This was the conclusion of the key note address delivered by Professor Susan Golombok, Director of the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge, at the seminar co-organised by aditus, the Faculty of Social Wellbeing and MGRM as part of the pride week events. This initiative was aimed at addressing the stigma faced by Rainbow families, which 35 years of research have identified as being the main factor having a negative effect on the wellbeing of such families. 

Professor Golombok also highlighted those factors that protect children against negative effects of stigma.  These were: contact with other children with same-sex parents; attending a school that teaches children about lesbian and gay families and having supportive parents. Through its Rainbow Support Service MGRM has already begun to build a support network of Rainbow Families. Ensuring that teachers take on the responsibility of educating all children about the diversity of family forms in Maltese society, including lesbian and gay headed families so that children don’t always have to explain, is a much bigger task.

The legal recognition of same-sex couples and their families had been a priority for the LGBT movement for the past few years with very little progress registered. The introduction of the Civil Union Act was a major step forward in this regard. The positive effect of this law is already being felt not just by those same-sex couples who are formalising their relationships, but also by the wider LGBT community who feel that their identities and relationships have been affirmed and valued. A sense of inclusion and self-worth has been an almost unintended and unexpected benefit of the law and the celebratory mood is still present.

Addressing the persisting prejudice towards same-sex couples and in particular the right for such couples to establish their own families remains a challenge. Changing hearts and minds requires a concerted effort from politicians, policy makers, educators and LGBTI activists. This is the only way to ensure that children from Rainbow Families continue to be alright.

Gabi Calleja

Coordinator

Malta Gay Rights Movement