As is often said and rightly so, Malta is the jewel of the Mediterranean for travel and vacations. A diamond that has many facets that show a certain complexity and many contradictions… The minimum legal age for marriage is 16 years, and yet it is the last country in the European Union to have allowed divorce, traces of a society that has long been based on a very strict patriarchal model. Moreover, abortion is still prohibited and remains a taboo subject.
Malta is full of beautiful churches, chapels and cathedrals, but in the lively district of Paceville you can find about 20 adult clubs, strip clubs and groups of young girls walking around in so-called “sexy” clothes. Malta is an extremely Catholic country but nevertheless very festive, open and welcoming towards the LGBT community and therefore gay in Malta.
In this article we would like to explain why this dream archipelago attracts more and more gay couples in Malta who are looking to relax and enjoy their stay in a warm atmosphere or even to expatriate. We also tell you how it is for expats, and we even managed to interview one for you! Discover also the testimony of David, homosexual in Malta!
History of the rights of homosexual couples in Malta
Even today, many traces of the British Empire can be found in Malta. As a former colony, it is only natural that the archipelago has laws and a history similar to that of Great Britain. Malta adopted the Penal Code of Great Britain, which criminalized same-sex relationships. It was not until 1973 that homosexual relations became officially legal.
Nice progress for the time! Yet, for many years, there was no official institution to represent them and defend their rights. It was only in 2001 that the first LGBT rights movement(Malta Gay Rights Movement) was created in Malta.
A decade or so later, as the movement grew and other countries changed, we heard for the first time about a bill to legislate cohabitation, which would include rights for same-sex couples.
Four years later, in 2014, the Maltese President enacted this law allowing Civil Union. Civil Union offers same-sex couples absolutely all the same rights as marriage. In the space of one year, a good thirty civil unions have been celebrated on Malta and Gozo.
And as of July 12, 2017, Malta has made same-sex marriage legal ?
Being gay in Malta in the current situation
As noted in the previous paragraph, same-sex couples currently enjoy the same right to marry and the same freedom as all other couples. But, fortunately, their rights and protections don’t end there!
In 2004, Malta adopted a ban on discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace. A little later, in 2012, Parliament amended the Criminal Code to prohibit hate crimes based on a person’s gender identity and sexual orientation. Any person included in the LBGT community can therefore enjoy their vacations or their Maltese life with complete peace of mind, as the protection is maximum.
But compared to other European countries, Malta goes further. It was the first country to ban and condemn therapies prescribed by medical personnel in an attempt to “treat homosexuality and gender identity issues. In some countries such as Italy and the UK these therapies are still legal, and sometimes include extreme methods such as electroshock. Here in Malta, anyone who prescribes or practices this risks jail time and a hefty fine.
Last but not least, same-sex adoption is fully allowed and has been since April 2014. There are no restrictions, the procedures and conditions are the same as for heterosexual couples.
Here in Malta the LGBT community feels well integrated into the local life and culture. What was shocking for Maltese a few decades ago is no longer shocking and on the contrary, young Maltese are very curious and open-minded. We can see a real willingness to mix, diversify and expand the local culture, so in trade it is not uncommon to find items such as this …. That the Tiger brand would not have been allowed to market in Italy for example!
Malta: the first country to allow gender X
Here, we can clearly use the word ” progressive ” to refer to the Maltese government. In April 2015, the Maltese Parliament passed a bill to protect the rights of transgender and intersex people by granting them the right to self-determination of their identity. It is the most progressive law on gender identity in the world, which even officially created a gender X!
In addition, it is very simple: it is enough to make a simple declaration in front of a notary, and to choose its gender between male, female or X, and this without any condition (no surgical operation required) The change of gender is even allowed in a couple without prior divorce.
It is undoubtedly thanks to the addition of this last point that Malta was officially ranked as the best country for the LGBT community, and thus dethroned the UK and Belgium.
This is a classification that has been in place for many years by the ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association). The following 10 factors are taken into account These include: the right to asylum, freedom of assembly and expression, protection from violence and hate speech, the right to education, the right to health, the right to employment, non-discrimination in the workplace, equality and non-discrimination in daily life, participation in public, cultural and political life, and finally, public opinion.
An ideological trigger that just had to be triggered
In just six years, Malta has gone from being the last country to ban divorce to being the “best European country” for sexual minority rights. How can such a change be explained in this archipelago where 95% of the inhabitants declare themselves to be Catholic?
No one can explain it better than an expert Maltese, involved and dedicated to this cause. It is Silvan Agius, Director of the Commission for Human Rights and Integration at the Ministry of Valletta. Here is his explanation:
“When I realized at 13 that I didn’t believe in God, that I was gay, I thought I was the only person on the island who did. It’s a bit the same with divorce. Until 2011, the Maltese, who were in favor of it, thought that there was no majority to legalize it, whereas this majority had existed for a long time. The divorce referendum paved the way for more equality.”
Why does the Church remain silent?
It is however very present and influential in the archipelago, but no longer on this point. It is undoubtedly because of the terrible setback of 2011 that she has stopped raising her voice on this issue, even though it is far from dogma. 2011 was marked for the Maltese by the famous referendum on divorce that we have discussed before. Of course, the Church is against it. But the “YES” wins… with 53%. The institution has not yet recovered and prefers to remain silent on this subject. However, the Church remains very firm on other issues…
Still a few small steps to go
As we said at the beginning of our article, in Malta abortion is still a forbidden and illegal practice. Unlike some countries that have recently legalized it, here consciences have not yet begun to wake up.
In the Maltese doxa, life is sacred: it is forbidden to end it, but it is also delicate to provoke it artificially. In such a context, it is obvious that PMA for lesbian couples is a subject avoided by the media and public opinion. The same applies to surrogate motherhood, which is also prohibited for same-sex couples.
Another right denied to men who have sex with men is the right to give blood. But all in good time, we are sure that everything will come one day ????
Meeting with David Marcon
Malta has undergone an important and beautiful evolution, and today, even if the fight is not over, many people are enjoying these well-deserved advantages and are living their life to the fullest as tourists or gay expats.
We would like to introduce you to David, who will be happy to tell you about his life here in Malta, his feelings, his experiences, the hard times he has had and what made him decide to stay in Malta rather than in another country!
Gay bars in Malta
Here is a list of some bars and clubs where you can find a very friendly gay atmosphere:
- Klozet Club: Located in Paceville, this club offers extravagant and colorful shows !
- Monaliza Lounge: Very nice bar located in the capital of Valletta. Its seaside terrace and delicious food and cocktails make it the perfect place to have a drink before going dancing!
Open from Sunday to Thursday from 6 pm to 1 am and from Friday to Sunday from 5 pm to 3 am. - Michelangelo Lounge: In the heart of Paceville, Dancefloor, Lounge and VIP area, and events.
Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 pm to 4 am.
Don’t hesitate to consult the inevitable GayMalta website which lists all the best places of the moment as well as the LBGT oriented events.
Gay pride : Malta Pride
If you are planning to be in Malta in September, then there is one event you should not miss: The Gay Pride
Of course, it is not as well publicized as those in Paris or London. In fact, you may never have heard of it before. And yet it is vibrant, and done with great pleasure and fun. There will even be a gigantic free outdoor concert for the occasion.
Throughout the week, there are a myriad of other activities, which will be revealed as they happen on maltapride.com and also on the event’s Facebook link.
Although there is still some progress to be made, Malta is well ahead of its European neighbors. Maltese President George Abela was the first head of state to meet members of the association ILGAOn this occasion he made the following statement: “Love is the most important thing there is, it can not be classified according to sexual orientation” And he is right! Continue to love yourself, to love others, to discover the differences and especially to spread love all around you.
