament is unacceptable to Nikita and Cyrus.
"MPs should have legislated on divorce without having to go for a referendum, as one of the roles of MPs is to safeguard the rights of minorities. Now that the people have spoken clearly in a referendum, it is unacceptable to have some MPs vote against. What kind of democracy is this?" asked Cyrus.
He questions whether the time has come to amend the Constitution with respect to religion. The state has the duty to serve everyone, not only Catholics, Cyrus points out, while Nikita adds that Malta is not a truly secular state.
In fact, the Constitution says: "The religion of Malta is the Roman Catholic Apostolic Religion… The authorities of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church have the duty and the right to teach which principles are right and which are wrong… Religious teaching of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Faith shall be provided in all state schools as part of compulsory education".
The Constitution shouldn't put Catholics in a privileged position; there are Maltese people who are not Catholic, they point out.
I ask whether they feel that Maltese people are tolerant.
Cyrus explains that while civil liberties are missing from the country's laws, Maltese people are quite tolerant in certain respects.
"I'm gay and when I'm out with my boyfriend and we hold hands, it's fine. We don't get bad looks. In this sense, people are very tolerant. In Spain, on the other hand, where the laws treat homosexuals and heterosexuals equally, walking in the street with my boyfriend is uncomfortable. People look at you like you're an alien or something. But that doesn't happen much in Malta."
On the other hand, he said he believes a number of Maltese people are prejudiced against Muslims, Arabs and black people.
Nikita points out that a few years back, people would find it very hard to even talk about certain things like gay relationships, divorce, separation and so on.
"Nowadays it is very difficult however, to not know anyone who is gay, separated, cohabiting, or having children out of wedlock. People start to adapt to realities they start becoming familiar with. We have to be altruistic and there is hope."
Profile
• Nikita Alamango, 21, is currently reading for a BSc in Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
• She is a member of the national executive of the Labour Party for the third consecutive year and also the international secretary of the Labour youth forum.
• She was also active in NGOs such as the national youth council.
Profile
• Cyrus Engerer, 29, is Sliema deputy mayor.
• He holds a degree in European Studies and Communications from the University of Malta and a Masters in European Politics from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.
• Currently, he works as an EU-fund consultant and project manager within his own firm, Europoint, after having gained experience as an EU-funds project manager at the Office of the Prime Minister.
• He also worked as the media and communications coordinator for MEUSAC, the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee.
Times: Pope calls on couples to marry, not just live together
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110605/news/pope-calls-on-couples-to-marry.369072
Pope Benedict XVI denounced the "disintegration" of family life in Europe today and called for couples to make a commitment to marry and have children, not just live together, as he reaffirmed traditional Catholic family values during his second and final day in Croatia.
Benedict also voiced the Vatican's opposition to abortion at an open-air Mass at Zagreb's hippodrome, the highlight of his trip to mark the local church's national day of families. Tens of thousands of people, waving small plastic Croatian and Vatican flags, began arriving before dawn at the field muddied by overnight thunderstorms.
The sun shone through the clouds as Benedict arrived for the Mass in his white popemobile, waving to the crowd as he looped around the field, which has a capacity of some 300,000 and appeared nearly full with faithful from across Croatia and neighbouring countries.
This is Benedict's first visit as pope to Croatia, an overwhelmingly Catholic Balkan nation that is poised to soon join the European Union. The Vatican has strongly supported its bid, eager to see another country with shared values join the 27-member bloc.
Yet while Croatia is nearly 90% Catholic, it allows some legal rights for same-sex couples and, thanks to leftover communist-era legislation, permits abortion up to 10 weeks after conception and thereafter with the consent of a special commission of doctors.
In his homily, Benedict lamented the "increasing disintegration of the family, especially in Europe" and urged young couples to resist "that secularised mentality which proposes living together as a preparation, or even a substitute for marriage."
"Do not be afraid to make a commitment to another person!" he said.
He urged parents to affirm the inviolability of life from conception to natural death - Vatican-speak for opposition to abortion, saying "Dear families, rejoice in fatherhood and motherhood!" He also urged them to back legislation that supports families "in the task of giving birth to children and educating them".
His message - delivered mostly in Italian and translated into Croatian - has been received with a resounding welcome in Croatia, which Benedict's predecessor Pope John Paul II visited three times during and after the Balkan wars of the 1990s.
"It's great the pope's here," said Karmela Sokolic, a young girl who said she arrived at the hippodrome at 4am to snag a place near the altar. "I just love the pope and I love that I am here."
Sister Monica Zvonarek said the pope's presence in Croatia gives hope to all families. "He can encourage us, our politicians to enter in Europe," she said as she waited for the Mass to start.
Monsignor Valter Zupan, in charge of family issues in the Croatian bishops' conference, said Europe had been founded on deeply Christian values about marriage between man and woman, but that these values were being threatened by trends that favour "different types of living together which don't have any foundation in European culture."
Croatia has recognised same-sex couples since 2003 and allows gay partners in relationships of more than three years rights of inheritance and financial support, the same as enjoyed by heterosexual couples who aren't married. There is no gay marriage, however, and gay couples cannot adopt.
"We want our children to continue to call their parents 'mamma' and 'papa' because that's their natural names," he told the applauding crowd. "Children have the right to publicly state that a 'father' and a 'mother' gave them life," he said, adding that the church also had the right to demand the government reverse its abortion law.
As he arrived in Zagreb yesterday on his 19th foreign visit, Benedict urged Croatia to use its new role in the EU to remind Europe about its Christian heritage "as a matter of historical truth" - a constant refrain of this pope who has made fighting Europe's increasing secularisation a priority. He also urged young Catholics to hold fast to their faith and values and not be tempted by "enticing promises of easy success".
Later today after Mass, Benedict will pray before the tomb of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, Croatia's World War II primate whom John Paul beatified during a 1998 trip.
Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. But his beatification was controversial because many Serbs and Jews accuse him of sympathising with the Nazis.
On Saturday en route to Zagreb, Benedict praised Stepinac as a model for having defended "true humanism" against both the communists and the Ustasha Nazi puppet regime that ruled Croatia during the war. The Ustasha, said the German-born pope, "seemed to fulfil the dream of autonomy and independence, but in reality it was an autonomy that was a lie because it was used by Hitler for his aims."
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Benedict also voiced the Vatican's opposition to abortion at an open-air Mass at Zagreb's hippodrome, the highlight of his trip to mark the local church's national day of families. Tens of thousands of people, waving small plastic Croatian and Vatican flags, began arriving before dawn at the field muddied by overnight thunderstorms.
The sun shone through the clouds as Benedict arrived for the Mass in his white popemobile, waving to the crowd as he looped around the field, which has a capacity of some 300,000 and appeared nearly full with faithful from across Croatia and neighbouring countries.
This is Benedict's first visit as pope to Croatia, an overwhelmingly Catholic Balkan nation that is poised to soon join the European Union. The Vatican has strongly supported its bid, eager to see another country with shared values join the 27-member bloc.
Yet while Croatia is nearly 90% Catholic, it allows some legal rights for same-sex couples and, thanks to leftover communist-era legislation, permits abortion up to 10 weeks after conception and thereafter with the consent of a special commission of doctors.
In his homily, Benedict lamented the "increasing disintegration of the family, especially in Europe" and urged young couples to resist "that secularised mentality which proposes living together as a preparation, or even a substitute for marriage."
"Do not be afraid to make a commitment to another person!" he said.
He urged parents to affirm the inviolability of life from conception to natural death - Vatican-speak for opposition to abortion, saying "Dear families, rejoice in fatherhood and motherhood!" He also urged them to back legislation that supports families "in the task of giving birth to children and educating them".
His message - delivered mostly in Italian and translated into Croatian - has been received with a resounding welcome in Croatia, which Benedict's predecessor Pope John Paul II visited three times during and after the Balkan wars of the 1990s.
"It's great the pope's here," said Karmela Sokolic, a young girl who said she arrived at the hippodrome at 4am to snag a place near the altar. "I just love the pope and I love that I am here."
Sister Monica Zvonarek said the pope's presence in Croatia gives hope to all families. "He can encourage us, our politicians to enter in Europe," she said as she waited for the Mass to start.
Monsignor Valter Zupan, in charge of family issues in the Croatian bishops' conference, said Europe had been founded on deeply Christian values about marriage between man and woman, but that these values were being threatened by trends that favour "different types of living together which don't have any foundation in European culture."
Croatia has recognised same-sex couples since 2003 and allows gay partners in relationships of more than three years rights of inheritance and financial support, the same as enjoyed by heterosexual couples who aren't married. There is no gay marriage, however, and gay couples cannot adopt.
"We want our children to continue to call their parents 'mamma' and 'papa' because that's their natural names," he told the applauding crowd. "Children have the right to publicly state that a 'father' and a 'mother' gave them life," he said, adding that the church also had the right to demand the government reverse its abortion law.
As he arrived in Zagreb yesterday on his 19th foreign visit, Benedict urged Croatia to use its new role in the EU to remind Europe about its Christian heritage "as a matter of historical truth" - a constant refrain of this pope who has made fighting Europe's increasing secularisation a priority. He also urged young Catholics to hold fast to their faith and values and not be tempted by "enticing promises of easy success".
Later today after Mass, Benedict will pray before the tomb of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, Croatia's World War II primate whom John Paul beatified during a 1998 trip.
Stepinac was hailed as a hero by Catholics for his resistance to communism and refusal to separate the Croatian church from the Vatican. But his beatification was controversial because many Serbs and Jews accuse him of sympathising with the Nazis.
On Saturday en route to Zagreb, Benedict praised Stepinac as a model for having defended "true humanism" against both the communists and the Ustasha Nazi puppet regime that ruled Croatia during the war. The Ustasha, said the German-born pope, "seemed to fulfil the dream of autonomy and independence, but in reality it was an autonomy that was a lie because it was used by Hitler for his aims."
[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]
Independent: Cohabitation Bill 'insulting' to gay people
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=126606
Article published on 05 June 2011 by Francesca Vella
The forthcoming presentation of a Bill on cohabitation is insulting to gay people, according to Cyrus Engerer and Nikita Alamango, two of the 'faces' of the pro-divorce movement StandUp.
In an interview with our sister daily newspaper being published tomorrow, Mr Engerer, the Sliema deputy mayor, and Ms Alamango, a member of the Labour Party's national executive, said that StandUp will not cease to exist now that the majority of the population has voted in favour of divorce legislation.
Mr Engerer and Ms Alamango come from different parties, but they believe that they should and can work together on things they both agree on, such as legislation that would give gay people the right to get married.
Aside from these young politicians, StandUp is made up of other young people with different political views, and the vote in favour of EU membership eight years ago had strengthened the country's principles of solidarity, equality and tolerance, the group said.
"For seven years we were stagnant. Now we have voted in favour of divorce, but this is just the beginning. People voted on divorce as part of a whole package with respect to a modern, European, secular Malta. It started when the referendum result was announced. We are now on the path to give full equal rights to all citizens," said Mr Engerer.
Ms Alamango added: "We're not talking about anything new; we're talking about what is supposed to be there, but is not."
StandUp is against the way the cohabitation Bill will tackle LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) relationships since it will put them on a par with friendships and relationships between brothers and sisters, or a man and his uncle.
"Although the contents of the cohabitation Bill are yet to be officially revealed, it will simply give recognition to the fact that people are living under the same roof, which is different to recognising that people have an intimate, loving relationship. It insults me deeply that my relationship will be same as a relationship between a brother and a sister," said Mr Engerer, adding that it is gay marriage that will truly give gay couples equal rights that 'straight' couples have.
He asked whether or not Malta is truly an EU country, and pointed out that the freedom of movement principle does not work properly when EU citizens don't benefit from the same rights.
How could you have freedom of movement if one State recognises a gay couple, while another State does not?
Mr Engerer brought up as an example, a Spanish gay person who is in a relationship with a Turkish person. That couple can get married and live in Spain, but they cannot settle down in Malta, even though Spain and Malta are both EU members and therefore technically both apply the principle of freedom of movement.
The Turkish person would either need a visa, or live in Malta for just three months or so – he or she would not be able to settle down here with his or her partner, and that, said Mr Engerer, goes against EU law.
StandUp will be fighting for a system in which there is mutual recognition of laws with respect to the single market in the EU; certain rights have to be the same in every EU country.
The group also intends working in the field of IVF (in vitro fertilisation). Mr Engerer and Ms Alamango said the Social Affairs Committee seems to want to take a very conservative stand with respect to IVF. For instance, gay people would be excluded from the law, and there is also an issue with regard to embryo freezing and the number of embryos that can be frozen.
A number of issues such as these, explains Mr Engerer, boil down to the fact that there is still no proper separation between Church and State in Malta; otherwise politicians would not have a problem legislating on such matters.
"Nikita and I, together with other young people in StandUp, have found things we agree on. We may not necessarily agree on issues such as utility bills, but we have no problem working together in areas on which we have a common stand."
Their intention is to do politics in a different way to what people have been used to over the years, in the same way that people from the different political parties (particularly Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Evarist Bartolo, Michael Falzon and Michael Briguglio) came together to campaign in favour of divorce.
Ms Alamango pointed out: "We want to do this, even if the issues we will be fighting for are not necessarily in line with a particular stand taken by our party. To give you an example, most probably Joseph Muscat will be proposing civil partnerships for gay people, but I will definitely fight for gay marriage."
The full interview will be published in tomorrow's edition of The Malta Independent.
Article published on 05 June 2011 by Francesca Vella
The forthcoming presentation of a Bill on cohabitation is insulting to gay people, according to Cyrus Engerer and Nikita Alamango, two of the 'faces' of the pro-divorce movement StandUp.
In an interview with our sister daily newspaper being published tomorrow, Mr Engerer, the Sliema deputy mayor, and Ms Alamango, a member of the Labour Party's national executive, said that StandUp will not cease to exist now that the majority of the population has voted in favour of divorce legislation.
Mr Engerer and Ms Alamango come from different parties, but they believe that they should and can work together on things they both agree on, such as legislation that would give gay people the right to get married.
Aside from these young politicians, StandUp is made up of other young people with different political views, and the vote in favour of EU membership eight years ago had strengthened the country's principles of solidarity, equality and tolerance, the group said.
"For seven years we were stagnant. Now we have voted in favour of divorce, but this is just the beginning. People voted on divorce as part of a whole package with respect to a modern, European, secular Malta. It started when the referendum result was announced. We are now on the path to give full equal rights to all citizens," said Mr Engerer.
Ms Alamango added: "We're not talking about anything new; we're talking about what is supposed to be there, but is not."
StandUp is against the way the cohabitation Bill will tackle LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) relationships since it will put them on a par with friendships and relationships between brothers and sisters, or a man and his uncle.
"Although the contents of the cohabitation Bill are yet to be officially revealed, it will simply give recognition to the fact that people are living under the same roof, which is different to recognising that people have an intimate, loving relationship. It insults me deeply that my relationship will be same as a relationship between a brother and a sister," said Mr Engerer, adding that it is gay marriage that will truly give gay couples equal rights that 'straight' couples have.
He asked whether or not Malta is truly an EU country, and pointed out that the freedom of movement principle does not work properly when EU citizens don't benefit from the same rights.
How could you have freedom of movement if one State recognises a gay couple, while another State does not?
Mr Engerer brought up as an example, a Spanish gay person who is in a relationship with a Turkish person. That couple can get married and live in Spain, but they cannot settle down in Malta, even though Spain and Malta are both EU members and therefore technically both apply the principle of freedom of movement.
The Turkish person would either need a visa, or live in Malta for just three months or so – he or she would not be able to settle down here with his or her partner, and that, said Mr Engerer, goes against EU law.
StandUp will be fighting for a system in which there is mutual recognition of laws with respect to the single market in the EU; certain rights have to be the same in every EU country.
The group also intends working in the field of IVF (in vitro fertilisation). Mr Engerer and Ms Alamango said the Social Affairs Committee seems to want to take a very conservative stand with respect to IVF. For instance, gay people would be excluded from the law, and there is also an issue with regard to embryo freezing and the number of embryos that can be frozen.
A number of issues such as these, explains Mr Engerer, boil down to the fact that there is still no proper separation between Church and State in Malta; otherwise politicians would not have a problem legislating on such matters.
"Nikita and I, together with other young people in StandUp, have found things we agree on. We may not necessarily agree on issues such as utility bills, but we have no problem working together in areas on which we have a common stand."
Their intention is to do politics in a different way to what people have been used to over the years, in the same way that people from the different political parties (particularly Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Evarist Bartolo, Michael Falzon and Michael Briguglio) came together to campaign in favour of divorce.
Ms Alamango pointed out: "We want to do this, even if the issues we will be fighting for are not necessarily in line with a particular stand taken by our party. To give you an example, most probably Joseph Muscat will be proposing civil partnerships for gay people, but I will definitely fight for gay marriage."
The full interview will be published in tomorrow's edition of The Malta Independent.
L-Orizzont: L-MGRM jawgura li drittijiet u responsabbiltajiet individwali jingħataw lil gruppi oħrajn minoritarji
http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=73323
4.6.2011 minn Charlot Zahra
Il-Malta Gay Rights Move ment (MGRM) laqa b'sodis fazz jon ir-riżultat tar-referendum dwar id-divorzju "fejn l-elettorat lokali esprima il-qbil tiegħu favur l-introduzzjoni ta' leġiżlazzjoni li tippermetti divorzju ċivili".
"Nixtiequ nifirħu lill-Moviment IVA kollu ta' dan is-suċ ċess, kif ukoll lill-votanti kollha li taw sehemhom biex iwass lu għal rebħa daqshekk enfatika," saħaq l-MGRM fi stqarrija għall-istampa.
Fisser kif ir-riżultat tar-refe ren dum "ampjament juri li s-soċjetà Maltija hi altruista u tir rikonoxxi r-realtajiet u bżon nijiet ta' gruppi ta' mino ran za fi ħdanhom".
Ir-riżultat pożittiv tar-refe ren dum favur id-divorzju "juri l-kwalitajiet ta' kompassjoni, tolleranza u aċċettazzjoni," saħaq l-MGRM fl-istqarrija tiegħu.
Dan jimmarka mument im portanti fl-evoluzzjoni tas-soċ jetà Maltija, "waħda li fiha l-libertajiet ċivili jistgħu jibdew jiffjorixxu, u d-drittijiet u r-responsabbiltajiet individwa-li jin għataw lil gruppi ohrajn mi noritarji," awgura l-MGRM.
B'mod partikolari, hu żmien "li drittijiet sinjifikanti u sostanzjali jiġu introdotti fil-konfront tal-komunità LGBT loka li, drittijiet li jirriflettu l-bżon nijiet u l-aspirazzjonijiet ta' koppji u familji," temmet tgħid l-istqarrija tal-MGRM.
Il-Malta Gay Rights Move ment (MGRM) laqa b'sodis fazz jon ir-riżultat tar-referendum dwar id-divorzju "fejn l-elettorat lokali esprima il-qbil tiegħu favur l-introduzzjoni ta' leġiżlazzjoni li tippermetti divorzju ċivili".
"Nixtiequ nifirħu lill-Moviment IVA kollu ta' dan is-suċ ċess, kif ukoll lill-votanti kollha li taw sehemhom biex iwass lu għal rebħa daqshekk enfatika," saħaq l-MGRM fi stqarrija għall-istampa.
Fisser kif ir-riżultat tar-refe ren dum "ampjament juri li s-soċjetà Maltija hi altruista u tir rikonoxxi r-realtajiet u bżon nijiet ta' gruppi ta' mino ran za fi ħdanhom".
Ir-riżultat pożittiv tar-refe ren dum favur id-divorzju "juri l-kwalitajiet ta' kompassjoni, tolleranza u aċċettazzjoni," saħaq l-MGRM fl-istqarrija tiegħu.
Dan jimmarka mument im portanti fl-evoluzzjoni tas-soċ jetà Maltija, "waħda li fiha l-libertajiet ċivili jistgħu jibdew jiffjorixxu, u d-drittijiet u r-responsabbiltajiet individwa-li jin għataw lil gruppi ohrajn mi noritarji," awgura l-MGRM.
B'mod partikolari, hu żmien "li drittijiet sinjifikanti u sostanzjali jiġu introdotti fil-konfront tal-komunità LGBT loka li, drittijiet li jirriflettu l-bżon nijiet u l-aspirazzjonijiet ta' koppji u familji," temmet tgħid l-istqarrija tal-MGRM.
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