It is still too early to introduce gay marriage in Malta but civil unions should pave the way forward for same-sex couples, mirroring what had happened in other countries, according to the only independent think tank.
“Once Malta introduces civil unions, society will in due course move towards the realisation that same-sex marriage makes as much sense, as happened in France and the UK. It is a process we have to go through,” according to Martin Scicluna, who authored the Today Public Policy Institute’s report on civil rights for same-sex couples.
The report was published yesterday to coincide with the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
Chastising Parliament for neglecting the rights of same-sex couples for too long, it calls for the introduction of civil unions, exclusively to same-sex couples, without further delay. However, it rules that gay marriage is “one step too far for Malta at this time”.
Mr Scicluna said big disagreements in other countries always boiled down to the word ‘marriage’ and whether this should be redefined, but civil unions help to break these barriers.
Entitled Same Sex: Same Civil Entitlements, the report was intended to stimulate public debate and is also meant as a contribution to the Consultative Council set up by the Government to draw up a bill on civil unions.
Authored by Mr Scicluna, the report says it would be “premature and impolitic” to introduce gay marriage but civil unions would go a long way in addressing the inequality between homosexuals and heterosexuals who want to commit to a loving and stable relationship.
The report says studies should take place to determine the sensitive issue of children but Mr Scicluna said this did not mean legislation must be delayed. Instead, the law could be framed in a way that allows this issue to be decided at a later date.
The report says the Government should actively consider the inclusion of gender reassignment surgery and hormone therapy for transgender persons as part of the public health service, “subject to affordability”.
Meanwhile, anti-discrimination legislation should also be enacted to safeguard the rights of LGBT people, including by making homophobic and transphobic violence and hate crimes as a criminal offence.
Mr Scicluna said he believed the Government would honour its electoral pledge to introduce civil unions and his paper was intended to map out the various issues that legislation would need to tackle.
“As long as society continues to treat them as second class citizens, LGBT individuals will continue to be victims of homophobic incidents, threats, intimidation, verbal abuse and assaults,” said Mr Scicluna, adding that gay marriage should not be rammed down the throats of the “fairly conservative” Maltese society.
Mr Scicluna, who formed part of the pro-divorce movement, pointed out that the TPPI had written a successful report on divorce four years ago.
The introduction of divorce was psychologically groundbreaking for the country, he said, adding that it would be interesting to see how the public was going to react to gay rights.
His feeling was that society was more enlightened now and would be largely accepting to civil unions.