Speaking during the opening of a three-day annual IGLYO conference (International Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Youth and Student Organisation) organised by Gender Liberation and We Are, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli announced that a Bill related to the banning of conversion practices on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression will soon be presented to Parliament.

A second Bill relevant to the LGBTIQ community also to be presented in Parliament relates to the recognition of the gender identity of persons who are not Maltese while in a gender segregated facility, as well as full depathologisation of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. This legislation further shows how this government is an agent of change.

Dr Dalli highlighted the progress achieved by this government in the field of LGBTIQ policy. She remarked how the legislation which this government introduced led to the formulation of a schools policy (state schools), a prison policy allowing prisoners to move to the gender appropriate section and also the introduction of gender neutral restrooms across all government ministries and departments.

Dr Dalli said that the work carried out by the LGBTIQ Consultative Council led to a palpable cultural change in our country leading to the wider society to become more liberated and welcoming of LGBTIQ people.

"We have had an eight-year-old trans girl publish a book about her own experience of transition and her happiness resulting from acceptance within the family, school and the wide community" stated Minister Dalli.

Dr Dalli said that whilst Malta has shown strong political support towards LGBTIQ equality, this is not always the case with all governments in different parts of the world, with some attempting to limit or even nullify past gains.

"Do not let that dishearten you; discrimination has no place in modern diverse societies" concluded Minister Dalli.