Lawmakers on Monday unanimously approved through all stages an amendment to the civil union and gender identity law ensuring adopted transgender persons are given the right to change their identity.

Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli said it was very positive that other countries were looking up to Malta as an example of good practice in this sector. Malta had received high praise indeed for the positive action it had taken to ensure the rights of LGBTI persons, among others from the Transgender Europe and ILGA Europe.

Despite this, she said, the Opposition still tried to depict the law as incomplete and not carefully drafted.

She said Jason Azzopardi (PN), under the guise of a “pro-active opposition”, had issued a statement proposing amendments which would have caused more legal uncertainties for adopted persons. Human rights should never be used to score political points, she said.

It was only now, she remarked, that the PN was in a hurry to enact legislation in favour of LGBTIs.

Clyde Puli (PN) said the Opposition had contributed to making the gender identity bill a much better law than the one initially presented.

The legislation had certain shortcomings as it applied to those born in Malta and who had changed their gender, but not to those who were adopted. Fortunately this had been noticed at an early stage and was being amended.

Mr Puli said that in the zeal to fight all forms of discrimination, one should not deny families the duty to pass on their values to their children. There should also be protection for those who believe in the traditional family structure.