The Civil Unions Act which has now been in force for one year and the recently-approved Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act are helping lead to a society that is more open and without prejudice, Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli said today.
At a press conference in Gozo which was held to mark the first anniversary of the approval of the Civil Unions Act, Dr Dalli noted that this year, 47 same-sex unions have been recognised in Malta. These include 30 civil unions registered in Malta, 2 registered in Gozo, as well as seven civil unions and seven marriages which were registered abroad and subsequently recognised in Malta.
"We want a society where everyone is free and equal, and we believe that there should not be restrictions on people's rights," the minister emphasised.
In collaboration with Transport Malta, the ministry has embarked on a symbolic gesture to mark the first anniversary of the Civil Unions Act: the repainting of a pedestrian crossing in Floriana and another in Victoria in the rainbow colours of the LGBT pride flag.
The initiative also forms part of the UN Human Rights Office's "Free and Equal" initiative in favour of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.
The press conference was also attended by Gozo Minister Anton Refalo, Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana and LGBTIQ consultative council chairman Gabi Calleja, who expressed her satisfaction for the achievements Malta's LGBTIQ community had achieved in recent years, including civil unions.