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Matthew Vella
The Malta Gay Rights Movement has published the results of its questionnaire sent to prospective candidates to the European Parliament, asking them for their views on discrimination, personal human rights for gays and lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered (LGBT) and on the thornier recognition of gay marriages and adoption.
Candidates were asked to answer ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘don’t know’ to the set of questions. Those which returned the questionnaire were the Nationalist Party, the Malta Labour Party, Alternattiva Demokratika, John Zammit for Alpha, Norman Lowell for Imperium Europa, Damien Iwueke and Lino Farrugia.
There was general agreement between all the groups on most aspects on combating discrimination. All respondents save Norman Lowell supported the immediate transposition of the EU’s Equal Treatment Directive, which includes the protection from discrimination of sexual orientation.
Far-rightist Norman Lowell answered ‘no’: “We are not going to let ‘homos’ and lesbians teach or be in contact with our children. We are not going to let you come close to our children. Keep it in mind!” he warned.
According to the PN candidates, which, like Labour, answered all the questions en masse, the Nationalist government has already implemented this directive fully in Maltese legislation.
Norman Lowell, however, agreed, like all other parties, to support the extension of legislation to prohibit gay discrimination in other areas apart from work, such as social security, social protection, education and services. The PN expressed its reservations: “In principle we are against all forms of discrimination. However, there are certain sensitive points where the rights of third parties, especially children, take precedence and have to be safeguarded.”
All respondents also said they would support legislation against gender identity discrimination, referring to transsexuals. The PN answered ‘yes’ as long as such a matter fell under EU competence: “Apart from that, the Maltese Courts have already expressed themselves on this matter.”
Hunters’ candidate Lino Farrugia said he would not work for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered rights if elected to the European Parliament.
Norman Lowell expressed his uncertainty: “We are not a single-issue movement. Ours is a 360-degree vision that obviously includes our strong libertarian position with regards matters of sexual orientation. We fully agree with the right of individuals to live according to their nature.”
The PN expressed its reservations in its agenda for LGBT issues: “As long as this is in conformity with existing commitments under EU law and as part of our party’s commitment which fights every form of discrimination.”
The PN however answered ‘no’ when asked whether it supported European Parliament resolutions to recognise legal gay partnerships and the right for gay marriages: “We identify marriage as the bond between an adult man and an adult woman. The European Parliament has to limit itself to matters which fall under the EU’s and its institutions’ competence.” Lino Farrugia answered ‘no’ as well.
The MLP said ‘yes’ but called for more discussion with regards to the question of marriage. Arnold Cassola said he would be ready to support resolutions for the recognition of partnerships, but not the right to marry.
Norman Lowell, who said he would support resolutions to fight discrimination against gay marriages, said his movement does not support adoptions of children by gay persons. Whilst the PN answered ‘no’ to the question of gay adoption, Labour said it was uncertain about the issue and called for a more open discussion. Arnold Cassola said that at this stage of social development for the Maltese, it would be premature to bring up such an issue when gays are still being discriminated on far more basic matters.
Lino Farrugia disagreed with gay adoptions, whilst Damian Iwueke and Alpha’s John Zammit agreed: “Malta has to be the same as in other European progressive countries, and nothing less. This comment goes for all other questions in this questionnaire,” Zammit said.
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