People burst into tears as the voice of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, announcing that the Civil Unions Bill had passed the third reading, echoed across St George’s Square in Valletta.

The Parliament’s facade was immediately lit up with the colours of the rainbow as hundreds of people hugged and danced.

“It is a historic decision and change for Malta. We absolutely support inclusiveness. On behalf of the American people, congratulations,” US Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley told Times of Malta, moments before a six-tiered mock wedding cake was cut under a canopy.

Academic Carmen Sammut said it was a “historic day”, adding she could not miss joining her friends, who have been waiting for legislative recognition of their relationship.

It is a historic decision and change for Malta

TV presenter Ray Calleja, who led the party from a stage, said it was about time legislation caught up with reality. Gay couples were already living together and having children of their own.

Behind him, people handed out mock-wedding veils and sparklers as they waited for voting to kick off. Some brought small radios to listen to the parliamentary sitting while others broadcast the discussion on their mobile phones. When the vote counting started the crowd fell silent, bursting into cheers as the Bill went through.

Among those present were NGOs who have been fighting for the LGBT community to be given more rights. Gabi Calleja, who heads MGRM, was cheered on the stage when Mr Calleja described her as a “pillar”.

She said she could not understand the concern about adoption of children by gay couples. Experts had shown that the structure of the family did not make a difference in the upbringing of children, so people need not worry, she told this newspaper.

Neil Falzon, who heads the human rights NGO Aditus, said the law would make a huge difference for him. His marriage abroad could not be recognised by the State. “Tomorrow I will wake up a married man, not a person who is just living with a friend.”

AD chairman Arnold Cassola told an ecstatic crowd that Malta was celebrating love.

The joy of those present in the square was not shared by those concerned about the implications of the new law, especially when it comes to gay adoption.

Suzanne Vella, a mother who had publicly expressed concern about the Bill, said the law was saying that having both a mother and a father was not important anymore.

“IVF by donor and surrogacy are now legitimised and children will suffer the lack of connection with a biological father or mother just like children with a dead parent.

“Tolerance is a word which both gays and straights need. We will never stigmatise gay parents or their children – we love them like other parents and children. May this law help the gay community feel more accepted within society.”

Toni Buttigieg, from Valletta, said he did not have a problem with civil unions but was concerned that children adopted by gay couples could get bullied at school.

Rose Sammut, from Birkirkara, was not convinced about adoption by gay couples. Other than that, she felt the law would have had to pass at some point as Malta caught up with the rest of the world.

‘PN on wrong side of history’

Not everybody in the Nationalist Party agreed with the parliamentary group’s decision to abstain, with former MP Karl Gouder expressing regret on his Facebook wall.

Mr Gouder, who was the first openly gay MP, described yesterday’s occasion as “an important day for Malta”.

“[I] just wish that the party I love so much could have done more to get to this day,” he wrote ahead of the vote.

It was a sentiment shared by former PN MEP candidate Edward Demicoli, who said that on social issues the PN was “on the wrong side of history”.

After the vote, Mr Demicoli tweeted: “Being gay no longer means you will be discriminated against in Malta. Civil unions finally made legal.”

Law may expose children to adverse effects – Bishop

Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna yesterday expressed regret that the civil unions law would result in an adopted child possibly having same-sex parents.

He said this state of affairs may expose the children of gay adoptive parents to “adverse effects”.

“This does not reflect the order established by God in creation,” Mgr Scicluna told Times of Malta.

He argued it also went against the principle that the best interests of the child should be the paramount concern in legislation.

“It is hoped that this principle will remain paramount when-ever the new law is applied,” Mgr Scicluna said.

He was reacting after Parliament approved the Civil Unions Bill granting gay couples the same rights and obligations of marriage.

Mgr Scicluna said it was positive that the law gave legal protection to same sex couples but regretted the fact that it did not respect the “intrinsic and deep-seated distinction” between marriage and civil unions.

He noted that the government had entrusted the drafting of the Civil Unions Bill to “a closed lobby” that chose not to listen to suggestions.

“The Church will continue to promote the family according to God’s plan... [and] do whatever is in its power to help children grow up in a loving and caring environment offered by a mother and a father,” he said.

However, Mgr Scicluna reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to the promotion of a society where every member “feels at home and unjust discrimination is banished.”

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