Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/531627
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 24 JUNE 2015 News MARTINA BORG INSTILLING acceptance in the more long-term, and social and cul- tural aspects are the hardest chal- lenge the LGBTI community has to face, according to the US State Department's Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI persons, Randy Berry, who has had a con- sultation with NGOs on the devel- opments within the community in Malta. "The only way to ensure this long- term change is through a stress of the human factor. It's important to put a human face to the issue to hammer it home that this is not a theoretical issue, but a reality that affects our sons, daughters, broth- ers, sisters, relatives and neighbours alike." In an interview with MaltaToday, Berry said that leadership of govern- ments, civil society, cultural sectors and even the media could play a substantial role in encouraging this view of universality. Berry added that Malta presented a unique reality due to its consider- ably smaller population. "The sheer size of the population allows for an intersection between personal knowledge and the hu- man aspect," he said, adding that the situation became more challenging and confusing in bigger popula- tions. He added that he was however confident that the change, however gradual, would indeed take place on a global scale. Asked whether it was more effec- tive to target policies before focusing on changing the social aspect, Berry explained that he believed it was possible to work on multiple tracks rather than focus solely on one ap- proach. "That is in fact the kind of ap- proach that will be visible on an in- ternational scale," he said, outlining international efforts to introduce laws that protect and embrace equal rights of citizens irrespective of their sexuality, and even battle the crimi- nalisation of same sex behaviour in some countries. Discussing religious communities, Berry maintained that he was sure the vast majority did not condone the idea of 'conversion therapies' that held homosexuality as a curable disease. "I believe in freedom of expression and in people's freedom to believe what they desire, no matter how much I disagree and believe the per- spective may be harmful, " he said referring to the controversial claims made by Tom Brown, a US Evange- list and founder of the Word of Life church in Texas, who recently vis- ited Malta and defended the idea of conversion therapy. "Scientific authorities will explain just how harmful this stand can be, and in fact the US government is currently moving towards a ban on the practice of such therapies, par- ticularly on minors." Berry was appointed the US State Department's Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI persons last April and he professed a special interest in the subject because of his concern for young people from the community. "The burden of feeling different at an age where people are facing the uncertainty that teenage years would normally bring with them, is only augmented by the challenges society presents to LGBTIQ per- sons," he said. "I have seen far too many exam- ples of young people losing hope and faith in life due to their perceived difference." He added that as a married, gay fa- ther of two himself, he feels that his current position is a very tangible and unique opportunity to do some- thing meaningful in creating a more accepting future for his children. Berry also said that Malta pre- sented an admirable and exemplary approach in its attitude towards embracing all members of the com- munity. "I was struck by the country's po- litical structure and the progressiv- ism of civil society in its interactions with the leadership of the country." He continued by praising Malta's treatment of themes like family and LGBT as harmonious rather than dissonant themes. "Through my travels so far, Malta is the most exemplary country in this respect," Berry said. Berry also said that Malta had be- come particularly attractive for LG- BT tourism because of its tolerance and embracing of the community. "As a family man, I can say that I will definitely come back to Malta as I feel that it is a country that really does follow through on its values." US envoy says Malta's inclusivity is 'admirable' US Special Envoy Randy Berry