Speaking during a networking seminar between LGBTIQ, Human Rights organisations and representatives of various religions/beliefs in Malta, Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli announced that the government will soon be launching an action plan on LGBTIQ issues for the next two years.

Minister Dalli explained how the LGBTIQ Consultative Council has been effective in proposing a number of legislative and policy measures successfully, in particular the Civil Unions Act and the Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act.

“We need to continue working in order to eradicate the deeply rooted discrimination in our culture, and even persecution of LGBTIQ people, which on several occasions were backed by certain religious beliefs,” said Dr Dalli.

She explained how it is positive that religious opposition to LGBTIQ equality in Malta has dwindled following the enactment of the Civil Unions Act. On the other hand, Dr Dalli remarked how Malta, like many other countries, is not immune to the so called ‘conversion therapies’. In this regard, she reiterated how the government will soon be launching a proposal on a law for public consultation that will seek to criminalise conversion therapies.

Dr Dalli emphasised how homosexuality is not a disease but merely on sexual orientation. Likewise, trans identities are not a disease and hence, no one can be cured or converted to another identity that does not match his/her inner identity.

This seminar organised by the European Network on Religion and Belief (ENROB) and ILGA-Europe was attended by various stakeholders including Drachma and Drachma Parents Group and the Malta Gay Rights Movement.