Gay Rights Movement meets PN

The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) this evening presented a petition, backed by 1,084 signatures, to the Nationalist Party asking for formal recognition of the rights of same sex couples; the inclusion of an article in the Criminal Code regarding homophobic and transphobic violence, and a clear strategy addressing homophobic and transphobic bullying in schools.

The petition also seeks legal protection against discrimination in the delivery of goods and services expressly referring to the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; the formal extension of the remit of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality to cater for the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; and the inclusion of gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy for transgender persons as part of the public health services.

Present for the meeting were Education Minister Louis Galea, MEP Simon Busuttil and party General Secretary Joe Saliba.

The movement said that the PN was adamant that the definition of marriage was strictly that of a union between a man and a woman, and therefore same-sex marriage was out of the question. Nonetheless, the Nationalist Party was committed to addressing the rights of cohabitating persons - whether heterosexual couples, gay couples or siblings.

The MGRM representatives made the point that the relationship between gay couples should not be equated to that between siblings.

Dr. Busuttil referred to proposal number 235 in the PN's electoral manifesto which states that the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality's mandate will be extended to cover all grounds of discrimination. He argued that this could also pave the way for research on issues related to sexual orientation discrimination including those surrounding the lack of recognition of same-sex couples and homophobic bullying in schools - issues on which research within the local context is lacking.

The MGRM representatives said that they had contacted the Education Division with a proposal for a survey on anti-gay bullying in schools. Dr Galea indicated that such studies should ideally be conducted by the education authorities.

The PN representatives declared themselves to be in favour of anti-discrimination legislation relating to the provision of goods and services and stated that they would be willing to support an EU directive to this effect.

With regards to access to gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy for transgender persons as part of the public health services, it was stated that this had not yet been discussed at party level. Joe Saliba acknowledged the importance of this issue as it related to one's identity and therefore had a huge impact on the individual's quality of life.

Gabi Calleja, MGRM Coordinator, stressed that transsexual persons were among the most vulnerable and socially excluded groups, and that a government that had social inclusion high on its agenda should consider addressing the needs of this group as a priority.

The movement said that the position expressed by the PN representatives during this meeting laid the groundwork for further constructive discussion in future. "MGRM hopes that this will result in concrete policy actions should the Nationalist Party be re-elected."