Gabi Calleja, coordinator, Malta Gay Rights Movement, Mosta
Candidates’ stand on same-sex couples
While it may come as a surprise to Austin Gatt, the Malta Gay Rights Movement, prior to the last two elections, had already asked political parties as well as individual candidates to state their position on the legal recognition of same-sex couples. The replies received were compiled, sent out to members, posted on our website and circulated as widely as possible.
The Nationalist Party has to this day always preferred to submit a party position rather than allow for individual candidates to declare themselves. It seems that Dr Gatt now disagrees with his own party’s practices.
What is abundantly clear is that Dr Gatt is out of touch with modern civil rights trends and standards. The number of countries introducing marriage equality is slowly but surely increasing with 20 out of the 47 Council of Europe member states having marriage equality or some form of registered partnership for same-sex couples. It is interesting to note that the countries with the most advanced civil rights legislation worldwide, including marriage equality, are actually the countries that are doing best economically and the ones that are rated as those where most people would prefer to live. It would seem that respect for minority rights, a sense of well-being and economic prosperity tend to go together.
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Gerry Cowie
Jul 16th 2011, 21:16
"Modern civil rights trends and standards"........Why is a trend necessarily the correct one? What "standards"? If you look at civil partnerships in the UK, many are collapsing quicker than divorce can occur in Malta!
I see my joke on referenda did not fail to attract the usual secularist humanists! But yes, it would be a waste of money and it could only be consultative, like the divorce one! Hard Cheese, everybody!
Mrs Joana Pura
Jul 16th 2011, 18:52
Like it or not, natural or not the amount of people that are living in unisex couples is increasing. What shall we do? We through them at the edge of the society? But we allow them to pay taxes?
It is a sensitive decision, I don't think that Malta is ready to accept this right now. But we can always work on it.
They are our kids, part of out families, we can't deny their existence. Besides who are we to judge them?
John Meli
Jul 17th 2011, 14:23
Recently I followed many discussions and also read various newspapers to which readers had been noted of saying “How does this God who is so loving and compassionate simply push a homosexual person away from His arms?.”
This reminds me also of what Cardinal Adam Maida, Archbishop of Detroit, said: “I think what the behavioral scientists are telling us is that its not truly a paedophilia's-type problem but a homosexual-type problem”. [Time, dated 5th May, 2002]
If one is acting under the situation of adultery, divorced, polygamy, or under free union, we know that all these are grave offenses against the dignity of marriage. If one takes only the act of homosexuality as experienced by some men and women. This act even locally had recently taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures, so its psychological genesis remained unexplained. Yet the Holy scripture presents such acts as a grave depravity (as explained in Congregation for the doctrine of the faith - Persona humana 8) The sacred doctrine of the faith issued in Rome on the 29th December, 1975, as approved by Pope Paul VI.
So was this Gods' actual plan of human dignity and his actual attitude towards such persons and what are our responsibilities in this respect towards these persons – are they being followed by humans or are we just twisting things to our needs - God still loves them ? For this reason, I would like you to research further such comments and what we are to do regarding this matter.
Mr Vince Cachia
Jul 16th 2011, 16:55
Mhux naturali!!
Russell Sammut
Jul 16th 2011, 18:17
Dazgur li mhux naturali, iz zwieg huwa haga socjali.... Haga li bhalissa qeda isservi biex tifred u tnaqqas id-drittijiet ta Grupp ta nies tad-demm u il-laham li jhossu, ihobbu u ihalsu it-taxxa aktar min haddiehor!
Mr Carmel Pule'
Jul 16th 2011, 20:05
Wisdom in different countries seem to establish stability through a belief or a set of laws based on long term experience.Here is something to appreciate and that different nations must establish " a code of conduct". to talk about "right" is useless as people's mind have a habit of misinterpretation these rights, and all laws have loopholes which the originators never intended to look into when they formulated a code of conduct for humanity. Here is something very interesting and we must ot look at all this behaviour superficially that is from an instinctive point of view, an instinct that could be wrong in its logic as emotions are elastic andl iable of misinterpretating what are " rights normally defined for stablity of a nation!"
From Internet and other cultural behaviour. Opinions on Hermaphrodites - Inter-sexual - Transexual in other cultures!
Please remember that the emphasis on these pages is that of religious -cultural orientation and not that for mundane sexual pleasure. It is important to keep these two clearly defined as the end results of the engagement in these acts have a totally different direction. We will try to elaborate here a little: Remember to keep at the forefront that all jiva souls may become devotees, or serve Krishna, where the restrictions are is toward misidentifying ourselves as these bodies and trying to enjoy the body through illicit sex. As stated over and over in these Sex-files pages, sex is specifically for propagation of the progenitive kind. It is specifically for creating progeny, certainly there is pleasure there, but such sex is not for other recreational enjoyment, of indivual or in a group or congretational manner. It is specifically for bringing children into the world, and that's it. Any sex outside that is considered as being non-productive to it's function and thus non-productive toward its intended purpose, which makes it by definition illicit.
The majority of souls who approach Krishna consciousness are to varying degrees enamoured with illicit sex. It doesn't matter therefore if one is misidentifying oneself as a hetrosexual, homosexual, bis-sexual, trans-sexual or whatever, all are in fact an illusion. The restriction we have upon is is NOT against where one comes from upon approaching Krishna consciousness, but it is an enlightenment that to make advancement in Krishna consciousness one cannot be engaged in illicit sexual activity of any kind. The difference between illict and licit is simple; licit helps one engage in Krishna consciousness in the suitable ashram (shelter) for which propagation of "Rays of Vishnu" (Krishna conscious children) is allowed; illicit sex forces one to falsely identify the body as the self, and then use that facility contrary to its specific function in a non-productive manner in relation to its functional purpose. Thus we hear of so many "break-away factions" who cannot or will not follow the four regulative principles of freedom, and instead mis-identify themselves as; homosexual, gay, lesbian, trans-sexual, even hetrosexual.
Here are a list of commonly known sexual orientations and a few comments revealing their status in factual reality.
Hetro-sexual Hermaphrodite
Homosexual Inter-sexual
Bi-sexual Eunuch
Transvestite Trans-sexual
Hijra (the third sex)
Jessica Salibra Rizzo
Jul 16th 2011, 21:10
It is as natural as being hetro is to you! You are confusing attraction with reproduction, two different issues.... If they weren't two different issues, then all sexual intercourse would be for the purpose of reproducing only!!
Mr Carmel Pule'
Jul 17th 2011, 12:45
Every individual thinks that his/her state of mind is quite "Normal" in creating the "natural " behaviour s/he wants to follow. It is hard to define what is natural, but the result can only be assessed after about a hundred years, or so, when the difference between attraction and reproduction will surface. As I said below, EDUCATION is a powerful drug and makes us think that what we feel is right, never questioning the state of our own brain and mind processing system state!!! In evolution we learnt that it is the survival of the fittest and it is still is. Reproductive instinct saw the human world through million of years of existance, EDUCATION will finish it off with the demands for social rights which are no rights at all. Also a situation as to detect what is right or wrong is to try to go back to the past and leave a " couple making a "family" " see to their own needs, and we shall assess how long that lives on.! Modern living enabled people to ride on other people's back and to generate a civiization solely based wanting more unecessary necessities which we could do without. Education causes the mind to philosophise on effortless pleasures associated with attraction! Based solely on that, the living world will die off in one hundred years.
I am not so religious, and as religions have been based on the experience of human life through a few thousand years, all religions seem to include a behaviour to look the long term stability of the human life and future children , and all religions provide a good pillow to old people like me by drugging our brain with other philosophical concepts. As I am an Engineer, I feel a little lonely on judging others and it is only my short term on earth that I have to go on and all I can say is that there is something of good value in all religions, as I described above, not only the local catholic beliefs. Any secular state which comes our with new relations will have to wait to gather enough experience before formulating a food formula for relations based only on attractions and not reproduction. I feel I already know the answer, but others prefer to look in different directions ather than the correct one. It is a free world and only time will tell as to what is a stable yet an imperfect relation amongst humans. I have a feeling that attraction is necessary but it definetely cannot stop there for a long time stability on human natures.
Mr Carmel Pule'
Jul 16th 2011, 16:43
In time children will not need to read history books as the class curiculum will have a good dose of, explanation to clarify the meaning of Hetro-sexual, Hermaphrodite ,Homosexual, Gays, Inter-sexual, Bi-sexual ,Eunuch, Transvestite Trans-sexual ,Hijra (the third sex) . Hospitals will be active cutting off and transplanting bits and pieces as they do at Madame Tusauds and evolution will see that Hermaphrodites will evolve to ensure a good solution for modern human relations and intimacy. In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes. Many taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrates) do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both partners can act as the "female" or "male". For example, the great majority of pulmonate snails, opisthobranch snails and slugs are hermaphrodites. Hermaphroditism is also found in some fish species and to a lesser degree in other vertebrates. Most plants are also hermaphrodites. Historically, the term hermaphrodite has also been used to describe ambiguous genitalia and gonadal mosaicism in individuals of gonochoristic species, especially human beings. I believe this will be a very long term solution but a shorter term solutions in human relations will be that directed by ants and bees where the whole community will become WORKERS not capable of reproducing offsprings, and a reproductive bee or ant will see to hatching a few million eggs to procreate the species. Meanwhile all the others will be given a drug called Education so that they rise early in the morning and sing all the way to work and back again, thinking that they have such a great life. What a powerful drug EDUCATION is!!!!
Mr C Busuttil
Jul 16th 2011, 15:48
Stop deceiving people, in the USA states that have enacted laws in favour of same sex marriages have had them abrogated by referendums even in liberal california. Further last November in the great majority of the 50 states that form the USA, voted back in power the republican party which well known to oppose same sex marriages and adoption of children by these couples.
In europe opportunist politicians have never asked for the opinion of their electorate on this matter not even Zapatero who was elected not because of his policies but because of the bombs by Al-Qaeda in Madrid and the cover up attempt by the party in power.
Russell Sammut
Jul 16th 2011, 18:50
FYI Get all your Facts Straight!
California continues to allow domestic partnership. This grants same-sex couples almost all state-level rights and obligations of marriage, but does not apply to "federal-level rights of marriage that cannot be granted by states. UCLA’s Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy projected in June 2008 that about half of California’s more than 100,000 same-sex couples would wed during the next three years and 68,000 out-of-state couples would travel to California to exchange vows.(So gay marriage is a success after all)
(SPAIN) The ratification of this law was not devoid of conflict, despite support from 66% of the population. Roman Catholic authorities in particular were adamantly opposed, criticising what they regarded as the weakening of the meaning of marriage. Other associations expressed concern over the possibility of lesbians and gays adopting children. Demonstrations for and against the law drew thousands of people from all parts of Spain. After its approval, the conservative People's Party challenged the law in the Constitutional Court. (66% is a backing no?)
Andy Farrugia
Jul 16th 2011, 12:45
Would the MGRM coordinator like to comment on the findings of the two-decade long research undertaken by Dr Wilkins, Doha International Institute of Family Studies ?
Russell Sammut
Jul 16th 2011, 18:26
Sure, Lets base our approach on an unbiased & independent study of an interfaith Group between Christians and Muslims! How about taking a look at the other studies done by real independent bodies!
Ms P.M Graham
Jul 16th 2011, 21:44
@Russell
Well said.
as in http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_25490.shtml
Dr Wilkins is blinded by faith, he does more harm than good and encourages discrimination and bullying whereas the large proportion of Maltese ARE actually capable of handling same sex families. Alas the Government treats the population of Malta as "not ready".
I have yet to meet ONE person in Malta who does not accept MY family, in fact the exact opposite.
http://www.albawaba.com/qatar%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98doha-international-institute-family-studies-and-development%E2%80%99-co-sponsoring-symposium-vallet
"Malta’s Prime Minister, Lawrence Gonzi will address the delegation at the conclusion of Day One. "
Andy Farrugia
Jul 16th 2011, 22:19
Attacking the messenger rather than the message? Who are the "real independent bodies"? Care to mention any of them?
Mr Robert Callus
Jul 16th 2011, 12:04
A time will come when our students will read in their History books that we even had to discuss this issue. And laugh!
Darren Galea
Jul 16th 2011, 14:43
We already do when it comes to interracial marriage in the U.S.
One day we will all have equal rights.
Jesmond Micallef
Jul 17th 2011, 12:02
Darren Galea,
Your reference to interracial marriage is a very interesting one. Why is there so much social exposure to principles regarding the potential legislative rights on the basis of equality with respect to sexual orientation, marriage for same sex partners and family, when clearly, interracial marriage in society seems to be an issue too. Why is it so rare to witness partners, like husband, wife and children, with different racial backgrounds ?
Gerry Cowie
Jul 16th 2011, 11:38
How about a referendum?
Mr R.E. Saliba
Jul 16th 2011, 12:19
How about you pay for it?
Mr Wally Vella-Zarb
Jul 16th 2011, 13:30
What for? "Secularists and humanists", a very large group that you frequently invoke, already realise that legal recognition of same-sex unions is an inalienable right. In time, even catholics will recognise this fact. It may take a while though if Galileo, Copernicus, flat earth and the terricentric universe are anything to go by.
Mr Edwin Vella
Jul 16th 2011, 14:12
Why spend 4 million euros in a referendum and then do not recognize it?
Russell Sammut
Jul 16th 2011, 18:33
Disagree, it was already a mistake to have a referendum on divorce, minority rights should be given regardless of majority vs minority.... What difference does it make for the general public if same sex couples are legally recognized?
K. Vella
Jul 16th 2011, 19:39
@Edwin Vella
I voted yes and up to my knowledge the referendum will pass. The referendum was recognized by the number of votes from the Parliament as a whole.
MPs has the right and will vote based on their conscience. Divorce was on no ones Electoral manifesto and it was considered and included in this legislature and recognised.