Civil liberties minister urges EC to adopt LGBT roadmap

Civil liberties minister Helena Dalli has once again urged the European Commission to work towards the adoption of a LGBTIQ roadmap with clear measures towards enhancing equality and countering discrimination.

 “I call on the Commission to ensure that the comprehensive approach meets the outline laid out in the Lunacek report, and meets and surpasses the EU commitment on LGBTI equality in its external action policy,” she said, referring to MEP Ulrike Lunacek’s report on how the EU should adopt such a roadmap.

She was speaking at the third International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) forum in Montenegro.

Malta recently leapt up to third in the International Lesbian-Gay Association’s ‘Rainbow Europe’ league, namely due to its recent introduction of civil unions and gender identity laws

In a statement, Dalli said a number of countries have asked Malta to share its technical knowledge towards their own gender identity bills.

In her keynote speech in the plenary session of the conference, Dalli reiterated her commitment to continue to advance the agenda for LGBTIQ equality in Malta and beyond.

She reminded member states of the Declaration of Intent to eradicate homophobia and transphobia which was co-authored by Malta and Sweden during last year’s IDAHO forum in Valletta and which 20 member states have now signed.

“The fight for equality also needs to win over hearts and minds,” Dalli said. “Legislation alone is obviously not enough and we must work on our attitudes towards diversity.”