Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/530451
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 JUNE 2015 News 17 same abuses. He adds that Malta's struggle for gay rights has been "some- what overdue", adding that "members of the LGBTIQ com- munities must shoulder much of the blame for this because of their failure to come out". "Those of them who were wealthy and well-connected en- joyed a lifestyle that was denied to many others." Carmel Chetcuti opined that the LGBTIQ movement in Malta has also been "extremely conserva- tive," in that it always strived to appear 'respectable' to the main- stream of society. He said that this runs in direct opposition to his own experience as an activist in Sydney in the 1970s. "Had that been one of our goals, we would have got nowhere. We took pride in not being respect- able. We wanted more than rights. We wanted a sexual revo- lution. We did not want to mimic 'straights' in any way, shape or form." Drawing another comparison be- tween Malta and Australia, Chetcu- ti explained how Malta's Civil Un- ion Bill could not have been intro- duced in any of Aus- tralia's parliaments. "Australia is a federa- tion and no one parlia- ment has a right to leg- islate with respect to all matters. Fights had to be fought not only at a federal level but also in each of the States and Territories." Chetcuti adds that with hindsight, this was at the Australian ac- tivists' advantage, because they were able to "educate the public" in the meantime. "Malta was dif- ferent. Mintoff might have de- criminalised homo- sexual acts but little was done by way of educating the public. The education of the public is as important, if not more so than changes in the law." Speaking of the work that still needs to be done, Silvan Agius said that, "While it is true that in today's Malta discriminatory statements against LGBTIQ peo- ple are increasingly unaccept- able, the reality is that many LGBTIQ people continue to fear reprisal and are hence not out in their families, workplaces and social circles. That is in itself very telling about the long-term effects of discrimination, as well as current level of hostility against LGBTIQ people." Marcelline Naudi, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty for Social Well- being at the University of Malta, pinpointed the out- come of the divorce ref- erendum as being instru- mental to the social changes that paved the way to these LGBTIQ developments. Stressing that she's speaking in her own personal capacity, Nau- di speculated that the Church was hesitant to actively cam- paign against the LGBTIQ devel- opments because of the damage it sustained during the divorce referendum campaign. Naudi also believes that Catho- lic-oriented LGBTIQ outreach groups like Drachma and Drachma Parents have gone some way to bridging the divide – real or apparent – between LGBTIQ individuals and the Church. "I have always felt that one of the most cruel sit- uations is to be in a posi- tion where you truly believe that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and that it is sinful to practice homosexuality, and to have a son or a daughter whom you love dearly, and whom you want to be happy, and yet who you know is destined for the eter- nal flames of hell," Naudi said, adding that groups like the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) have also played a crucial part in "raising awareness generally around human rights and keep- ing the subject ticking over in the public consciousness". Naudi added that above all, "Maltese society is changing" in a way that puts the focus on hu- man rights and that questions all forms of discrimination. However, Klaus Vella Bardon, a member of the Catholic think- tank The Life Network, re- mained an outspoken critic of these developments. Bardon said that the relative silence from conservative quarters on this issue wasn't down to fear or em- barrassment, but the fact that those who disagreed with these de- velopments, and how they were introduced, were left "stunned by the crass disregard for principles and honesty in the po- litical process". Claiming that "the LGBTIQ lobby is well organised, well placed in positions of power and apparently well financed," Vella Bardon said that the political ex- pediency of both parties – and not any concerns over "prin- ciples and ideology" – is what helped pave the way for these developments, along with what he views as a generally lax moral environment. "Until recently, as a Catholic country, sexuality was thought of only within the context of marriage. However, over the past 50 years, society has under- gone dramatic changes, espe- cially with the increased use of contraception. Fornication and adultery, which had previously been socially frowned upon and strongly discouraged, have now become flagrantly rampant," Vella Bardon said, adding that this contributed to undermine the institution of marriage. He also agreed that the divorce ref- erendum was a key step in all this, and that the victory of the 'Yes' campaign in 2011 served as "the last nail in the coffin". "The LGBTIQ lobby were well aware that this was the first hurdle to be overcome and they lobbied strongly in favour of di- vorce," Vella Bardon said, adding that due to the exponential rise in cohabitation and the reality of homosex- ual relationships, the previous gov- ernment fashioned a law on Cohabi- tation (which never reached parliament), to give some form of legal structure, rights and protection to such situ- ations". However, Vella Bardon con- tends that following the Labour Party's landslide victory at the 2013 general elections, "it is all out to promote the LGBTIQ agenda", saying that while many social groups raised their voices in protest to the subsequent de- velopments, "our liberal media chose to deliberately ignore these submissions, and promoted an anti-family ideology instead". "These issues have been sprung on the Maltese as very few are aware of the virulence and ag- gressiveness of the LGBTIQ that seek rights that are not theirs and this will have long term negative consequences on our society," Vella Bardon added. Also speaking about the future, Silvan Agius said that "on the po- litical front, we are still to see what the different party stances will be with regard to the next steps in LGBTIQ legislation aimed at tak- ing the legal framework from a de jure to a de facto equality. "Only then will be able to say that that the apparent acceptance of these developments is genu- ine". treljic@mediatoday.com.mt C A R E E R O P P O RT U N I T Y e Malta Environment and Planning Authority is committed to ensure that land use and the protection of the environment meet the needs of today's society and future communities. e Authority has vacancies in the post of ASSISTANT ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION OFFICER/S e role requires a person to assist in identifying areas of environmental importance and to liaise with local bodies, organisations, authorities and other interested parties towards the drawing up and implementation of relevant managment programmes. Applicant/s must be in possession of:- - A degree MQF Level 6 in social, natural or applied science or law. - Experience of national and international environmental legislation and policy. - In possession of a clean driving license. e above post/s are for a denite period of three years with a possibility of renewal. e employment in this position is specically for the new Environment and Resources Authority that will be formed by the Act that shall regulate the functions of this Authority. Interim employment in this post until the legislation of the new Act, shall be with MEPA. Interested candidates are advised to submit their application, together with a detailed curriculum vitae by ursday 2 nd July, 2015 to: e Human Resources Manager Malta Environment and Planning Authority Ref: Assistant Environment Protection Ocer / s ETC Permit No. 111/2015 via email on jobsepd@mepa.org.mt For further information visit our website: www.mepa.org.mt/org-current-openings-at-mepa. Joseph Carmel Chetcuti Klaus Vella Bardon on LGBTIQ issues? Marcelline Naudi