Updated - Adds video - Some 30 people from the River of Love Christian fellowship group waited outside Parliament this evening to present MPs with a 10,000 signature petition against gay adoptions.

The initiative was led by pastor Gordon-John Manche’ who said the petition was collected to give children a voice.

He said that 80 per cent of the people of Malta did not want the Bill on Civil Unions, which included a proviso allowing gay couples to adopt, to go ahead.

Moreover, the bill was proposing marriages not unions.

“Jesus Christ does not want this,” he said.

Some fellowship members held a banner reading Alla jhobb lil kulhadd imma ma jhobbx kollox (Jesus loves everyone but not everything).

The petition was presented to Government whip Carmelo Abela, Opposition whip David Agius and deputy speaker Censu Galea.

Meanwhile, supporters of the bill are collecting an online petition saying "equal rights are for everyone.

"God loves everyone, don't let anyone brain wash you! We live in the same world, no one has the right to take your rights away!

"We will fight for what is right and what is wrong!"

A total 1,300 signatures had been collected by 5.45pm.