Greens ‘only party’ calling for full equality in social policy

Alternattiva Demokratika said it is the only party calling for full equality in social and family policy, chairperson Michael Briguglio said.

On Tuesday, Justice minister Chris Said launched the consultation process over Malta's first act to regulate cohabiting partners, which is expected to be debated in parliament in October.

Said said the new bill will not be providing an alternative to marriage, but safeguard the right of cohabiting partners. In recognising same-sex partnerships, this is the first act that gives homosexual couples a standard form of recognition in terms of rights and obligations.

This drew negative reactions from some quarters, with the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) expressing disappointment at the newly-launched bill to regulate cohabiting couples, saying the law failed to accede to the gay rights' lobby's demands.

Addressing a press conference this morning, the Green Party chairperson said that recent developments confirm that as regards LGBT rights, AD is "clearly the only party for full equality in all aspects of social and family policy, irrespective of one's sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression."

Briguglio added that while the other two parties proposed "a bad deal or a hotchpotch of vagueness," AD is in synch with the proposals of MGRM for recognition of same-sex marriage. "Only the right of marriage represents equality," Briguglio said.

"Malta is in a situation where the Nationalist Party keeps its confessional approach towards LGBT persons, whilst Labour sits on the fence and fails to propose clear policies on rights such as marriage."

He pointed out that equality can only materialise by having one institution for both different-sex and same-sex couples.

"Recognition of same-sex couples in marriage would lead to the strengthening of the concept of the family. More and more societies and political parties are increasingly recognizing this," Briguglio said.

AD said it is also supporting MGRM's Gender Identity Act proposal, which calls for expedient legal gender recognition and for gender reassignment procedures under the national health care service.

Speaking on IVF, Briguglio said that the Green Party believes that there should be no form of discrimination in access to this right, saying "one should not be discriminated against on the basis of one's sexual orientation."

On adoption, Briguglio said there should be no discrimination on the basis of the sexual orientation and every case should be considered on its own merits. 

"Gender minorities such as transgender persons should be protected against every form of discrimination and the Constitution should be amended to prohibit any form of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression."