Gay Rights Movement calls for more rights
The Malta Gay Rights Movement has welcomed the outcome of the divorce referendum and called for more rights for the LGBT community.
"The referendum result amply shows that Maltese society is altruistic and cognisant of the realities and needs of minority groups within their midst, and exhibits the qualities of compassion, tolerance and acceptance," the movement said.
"This marks a watershed in the evolution of Maltese society, one in which civil liberties can start to flourish, and individual rights and responsibilities are afforded to other minority groups. In particular, it is time for meaningful and substantial rights to be enacted in favour of the local LGBT community, rights that reflect the needs and aspirations of LGBT couples and families, rights that are inclusive and truly bring the LGBT community within the fold and embrace of the society and nation that they aspire to live in and contribute to," the movement said.
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31 Comments
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Matthew Vella
Jun 5th 2011, 22:32
I'm gay and so I'm obviously all for gay rights but this is NOT the time to try start the debate on gay rights. Maybe a year from now, but not just after the divorce debate. Its just not politically savvy to try do so now. There are many Christians who voted in favor of divorce who would love an opportunity to prove their Christian beliefs, and nothing says Christian more than lets hate on the gays. So as a gay guy, even I say, lets give people some time :)
Philip Hili
Jun 1st 2011, 21:13
Qabel ir-referendum jiena kont urejt it-thassib tieghi li jekk ir-referendum jghaddi, sensiela ta' "drittijiet civili" ohra jigu introdotti fis-socjeta' Maltija, fosthom l-abort, ewtanasia u zwieg bejn l-istess sess.
Kien hemm hafna galantomi li qaluli :- u dan x'ghandu x'jaqsam!!!!!
BEDJNA RESQIN!!!!!!! WHADA WAHDA
Colin Stanley
Jun 2nd 2011, 17:26
i AGREE WITH YOU.
Mr John Scicluna
Jun 1st 2011, 20:33
To aim for the maltese community to be more compassionate, tolerant and accepting for any kind of person he or she be it as was born is of course something I agree with, but that doesn't mean that we can use it as an excuse to fight for rights and liberties...
One may argue that its their right for gay marriages to be tolerated... but as someone who has other opinions, then its my right not to abide by this and therefore I have my own liberty and wouldn't like if someone were to impose on me that I have to accept gay marriages... everyone is free to do whatever he or she wants in the privacy of their home, but don't impose on me that I should accept and approve such a relationship...
With this said, I have to say that I have nothing against homosexuals or any kind of attractions people might have, but when one fights for his own right and liberty, then he or she should also consider other people's right and liberties, especially if there are third parties involved, such as adopted children...
Rachel Agius
Jun 2nd 2011, 10:36
Don't approve of gay marriage? Don't get one.
Gerry Cowie
Jun 1st 2011, 19:44
The referendum only shows that a small minority of people gave a Yes vote, that 48% said no and too many people abstained. But you can put whatever spin suits you on any result. It does not mean that everything else will change in some kind of chain reaction!
Mr Martin Saliba
Jun 2nd 2011, 07:32
For once i agree with you.
Mr Chris G
Jun 1st 2011, 18:09
I suspect the Maltese public will be even more accepting of gay marriage than they were of divorce legislation. There were some (few) valid arguments against divorce legislation but there is no valid argument against the introduction of gay marriage.
Emma Cassar
Jun 1st 2011, 15:46
how about having more Animal Rights aswell for the poor animals who cant voice their opinion ...
Ms Rhonda Balzan Bastow
Jun 1st 2011, 17:24
yeah, how about it. There's a march this weekend apparently. Look for it...
Mr Charles Bayliss
Jun 1st 2011, 15:45
M'hemm l-ebda' bzonn ta' Referendum biex ahna l-gays ninghataw drittijiet ugwali daqs l-istraights. Ahna cittadini bid-dmirijiet u suppost drittijiet daqshaddiehor u nahseb Referendum ikun aktar hela ta' flus. Nemmen li l-maggoranza tal-Maltin saru jifhmu il-weghgat taghna u jaqblu li ghandna nkunu ugwali. Ghala le? Ahna mhux daqs haddiehor nikkontribwixxu lejn il-pajjiz - jekk mhux izjed ukoll, peress li ghal Gvern ahna ilkoll SINGLES. Hemm progress qawwi madwar l-Ewropa ghad-Drittijiet tal-Gays. Ghaliex Malta Demokratika le????
Kurt Mifsud
Jun 1st 2011, 15:38
Qed nara l-kummenti tan-nies hawn taht. Din x'mentalita hi li kulhadd irid jilhaq salib haddiehor? Ghixu hajjitkom u hallu lil haddiehor jghix tieghu. Kulhadd irid jimponi
Mr john vella
Jun 1st 2011, 15:04
Being one who voted against Divorce and so I have become one of the minority groups. Will LP consider to stand and defend us as a minority group?
Yesterday during the morning Parliament session I heard an LP spokesman defending the gay group as a minority, saying they should have rights too.
Or is it two weight and two measure.
Mr W Cassar
Jun 1st 2011, 16:11
Baseless argument...One question I ask you ? What right do you not have Mr John Vella?
Ms Rhonda Balzan Bastow
Jun 1st 2011, 17:25
OH, GROW UP!!!
Mr Robert Callus
Jun 1st 2011, 17:32
The "minority" you are in wanted the right to interfere in other people's business. And got it. What are you complaining about? Do you have the cheek to ask for more?
Ginevra Alvarado
Jun 1st 2011, 14:47
I have a feeling that gay marriage is the next ....
Kurt Mifsud
Jun 1st 2011, 15:37
And what's that gonna change in your life? Or do you find happiness in seeing the different unhappy?
Stephen Koludrovic
Jun 1st 2011, 17:04
And what happens if eventually you might find a new love and wish for a divorce? Who takes the alimony?
DamianPaul Cassar
Jun 1st 2011, 14:26
The ''chain reaction'' of rights as mentioned in the letter dated 12th march 2011 (no.4). I think more is to come...
Ms S Micallef
Jun 1st 2011, 13:42
one thing at a time please....let's give our older generation some breathing space.
Mr Joseph Calleja
Jun 1st 2011, 15:39
Thank you Ms Micallef. Slow down a bit so we can catch up with you younger generation. If I remember correctly we pulled the same thing on our parents when we were young and most of them were left behind. As you can see, some of us are still living in that archaic bubble and refuse to come out. Maybe this world is moving too fast: The media, the internet, mobile phones, texting and driving at the same time, contraceptives, cohabitation, free speech, the Malta Gay Rights Movement, corrupt politicians( that was always there), unknown father syndrome and of course the divorce issue. One step at a time, please, don't push the issue. Give us old timers some space and let us catch up a bit. We are still very upset and stunned by the divorce vote outcome. That Yes vote came as a major shock to us old timers.
Ms Rhonda Balzan Bastow
Jun 1st 2011, 17:26
@Joseph, may I ask, WHY?
Victor Cauchi
Jun 1st 2011, 13:39
So there it goes! Many were right to say that the so called Divorce Referendum was a hefty misnomer for further "rights and liberties" and the key to ample liberal reform.
Will morality and 'civil rights' be the crux of the next general elections?
And in that case, how fair will such elections be?
Would the Church be able to speak out then, or would it risk incurring penalties for corrupt practices?
Mr W Cassar
Jun 1st 2011, 14:18
@ Victor
What is wrong with gay people having rights such as marriage? If it were put to the vote Im sure the YES vote will be more than that of the divorce vote.
Again the church should have no say as this does not effect them.
Mr M Farrugia
Jun 1st 2011, 14:22
naghmlu referendum iehor sabiex issa naghtu id-drittjiet lil dawn in-nies? Warajhom jigu dwk li jkunu iridu l-abort, l-eutanasia, u kullana ta oħrajn. Jekk kien hemm min kien qieghed jghid matul il-kampanja tad-divorzju nirbhu dan u wara inkomplu ghaddejja. Forsi ghalhekk rajna xi gays jiehdu sehem fil-kampanji favur id-divorzju.
Kenneth Grima
Jun 1st 2011, 14:26
@Mr.Cauchi
what liberties? they are just rights Mr.Cauchi. Do you know what it means when your partner is dying and you are denied entrance cos you are not family? or that although you make a will but still the family have the right to take part of the inheritance and your partner robbed? or that your partner has to pay the government taxes on his partner's property after a lifetime of loan payments? no you don't you are just selfish Mr.Cauchi.
Mr M Farrugia
Jun 1st 2011, 14:27
Following the divorce issue, on which a referendun was held even though this issue was not part of any political programme except for A.D. which is not represented in Parliament, we urge the political parties to state clearly in their electoral programme which minority groups issue they intend to deal with when in government
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jun 1st 2011, 14:43
Victor Cauchi who told you that the majority who voted for divorce would approve of such rights that the gays want? People can collect signatures for a referendum to settle matters and it will not be necessary to put such things in political parties election programmes.
Ramon Casha
Jun 1st 2011, 14:47
And your problem with rights and liberties are...?
Mr P Bonnici
Jun 1st 2011, 18:31
@ Mr M Farrugia
Why do you refer to gays as 'dawn in-nies' 'this lot'? That is derogatory. Why do you compare gays with abortion? Abortion is killing. Many gays are against abortion. Please do not mention gays in the same context as abortion or eutanasia.