The LGBTIQ consultative council today called on the government to overturn the blanket ban on gay men being able to donate blood.

The council presented Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli with a two year action plan in order to strengthen policy initiatives aimed at combating discrimination.

The council called on the government to enact legislation criminalising “conversion therapies,” as well as requesting an alternative gender marker –‘X’-  to the current ‘M’ or ‘F’ on identity cards and passports.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said huge advances have already been made when it comes to civil liberties, but the government will strive for more progress and see where changes need to be implemented.

A number of laws and issues need to be looked at in this regard, and a review of the IVF law should include a discussion on whether such services should be extended to gay couples, he said. 

The Prime Minister said the government is acting on its principles and is driven by conviction not numbers when it comes to civil liberties.

Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli said the civil unions and gender identity laws are merely a departure point, and it is futile having laws on paper if an ensuing cultural shift does not take place.