Gay rights group ‘can’t go to school’
Lesbian, gay and bisexual students are more likely to feel depressed, attempt suicide and skip class – but are not catered for by the Maltese school system.
Educators found it “almost impossible” to access schools and teach students about LGBT issues, Malta Gay Rights Movement coordinator Gaby Calleja said yesterday.
Although the authorities were willing to engage with the MGRM on individual cases, there was much more institutional resistance with broader school policy, she said.
“We’ve only been invited to one school – an independent – and even then we were given a list of things we weren’t allowed to say because parents had objected,” Ms Calleja said.
She was speaking during a roundtable discussion about supporting LGBT secondary school students, organised by the US Embassy.
US-based studies consistently showed LGBTQ – the ‘Q’ stands for ‘questioning’ – high school students faced much higher health risks than heterosexual peers, schools’ health consultant James Bogden said.
Such students were more likely to report symptoms of depression, attempt suicide, play truant or use drugs than their peers. They were twice as likely to be coerced into sex.
Mr Bogden said countering such effects required direct intervention in schools as well as support networks for LGBT students’ families.
“All hell broke loose once just because two girls in a youth club hugged each other. I had to explain to them that there’s nothing wrong with showing emotion,” youth worker Stephanie Camilleri said.
According to St Ġorġ Preca College prefect of discipline, Philip Pace, students were sometimes too public in their displays of affection.
“There’s no need to be so bombastic about your sexual orientation, be it gay or straight,” he said.
Some participants said it would be difficult to adequately discuss such issues within Church schools and Church-led youth clubs, although counsellor Michael Conti argued it was sometimes possible.
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Christian Sciberras
Nov 23rd 2012, 00:22
Well, I suppose LGBT is the new fancy... there goes my hopes for preferential treatment of gifted* students...
*As in intelligence, creativity etc, not missing a leg, blindness etc (apparently people confuse these two nowadays).
Matthew Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 23:02
I learned about homosexuality at secondary school and I didn't engage in it, because I'm not a homosexual. You don't choose your sexuality based on exposure.
Roger Tirazona
Nov 22nd 2012, 22:43
Can someone explain to me how as an educator I am to educate their children about the European Convention of Human Rights, while at the same time repeating the hogwash printed in the comments below? Not letting Gay people participate in a democratic education? How is that enshrined in the convention of Human Rights if I may ask?
Rachel Agius
Nov 22nd 2012, 20:58
Teaching kids about straight or gay sex does not 'encourage' them to 'experiment'. Their own curiosity and eventually their hormones will take care of that. I think children who are questioning their sexuality, particularly boys, are an even more vulnerable group, possibly coming to the conclusion that since there is no risk of pregnancy, unprotected sex is not risky. Forewarned is forearmed.
Vanessa Mifsud
Nov 22nd 2012, 21:37
Well said Rachel!
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 23rd 2012, 06:42
Children questioning their sexuality cannot be "helped" by removing them from their parents' and their competent teachers' care and assigning them to the "care" of a pressure group like LGPT whose main purpose is to recruit more support for their movement.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 22nd 2012, 18:54
@ Kenneth Grima
I would like to advise you to moderate the terms and language you use in my regard.......if you have lost your cool and your ability to argue rationally, logically and DECENTLY then you should stay away from your keyboard.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 18:46
Caring parents have the right and the duty to protect their own children from outside influences that they believe to be harmful without being insultingly accused of "hating" those who are seeking resented access to their children when they are at school so as to corrupt them.
Robert Callus
Nov 22nd 2012, 22:46
Parents do not have absolute rights over children. They are not their property. And if parents teach harmful things to children, like equating homosexuality with necropilia, like you did below, the kids have to be protected.
If these kids happen to be gay, they will end up hating themselves, drugs suicide and so on. NO that is not acceptable.
kelly agius
Nov 22nd 2012, 23:32
so you think if you work with a gay man you ll be influenced to sleep with him ?? i wonder because my friends who are str8 always remained str8 . jek int cert fuqek inifsek li inti str8 why does it effect you soo much to be well educated about it ?? i wonder .. why dont we just live and let live ?? and instead of judging and pretending we know it all start loving everyone around us no matter what
rodolfo buontempo
Nov 23rd 2012, 10:31
Dear, -or not so dear- Mr Saliba.. I would like you to read this article http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/italian-boy-commits-suicide-after-facebook-and-school-gay-hate221112... I think we have come to a point where it is no longer in the parents's hands to determine what is taught in school. certain issues just are, and need to be tackled with asap
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 18:35
@Kenneth Grima today at 17:27.
I am not contradicting myself. Just because homosexuality exists in nature it does not mean that it is natural. So do cannibalism, bestiality necrophilia etc but they are all perversions of nature not natural.
Vanessa Mifsud
Nov 22nd 2012, 20:14
".. it does not mean that it is natural" You mean common. And what proof do you have exactly? Are you a doctor? I will make sure neither myself nor anyone I know will ever be seen by you. Your words are far lower than that of a doctor.
Dan Vella
Nov 22nd 2012, 20:46
Int bis-serjeta'?????Qed thallat l omosesswalita' ma dawn l-affarijiet???? Ehe l-omosesswalita' hija naturali ghax dawn in-nies jafu jhobbu daqs,anzi jekk mux iktar min persuni "straight' bhalek sinjur nifhem f'kollox,ghandkom din il-mentalita' li min hu gay mohhu fis-sess biss,issa xebbajtuna,qas idea m'ghandkom it-tbatija li jghaddu minna dawn in nies,ma nafx x'tahsbu li intom,injoranti zgur!!!!
Kenneth Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 22:10
@F.Saliba you mentioned 3 behaviours where only one side gains on the suffering of the other, where there is no consent by the other individual or creature. While homosexuality is another kind of human sexual expression where a relationship of love could flourish between 2 consenting adults by comparing homosexuality to such behaviours shows what kind of sick reasoning you have.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 23rd 2012, 10:29
@VanessaMifsud.
Yes, I am a contented doctor and I am not annoyed by your choice of a personal physician. Rest assured that I do not hate you for your insults. I excuse them because the truth often hurts, however the truth is what it is, not what we would like it to be.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 22nd 2012, 18:00
And the American ambassador, Dr/ Ms Winstanley Abercrombie,should ensure that she and her staff stick to diplomatic matters and not indulge in any subversive attempts to influence/manipulate the way our children are educated. That is the responsibility of parents, our educational authorities and educators.
Ms. P.M Graham
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:51
The answer is simple then. Allow LGBT teachers to teach the children regarding this subject.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 22nd 2012, 18:13
Dear Ms P. M. Graham you can educate your children as you please but kindly allow me and others the freedom of choice to educate our children in the best way we deem fit. As regards public educational institutions, church schools and independent schools there are criteria, qualifications and competencies which have to be adhered too for any adult to have access to children.
Ms. P.M Graham
Nov 22nd 2012, 18:38
Mr Farrugia.I have always had a problem with sex education in schools. I have always felt that sex education was, a parents job and that I would teach my children age appropriately However, I also realize that not all children have that opportunity and are not always taught good, honest moral values or sex education at home which is of course why there is a need for classes of this type.
Matthew Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 23:00
Andy Farrugia, can we use your logic to remove Catholicism from state schools then?
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:44
Comments by Kenneth Grima and Robert Callus are enough to alert parents that the LGBT is trying to use public schools so as to abuse the natural curiousity of the young and to tempt them to experiment with homosexuality and how wise school authorities are to scotch this subversive attempt to corrupt their children.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:32
Sexual education in schools / colleges is one of the most sensitive subjects and it requires highly trained professionals. There should be no place for Special Interest Groups or political organisations in the education of vulnerable children and adolescents. As a parent and educator, I would resist any attempt by the school authorities to allow access to students by non-qualified individuals.
Marc Buhagiar
Nov 22nd 2012, 16:47
It would seem that we would have to educate the parents as well who are so against this. Open your minds and hearts and stop hating.
Andy Farrugia
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:36
I am a parent and an educator and I do NOT HATE anyone. But I certainly resent any intrusion into the way I bring up my children as well as any kind of "brainwashing" of my children by unqualified personnel. And I do not need you to tell me what to do with my mental or cardiac faculties, thank you very much.
David Buttigieg
Nov 22nd 2012, 18:00
@Andy Farrugia
I'm a parent too and I couldn't have put it better!
Well said!
Matthew Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 22:59
"Brainwashing".. like forcing them to believe that whatever isn't like you is unnatural?
David Buttigieg
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:41
But what do you expect? That I allow my children to be taught that so called gay marriage etc. is normal?
No way!
My children's values are MY responsibility, if you don't like it tough!
I teach them that discrimination\bullying of ANY kind is wrong!
They WILL be raised as Catholics, until they are old enough to choose their own way!
Tolerance does not mean forcing others to think your way!
kelly agius
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:13
i feel personally offended by your comments. especially when you are contradicting your self by saying "they will be raised as catholics , until they are old enough to choose their own way!" when it comes to religion you chose for them and imposed it on them you didnt wait for them to to grow old enough and choose what s best for them. i think Parents are the ones who should be educated
Kenneth Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:19
It's normal Mr.Buttigieg, it's not common & not in majority but it is normal, Sexual orientation that is part of Sexual education should be the responsability of the state not just the parents."Tolerance does not mean forcing others to think your way" part refers to you because you are forcing your way on your children, until they are of age. By the time they have their age it could be too late.
Kenneth Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:25
With a reasoning like yours your children won't open their heart to you about their sexual orientation because bullying already exists in your words. By preparing the young of what life is and educating them about what it consists of cannot harm them but you have to open their eyes that life is not black or white thaier are a lot of grey in between or better a rainbow of colours.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 16:59
@KennethGrima
For a normal human being, with a normal anatomy and a normal physiology, it is AGAINST nature and it is NOT normal to indulge in sodomy and other homosexual acts.
Your idea of "big brother" state abducting children from their parents and using them for its own advantage is abhorrent and it went out with the notion that babies are cannon fodder.
Kenneth Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:27
@F.Saliba You are contradicting yourself when you say it is against nature when homosexuality exists in nature not just in humans but in more creatures.When the numbers tell that between 5-10% of the worlds population is homosexual and that includes 5-10% of us Maltese and keep on saying it is against nature you are really flawed.If it helps to safeguard children&youth yes the state should force.
Kenneth Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:35
@F.Saliba.Homosexuality doesn't distinguish between catholic or muslim, black or white, men or women, those children and youth that are suffering could be your children or mine, you rgrand children or mine and because of closed minded persons with flawed reasoning like yours these persons could be their only help as no homosexual would open his heart with a person with your kind of reasoning.
David Buttigieg
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:48
@Kelly Agius
"when it comes to religion you chose for them and imposed it on them you didn't wait for them to to grow old enough and choose what s best for them. "
My goodness how sill! Of course I raise them with my values, as any parent does! If you have a problem with it then I repeat, tough!
David Buttigieg
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:58
@Kenneth Grima
"you are forcing your way on your children, until they are of age. By the time they have their age it could be too late."
You must be joking, so I should raise my children with other people's values rather then my own?
Ha! Not in a thousand years!
Too late for what? To think gay marriage is OK? To me, and my family it's not!
Matthew Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 22:57
No, you are not raising them with your values, you are forcing your values on them (which aren't yours actually, as they were forced on you, and on those that raised you, and so on). You give your children guidelines and allow them to ask questions when and how they want and not when they are old enough.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 23rd 2012, 08:46
@KellyAgius
Catholic parents do not impose religion on their children any more than they impose the alphabet, the multiplicaion tables, how to read and write, languages or arithmetic, in preparation for the time when they can make their own choices
The irreligious have succeeded to mesmerise themselves by the repeated lie that the Church imposes when it only teaches. They only fool themselves
Robert Callus
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:40
Prohibiting students from such education is shameful especially since a few of them are gays themselves.
Unless these kids are taught that it is something normal, they will grow up hating themselves and try to be someone they aren't.
If some parents resist it, it means there is need for MORE education. If their kids happen to be gay, they are more likely to have a hard time growing up.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 14:05
@RobertCallus.
No education should be forbidden but education related to sex should be given by competent teachers not by exponents of the Lesbian and Gay movement. The reason should be obvious.
Kenneth Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:12
@Francis Saliba if you don't know Ms Gaby Calleja the Malta Gay Rights Movement Coordinator is a University Lecturer, I am sure she knows what she is doing.
Robert Callus
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:24
Obvious like what, like telling kids homosexuality is not normal, like you say in a comment below and compare it to a foetal deformity?
Kids need to know that it's OK if they're gay. Some people are gay, it's 100% normal and there's nothing to worry about. And that society is going to accept them like they are.
Who tells them is not important.
John Neville Ebejer
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:52
Qualify yourself as an authority on child education or psychology and you can argue on these points.
I am responsible for the education of my children and I want qualified educators. Sure I want these important issues to addressed in schools but not by Movements or foreign Embassies.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:10
@RobertCallus.
Sodomy etc are not normal, not natural, for reasons already given to Kenneth Grima q.v.
There is no need to instruct a whole classroom of impressionable children how to explore if they are normal and heterosexual or not. That is asking for trouble. That is a problem to be tackled on an individual basis in private.
Kenneth Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:42
@F.Saliba Why to take for granted that all our children and youth are heterosexuals and start worrying when that one particular individual have trouble apart from the ones hidden that are afraid of telling because they live with parents like your kind. It is time to tackle the problem from the roots that are parents and go on to safeguard our children and youths and the state should help.
A Sultana
Nov 22nd 2012, 10:16
and then they say that LGBT individuals choose what they are. nobody chooses to be depressed. homosexuality is as natural as heterosexuality
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:41
@ASultana
The G in LGBT does not stand for "depressed", it stands for GAY.
Homosexuality occurs in nature but that does not make homosexuality as natural/normal as heterosexuality. Anatomy and physiology disprove it. Foetal deformities occur but that does not mean that dicephaly is a natural, normal state of affairs.
This terminological ambiguity is intentional and meant to confuse.
Kenneth Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:50
@Francis saliba shame on you to compare dicephly to homosexuality. Yes homosexuality is normal as heterosexuality period. Your reasoning is flawed.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:16
@KennethGrima.
I supply arguments. You present worthless personal opinions that lack authority. My reasoning does not become "shameful" or "flawed" just because you say so. Who do you think you are to "lay down the law"?
Matthew Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 22:51
Homosexuality is not normal because it isn't the norm. But it is as natural as heterosexuality. "Natural/normal" isn't the correct choice of words.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 09:51
Schoolteachers educating schoolchildren not to discriminate against anybody, including homosexuals, is plain common sense. Clandestinely promoting homosexuality under the guise of teaching students about LGBT issues by lecturers who are active homosexuals themselves would be totally unacceptable.
Ms. P.M Graham
Nov 22nd 2012, 11:05
so an active Soldier, shouldn't educate the children about the armed forces.
a drug addict or recovering drug addict shouldn't educate the children about harmful drug addiction.
an anorexic shouldn't educate the children on eating disorders.
Just in case?
George Debono
Nov 22nd 2012, 12:02
Never was a truer word said. Arent the LGBT vying to be treated normally? Then no one should use a creeping inducement method to encourage them to be gay, or lesbian, when they are normal.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 14:40
A soldier is the right person to address school leavers about job opportunities but not to make war look attractive.
A drug addict would not be fit to teach schoolchildren unless closely supervised during an anti-drug activity.
An anorexic patient would be acceptable only to discourage anorexia.
The LGBT do not have any intention to discourage homosexual practices in schoolchildren
Kenneth Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:38
Who will be promoting anythng?Who can understand LGBT youth more than LGBT persons.Talking about the issue doesn't mean promoting it.Who is straight will never be influenced in any way,sexual orientation is part of one's self,it is not a disease it is not contagious.Sexual orientation should be part of Sexual education and the quicker we do it the better as changes are at our doorstep.
John Neville Ebejer
Nov 22nd 2012, 15:40
A soldier who is also qualified as a teacher should be allowed to educate chidren about the armed forces.
But being an active soldier or a recovering drug addict does not qualify you to be a child educator even if it is a subject you have experience of.
Same applies for other scenarios.
As parents we want our right to have qualified educators educating our children respected.
J Demicoli
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:11
@ Ms. P.M. Graham
Our educators follow a four year university degree course in order to earn their ‘Educator’ title. May I ask you on what basis are your Drug addict and/or anorexic being considered capable of educating OUR children. If your educators’ only qualification is having played Russian roulette with their lives, then thank you very much keep your 'education' to yourself.
Ms. P.M Graham
Nov 22nd 2012, 17:16
To John Neville Ebejer, it happens in schools world wide. I remember my daughters school being visited by parents who had lost their daughter to ecstasy. They went round 100's of schools. They weren't teachers, they just had first hand experience so to speak. That is just one example. There are many others.
Francis Saliba M.D.
Nov 22nd 2012, 20:33
@MsPMGraham.
The visiting victims of the drug habit were trying to dissuade children from starting on a career of drug abuse. The LGBT are not bent on a similar mission of dissuading children from practicing homosexuality.
Spot the difference?
Ms. P.M Graham
Nov 22nd 2012, 21:52
your opinions worry me Francis Saliba M.D
Ms. P.M Graham MUM
Matthew Grima
Nov 22nd 2012, 22:49
How can sexuality be promoted exactly? You can promote comfort in your own sexuality.
As having sex with another man is not something that I find appealing, no amount of promotion will push me towards it.
Please choose the reason of your report below: