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NEWS
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 JULY 2023
DEBUNKING THE 'GAY INFECTION' MYTH:
Therapists refute claims of harmful impact
KARL AZZOPARDI
THERAPISTS who specialize in
sexual development and family
issues have rejected the notion
that children's psychological de-
velopment will be impacted by
exposure to pride events.
"I can see no way how children
can be impacted if the parents
are open to such events. It will
instead teach them to be more
tolerant and remove prejudic-
es," family therapist Roberta
Farrugia Debono told Malta-
Today.
Farrugia Debono's views were
also shared by lead clinician
at Sex Clinic Malta Matthew
Bartolo, who said the most im-
portant factor for a child's de-
velopment and wellbeing is the
quality of parenting and the
stability of the family environ-
ment.
Last week, a EuroPride 2023
event looked to bring people
together through dance, but
a photo taken out-of-context
sent social media into a misin-
formation frenzy.
Dancing With Pride was or-
ganised in front of the parlia-
ment building at City Gate in
Valletta, and was open to peo-
ple of all ages.
From break-dancers to line
dancers, English school stu-
dents and passers-by, all par-
"It is unfortunate that there has been this reaction, as it really shows
that our society is still struggling with these issues. The laws have been
changed but society is slower to change…"
- Roberta Farrugia Debono
