The news that Malta’s Parliament on Monday passed a bill legalising gay marriages and adoption was not limited to the shores of these islands – but it quickly spread to all four corners of the earth.

International news agencies such as Associated Press and Reuters picked up the news as did many websites dedicated to gays and lesbians. The story has been widely reported in the United States, many European countries and Australia.

Malta, in this sense, is more progressive than other countries which are still to introduce civil unions and gay adoptions.

The more liberal applauded Malta for taking the stand and being among the more pro-active countries to introduce such legislation; the more conservatives continued to protest about the hastiness of the bill, in particular the parts on gay adoptions.