Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1506906
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 SEPTEMBER 2023 NEWS safe countries where failed asy- lum seekers can be sent back. "If they are sent back to these coun- tries, they can face years of im- prisonment," she says, and adds that there are cases where asylum seekers are afraid to speak about their sexual orientation in front of an interpreter from their own country. Another issue facing LGBTIQ asylum seekers is their safety in open and closed centres where they can be in danger due to their identity. Moreover, access- ing gender-affirming health care, including hormonal treatment is very difficult, if not impossible in these conditions. The fear of diversity And despite the greater accept- ance of LGBTIQ+ people, some reactions on the social media betray a sense of unease with their increased visibility in public spaces particularly in the pres- ence of children. "Every year after the Pride march, there are hateful com- ments on social media about the 'perversions' that were on display during the march, which is in it- self indicative of culture in which heterosexuality is still the norm and sexual and gender diverse, non-binary individuals are still stigmatised by sections of socie- ty," Deguara says. Only a few weeks ago a photo of a drag queen at a flash mob event attended by both adults and children, posted on the social mediam, led to a misinformation frenzy in which some commen- tators even expressed concern on children being 'infected'. Alex Caruana is appalled that there are people who still believe that chil- dren can be "corrupted": "How can something which is so innate like being trans affect others?" he asks, insisting that it is also important for children to learn about diversity and then to have fun in an atmosphere that cele- brates diversity. Questioning gender roles Caruana says that the notion of challenging the idea of fixed gen- der roles and stereotypes is not just an LGBTIQ or feminist issue but is beneficial for straight males whose emotional development is twisted by social norms expect- ing them to 'man up' by being detached, virile and cold. "Boys do cry. But they don't have enough spaces where they can express their emotions. Being male can be very lonely, because men are not expected to connect emotionally with each other. It is no wonder that 80% of suicides are committed by men. There is a problem of solitude stemming from lack of emotional expres- sion and support networks." Caruana thinks misogyny and homophobia fanned by YouTube sensations like Andrew Tate, are filling an "ideological vacuum" to give straight, cisgender males an illusion of being in control in a world they no longer dominate in the same way they did for mil- lennia. But this is only one side of the story, as many males are em- bracing change. "Many males no longer shun therapy and are ac- tively seeking self-improvement, striving to become better persons by connecting with their emo- tions." Europride – with all its pitfalls of commercialisation and inevi- table pink washing – may well be the sort of occasion where peo- ple of different orientations can have fun in a collective safe space where they can be comfortable and playful with their own gen- der identities. jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt accomplished? Not yet "Challenging fixed gender roles is beneficial for straight males whose emotional development is twisted by social norms expecting them to 'man up' by being detached, virile and cold" Alex Caruana and Angele Deguara