http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140128/letters/Same-sex-adoption.504455#.UuqHoz2mw8k
Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 00:01 by Jonathan Brimmer, Communications Coordinator, Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties, Valletta
The Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties points out that assertions made by Rev. Prof. Paul Galea in the article “Parents’ Sexual Orientation” (January 23) may mislead the public in the debate on civil union legislation. Unlike what Prof. Galea assumes, Minister Helena Dalli did not quote any studies during her interview with Philip Leone-Ganado of the Sunday Circle, and hence his attribution of such references to the minister is incorrect. The studies Prof. Galea refers to were mentioned by the interviewer, as can be seen from the write-up.
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Times: Lesbian's heart-felt appeal to father over marriage dowry
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140129/world/lesbians-appeal-to-father-over-marriage-dowry.504636#.UuqHGz2mw8k
Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 11:35
The lesbian daughter of a flamboyant Hong Kong tycoon who publicly offered millions of pounds to any man who could woo her into marriage has appealed to her father in an open letter to accept her for who she is.
Cecil Chao made world headlines in 2012 when he tried to find a man who could successfully win his daughter Gigi Chao away from her partner by offering 500 million Hong Kong dollars (£38 million), an offer that a Malaysian newspaper who interviewed him last week said he has doubled.
In a letter to her father published today by two Hong Kong newspapers, Gigi Chao said she knows it is "difficult for you to understand, let alone accept" how she could be romantically attracted to a woman.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 11:35
The lesbian daughter of a flamboyant Hong Kong tycoon who publicly offered millions of pounds to any man who could woo her into marriage has appealed to her father in an open letter to accept her for who she is.
Cecil Chao made world headlines in 2012 when he tried to find a man who could successfully win his daughter Gigi Chao away from her partner by offering 500 million Hong Kong dollars (£38 million), an offer that a Malaysian newspaper who interviewed him last week said he has doubled.
In a letter to her father published today by two Hong Kong newspapers, Gigi Chao said she knows it is "difficult for you to understand, let alone accept" how she could be romantically attracted to a woman.
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Times: N. Cyprus ‘accepts’ gay sex between consenting adults
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140128/world/N-Cyprus-accepts-gay-sex-between-consenting-adults.504497#.UulLYdKmw8k
Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 00:01 by Reuters
Turkish Cypriot-controlled northern Cyprus yesterday became the last territory in Europe to decriminalise sexual relations between consenting, adult men.
Its Parliament voted to abolish the criminal code provisions that carried five year prison sentences. Same-sex relationships between women were not mentioned in the code.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 00:01 by Reuters
Turkish Cypriot-controlled northern Cyprus yesterday became the last territory in Europe to decriminalise sexual relations between consenting, adult men.
Its Parliament voted to abolish the criminal code provisions that carried five year prison sentences. Same-sex relationships between women were not mentioned in the code.
Monday, 27 January 2014
Times: Adoption by gays
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140126/letters/Adoption-by-gays.504113#.UubDjdI1hhc
Sunday, January 26, 2014, 00:01 by Laurence Mizzi, Paola
I would like to congratulate Bishop Charles Scicluna for his stand on civil unions and, in particular, on adoptions by homosexuals.
His clear and unequivocal statements are a breath of fresh air. By stating what is morally unacceptable according to the teaching of the Church, even at the risk of being accused of trying to impose his beliefs on believers and non-believers alike, Scicluna is only doing what is expected of spiritual leaders.
Sunday, January 26, 2014, 00:01 by Laurence Mizzi, Paola
I would like to congratulate Bishop Charles Scicluna for his stand on civil unions and, in particular, on adoptions by homosexuals.
His clear and unequivocal statements are a breath of fresh air. By stating what is morally unacceptable according to the teaching of the Church, even at the risk of being accused of trying to impose his beliefs on believers and non-believers alike, Scicluna is only doing what is expected of spiritual leaders.
Saturday, 25 January 2014
Times: Parents’ sexual orientation
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140123/opinion/Parents-sexual-orientation.503719#.UuP5INI1hhc
Thursday, January 23, 2014, 00:01 by Fr Paul Galea
In last Sunday’s Circle magazine feature entitled ‘New choices, new families’, big chunks were reported verbatim from Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli, who was quoting studies related to the effects of gay parenting on children, including statements by the American Sociological Association.
Unfortunately, none of these were referenced, except for one article by Judith Stacey and Timothy Biblarz.
Thursday, January 23, 2014, 00:01 by Fr Paul Galea
In last Sunday’s Circle magazine feature entitled ‘New choices, new families’, big chunks were reported verbatim from Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli, who was quoting studies related to the effects of gay parenting on children, including statements by the American Sociological Association.
Unfortunately, none of these were referenced, except for one article by Judith Stacey and Timothy Biblarz.
Thursday, 23 January 2014
Times: Beyond gay adoption
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140123/opinion/Beyond-gay-adoption.503720#.UuF0ktI1hhcThursday, January 23, 2014, 00:01 by Ranier Fsadni
Same-sex couples are already dealing with a Mother’s Day for two mothers. Photo: Reuters/Sallie Dean Shatz
In 2004, three years after the Netherlands became the first country to legalise gay marriage, a group of five Dutch scholars, opponents of the innovation, wrote an open letter to all the parliaments in the world that were debating same-sex marriage.
The scholars conceded that they had no evidence that same-sex marriage had undermined traditional Dutch marriage, although the latter was experiencing a decline and the number of out-of-wedlock births continued to rise. However, they did think that the long public debate on the issue – it had dragged for 10 years – had an effect.
In 2004, three years after the Netherlands became the first country to legalise gay marriage, a group of five Dutch scholars, opponents of the innovation, wrote an open letter to all the parliaments in the world that were debating same-sex marriage.
The scholars conceded that they had no evidence that same-sex marriage had undermined traditional Dutch marriage, although the latter was experiencing a decline and the number of out-of-wedlock births continued to rise. However, they did think that the long public debate on the issue – it had dragged for 10 years – had an effect.
Times: Ethiopian stand on gay adoption
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140122/letters/Ethiopian-stand-on-gay-adoption.503586#.UuF0MdI1hhc
Wednesday, January 22, 2014, 00:01 by Allan Gatt, Birkirkara
In a recent article in Times of Malta about gay couples adopting children, I discovered anew how pharisaical people’s ignorance and hypocrisy can be. One sentence reads: “Countries like Ethiopia had been closing doors on adoptions for Maltese because of fears that prospective single parents could be gay.”
Ethiopians, renowned for their inability to govern themselves and for living in the second poorest country in the world despite being one of the richest in mineral resources like gold, potash, copper, platinum and natural gas, are closing doors on adoptions by Maltese parents because these might be homosexual.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014, 00:01 by Allan Gatt, Birkirkara
In a recent article in Times of Malta about gay couples adopting children, I discovered anew how pharisaical people’s ignorance and hypocrisy can be. One sentence reads: “Countries like Ethiopia had been closing doors on adoptions for Maltese because of fears that prospective single parents could be gay.”
Ethiopians, renowned for their inability to govern themselves and for living in the second poorest country in the world despite being one of the richest in mineral resources like gold, potash, copper, platinum and natural gas, are closing doors on adoptions by Maltese parents because these might be homosexual.
Malta Today: Backlash to gay adoption play boosts promotion, inspires ridicule
A YouTube video ‘protest’ against upcoming gay adoption stage drama Jiena Nhobb, Inti Thobb may turn out to be the best possible advert for the Simon Bartolo-penned production, soon to be staged at the Manoel Theatre.
Wednesday 22 January 2014 - 14:33 by Teodor Reljic
Clare Aguis, Roderick Vassallo and Davide Tucci in the already-controversial Maltese production Jiena Nhobb, Inti Thobb.
Operators working within the local cultural scene will often complain that their audiences are almost always made up of the same groups of people, but the producers of upcoming gay adoption drama Jiena Nhobb, Inti Thobb may just break with that uncomfortable tradition thanks to a viral video aimed - ironically enough - to turn potential punters away from the play.
Malta Today: MGRM calls on PN, Church to reverse position to civil unions
Malta Gay Right Movement calls on Church and Nationalist Party to revise position on adoption by same sex couples and endorse civil union law.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/MGRM-calls-on-PN-Church-to-reverse-position-to-civil-unions-20140121
Tuesday 21 January 2014 - 15:21 by a Staff Reporter
The Malta Gay Right Movement (MGRM) called on the Nationalist Party to revise its position on adoption by same sex couples and to fully endorse the civil union bill.
"This is in the best interest of Maltese society and particularly of those children who will continue to be born to LGBT parents," MGRM said.
In a lengthy statement, the organisation addressed a number of issues related to the civil union bill which is currently being discussed in Parliament.
Reacting to arguments which have been brought forward by various public figures on the subject of gay parenting and adoption by same-sex couples, the statement mainly addressed the opposition registered by the Church and the Nationalist Party.
Accusing the Chuch of having an "intrinsically discriminatory and heterosexist attitude" in assuming that one's sexual orientation has a bearing on one's parenting ability, MGRM said "any claim made by the Bishop (Scicluna) and the Catholic Church he represents to tackle homophobia and bullying are, in the final analysis, worthless until the Catholic Church reverses its position to one which recognises that loving relationships between couples of the same-sex are of equal value and worth and as natural and normal although possibly not as common as those between couples of the opposite sex."
Quoting Fr Mark Sultana who said that "gay couples are able to love and to parent," MGRM said that the "logical conclusion of this assertion would be for the church to withdraw its objection to adoption by gay persons since the ability to love and parent is precisely what is expected of adoptive parents."
Noting another objection made by the Church over the natural law principle, MGRM said the Catholic Church goes against the best interest of children being raised by same-sex couples when it opposes legal recognition of both the biological and social parent involved in the child's life, or choses to treat them as unwelcome exceptions rather than as part of the diversity of family forms already present in society.
Reacting to PN leader Simon Busuttil's comments that no one has the right to have children, MGRM said "perhaps someone should inform Dr Busuttil that Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights states that 'Men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry and to found a family, according to the national laws governing the exercise of this right'."
MGRM also took umbrage at the PN's insistence to refer to adoption by same-sex couples as gay adoption.
"There is no such thing as gay adoption. There is simply adoption legislated through the adoption act, with an assessment process which, following the introduction of the civil union bill, will also be open to same-sex couples."
It added that the PN's repeated assertions that the civil union bill grants same-sex couples the right to adopt is "misleading and blatantly untrue."
The organization stressed that the civil union bill simply grants those couples in a civil union the same rights as those enjoyed by married couples. "Therefore any reference to marital status in the adoption act will henceforth also be extended to those in a civil union."
Moreover, MGRM said that it The Times misrepresented its comments over the increased difficulties that couples seeking to adopt might face following the introduction of the civil union bill by using 'gay lobby says equality is the main priority' in a byline, implying that equality comes before the best interest of children.
"The gay lobby has always had the best interest of children at heart. In our view, the best interest of children can never be held to be compromised by a law that seeks to address inequality and discrimination, for, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere'."
MGRM pointed out that a country which arbitrarily discriminates against some of its citizens and denies them equal treatment, recognition and rights whether it be on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, or any other ground, "does a disservice not just to some children but to all children."
On the prominence given by The Times to a survey commissioned by the Catholic Church in Malta which found that 80% are against adoption by same-sex couples, MGRM said "This is not news. The government as well as LGBT activists were well aware of this fact."
"All such surveys demonstrates is that LGBT people live in an at best, heterosexist and at worst, homophobic environment and that much still needs to be done to ensure the equal treatment of LGBT persons and their families in Maltese society."
"More ironic is that the Catholic Church, an organisation in which all authority and power is vested solely in men and where women and children have no voice, should resort to call on the government to take note of public opinion."
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/MGRM-calls-on-PN-Church-to-reverse-position-to-civil-unions-20140121
Tuesday 21 January 2014 - 15:21 by a Staff Reporter
The Malta Gay Right Movement (MGRM) called on the Nationalist Party to revise its position on adoption by same sex couples and to fully endorse the civil union bill.
"This is in the best interest of Maltese society and particularly of those children who will continue to be born to LGBT parents," MGRM said.
In a lengthy statement, the organisation addressed a number of issues related to the civil union bill which is currently being discussed in Parliament.
Reacting to arguments which have been brought forward by various public figures on the subject of gay parenting and adoption by same-sex couples, the statement mainly addressed the opposition registered by the Church and the Nationalist Party.
Accusing the Chuch of having an "intrinsically discriminatory and heterosexist attitude" in assuming that one's sexual orientation has a bearing on one's parenting ability, MGRM said "any claim made by the Bishop (Scicluna) and the Catholic Church he represents to tackle homophobia and bullying are, in the final analysis, worthless until the Catholic Church reverses its position to one which recognises that loving relationships between couples of the same-sex are of equal value and worth and as natural and normal although possibly not as common as those between couples of the opposite sex."
Quoting Fr Mark Sultana who said that "gay couples are able to love and to parent," MGRM said that the "logical conclusion of this assertion would be for the church to withdraw its objection to adoption by gay persons since the ability to love and parent is precisely what is expected of adoptive parents."
Noting another objection made by the Church over the natural law principle, MGRM said the Catholic Church goes against the best interest of children being raised by same-sex couples when it opposes legal recognition of both the biological and social parent involved in the child's life, or choses to treat them as unwelcome exceptions rather than as part of the diversity of family forms already present in society.
Reacting to PN leader Simon Busuttil's comments that no one has the right to have children, MGRM said "perhaps someone should inform Dr Busuttil that Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights states that 'Men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry and to found a family, according to the national laws governing the exercise of this right'."
MGRM also took umbrage at the PN's insistence to refer to adoption by same-sex couples as gay adoption.
"There is no such thing as gay adoption. There is simply adoption legislated through the adoption act, with an assessment process which, following the introduction of the civil union bill, will also be open to same-sex couples."
It added that the PN's repeated assertions that the civil union bill grants same-sex couples the right to adopt is "misleading and blatantly untrue."
The organization stressed that the civil union bill simply grants those couples in a civil union the same rights as those enjoyed by married couples. "Therefore any reference to marital status in the adoption act will henceforth also be extended to those in a civil union."
Moreover, MGRM said that it The Times misrepresented its comments over the increased difficulties that couples seeking to adopt might face following the introduction of the civil union bill by using 'gay lobby says equality is the main priority' in a byline, implying that equality comes before the best interest of children.
"The gay lobby has always had the best interest of children at heart. In our view, the best interest of children can never be held to be compromised by a law that seeks to address inequality and discrimination, for, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere'."
MGRM pointed out that a country which arbitrarily discriminates against some of its citizens and denies them equal treatment, recognition and rights whether it be on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, or any other ground, "does a disservice not just to some children but to all children."
On the prominence given by The Times to a survey commissioned by the Catholic Church in Malta which found that 80% are against adoption by same-sex couples, MGRM said "This is not news. The government as well as LGBT activists were well aware of this fact."
"All such surveys demonstrates is that LGBT people live in an at best, heterosexist and at worst, homophobic environment and that much still needs to be done to ensure the equal treatment of LGBT persons and their families in Maltese society."
"More ironic is that the Catholic Church, an organisation in which all authority and power is vested solely in men and where women and children have no voice, should resort to call on the government to take note of public opinion."
Times: Question on Church survey
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140121/letters/Question-on-Church-survey.503467
Tuesday, January 21, 2014, 00:01 by Anthony Girard, Sliema
Tuesday, January 21, 2014, 00:01 by Anthony Girard, Sliema
The recent survey commissioned by the Church authorities shows that 80 per cent plus of respondents are against adoption by gay couples. I was under the impression, however, that these same authorities oppose this because it goes against “the best interests of the child”.
Now, if the survey results showed that the majority approved of such adoptions, I am sure that the Church authorities would still have insisted on “the best interests of the child”.
So, I ask, why commission the survey in the first place?
Now, if the survey results showed that the majority approved of such adoptions, I am sure that the Church authorities would still have insisted on “the best interests of the child”.
So, I ask, why commission the survey in the first place?
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