The use of gender neutral terms in the amendments to the marriage law is the simplest and most logical solution to introduce equality for all, the MGRM Malta Gay Rights Movement said today.
Some MPs and former MPs have criticised the fact that the law as amended will make no reference to mothers or fathers.
"If the law is to reflect the fact that married couples can be composed of heterosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, cisgender, transgender, intersex or gender queer individuals or any combination of these then the use of gender neutral terms is the simplest and most logical solution," the MGRM said.
"It also removes the anomalies that could arise under the current legislation following the introduction of the Civil Union and Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Acts came into force."
This, it added, did not prevent any cisgender woman who gives birth from referring to herself as a mother or a cisgender man who is the biological father of a child from referring to himself as a father. It was, however, inclusive of the myriad variations already possible under current legislative provision such as a trans or intersex man giving birth to a child or a lesbian couple accessing reproductive health services abroad and giving birth to a child, or a gay couple accessing surrogacy services legally available in some countries to father a child.
"This isn’t pre-empting a discussion or changes required to the Embryo Protection Act as claimed, but recognising what is already possible and happening and ensuring that children, irrespective of their origin and the choices made by their parents are able to have the legal protection that the recognition of both parents irrespective of the biological ties that may or may not exist provides."
The movement also noted concerns that a consequence to the law would be the requirement for schools to make changes to textbooks. Again, the MP’s concerned seem to be forgetting that Maltese law and public policy has already changed where the recognition of Rainbow Families is concerned. Malta’s Education Policy Framework already calls for an inclusive school environment that recognises diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics. Schools are already obliged to amend their practice to reflect current realities and the diversity of the school community. The introduction of marriage equality does not change this. There is no heterosexist, homophobic or transphobic bubble big enough to somehow isolate children from the world around them. A visible and empowered LGBTIQ community, a largely accepting Maltese society as well as the multiple sources of information that children have access to and the impossibility of policing them 24/7 makes sure of that.
"Again, the MPs concerned seem to be forgetting that Maltese law and public policy has already changed where the recognition of Rainbow Families is concerned. Malta’s Education Policy Framework already calls for an inclusive school environment that recognises diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics. Schools are already obliged to amend their practice to reflect current realities and the diversity of the school community. The introduction of marriage equality does not change this. There is no heterosexist, homophobic or transphobic bubble big enough to somehow isolate children from the world around them. A visible and empowered LGBTIQ community, a largely accepting Maltese society as well as the multiple sources of information that children have access to and the impossibility of policing them 24/7 makes sure of that.
"Schools are already obliged to amend their practice to reflect current realities and the diversity of the school community. The introduction of marriage equality does not change this," the movement said. There is no heterosexist, homophobic or transphobic bubble big enough to somehow isolate children from the world around them. A visible and empowered LGBTIQ community, a largely accepting Maltese society as well as the multiple sources of information that children have access to and the impossibility of policing them 24/7 makes sure of that.
"There is no heterosexist, homophobic or transphobic bubble big enough to somehow isolate children from the world around them. A visible and empowered LGBTIQ community, a largely accepting Maltese society as well as the multiple sources of information that children have access to and the impossibility of policing them 24/7 makes sure of that."
The MGRM said that if improvements to the proposed bill meant addressing any oversights, they were certainly welcome. "If however it meant compromising on inclusion to maintain heterosexual and cisgender privilege, then no thank you."