A number of children of LGBT families have said that they are choosing to lie about their family structure as a means of avoiding bullying at their respective schools.
The press conference was organised to mark Malta Pride Week and celebrate the first year since the creation of The Rainbow Families Network, a joint initiative by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and the Malta LGBTIQ+ Rights Movement (MGRM).
The Rainbow Families Network was set-up to “provide a safe space where LGBT families could share their experiences in a secure environment away from societies mainstream prejudices”.
To date, the information provided by the Network shows that 36 parents and 30 children of different orientations found support in this Network, and one of the recurring issues that emerged during the regular meeting was bullying, coupled with inadequate school practices that automatically marginalized them.
Speaking at the press conference, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who heads the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (MFWS), said Malta had been a trailblazer in legislative changes in this area but to achieve a truly inclusive society, non-violent dialogue processes were fundamental.
“I believe children raised by LGBTIQ+ people can better thrive if our society effectively upholds a culture of inclusion and justice. We need to engage in dialogue with everyone, including with those who oppose change, and even when their arguments may sound irrational and unreasonable.”
Over the past year, MFWS joined The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), and the Network of European LGBTIQ Families Associations (NELFA), which provided the local organization with an international dimension and additional resources that could be utilized by families in Malta.
Coordinator for Rainbow Support Services, MGRM Colette Farrugia Bennett added that the Network worked in education to ensure that they are capable of listening to parents and children, and also to open up communications with schools.
She also added that meeting with families and introducing them to each other through this organization has helped them.
Equality Minister Edward Zammit Lewis could not attend the press conference but sent comments maintaining that the government is looking to reach 100% of the ILGA goals left for Malta to achieve.
Malta is currently first in their standings having implemented a litany of, for the most part, unopposed changes in spite of a number of such changes finding principled opposition from well-renowned experts worldwide, including the ILGA’s Director of Programmes Julia Ehrt suggestion to give children the freedom to be who they are, particularly insisting that there is no need for medical treatment before puberty.
Not only is this legal in Malta, but it is state-funded and unwilling parents may have their children taken away by the authorities if the parents may be unwilling to put their underage children through this process.
What is left to change is a number of Goods & Services and Asylum issues pertaining to sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex; full access to blood donations; and amendments to the Constitution on issues pertaining to sex characteristics.
Also speaking at the press conference was PN MP and Shadow Minister for Equal Opportunities, VIcil Liberties and Rights Claudette Buttigieg who said that as legislators they may pass many laws but when it comes to the reality of what people face it is another story.
She also alluded to the paradox of tolerance whereby in order to maintain a tolerant society, the society must be intolerant of intolerance.
Facts and Figures from RFN
Information provided by RFN said that they currently have 36 same-sex parents as members, including 8 parents with children that identify as trans.
24 children (aged between 1-11) are of same-sex families, 4 babies (1 new-born), and 5 children aged between 12-17 that identify as trans.
In a meeting with Minister for Education Evarist Bartolo, children attending primary school raised points such as PSCD teachers not including LGBT families when giving examples of families in their lessons; reading books and textbooks not including a representation of LGBT families and them feeling like they are “made” to lie about their family to avoid being bullied, excluded and/or shamed.
Same-sex parents also gave feedback on points such as school administrative forms including options such as Parent 1 and Parent 2; alternatives to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day; pushing schools to invite LGBT parents to speak to teachers and other parents about realities of LGBT families; the implementation of diversity policies and others.
They also added that IDAHO day should be celebrated in schools; that prospective teacher should be made to follow credits on LGBT issues at University; the organization of workshops with Head of Departments so that diversity issues are included in all subjects and in all schools.
Trans individuals and their parents also commented that although they have had a positive experience in school, there was a lack of information which might be leading to bullying, and also suggested making Continuing Professional Development on diversity issues obligatory.
Following a number of meetings with government officials and other groups, it was decided that a pilot project shall be held in a middle school of a chosen college in order to explore ways how to include the LGBT community in various subjects.
Photos: Alenka Falzon