Alternattiva Demokratika – the Green Party said in a statement today that it believes that Maltese society has made a significant leap forward when it comes to the social recognition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people.

“Nonetheless, the right laws and policies have not yet followed and Malta continues to lag behind most EU Member States in this regard, as is clearly shown by the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map that was launched yesterday.”

Angele Deguara, AD spokesperson for social policy and civil rights said, “Malta stands at the 18th place in 49 countries with 35%, in Europe when it comes to LGBTI human rights according to ILGA-Europe’s Index. Surely we can and should do better.

“We need to make discrimination a thing of the past. In view of this, AD will continue to provide its contribution to the LGBT Consultative Council to ensure that Malta introduces legislation recognising all relationships equally irrespective of sexual orientation.”

Colette Farrugia Bennett, AD’s other representative on the LGBT Consultative Council added, “Indeed, the introduction of the right set of laws is the paramount short term goal. Laws alone however do not change people’s hearts and minds. Therefore we need to ensure that human rights educational and other soft social measures follow suit. It is therefore important that a national LGBTI equality action plan is drafted by central government in cooperation with the Council.”

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