Born this Way

In the past few weeks two cases of discrimination and abuse based on the victim’s sexual orientation have caused a stir in Malta and are encouraging lawmakers to look into laws prohibiting such acts and protecting persons within the LGBT community. In the first case two teenage girls were attacked by two brothers while sitting on a bench in Hamrun, while in the second case which happened in the last few days, two females were asked to not sit together on the bus and later assaulted by an off duty bus driver. More info here and here. 

Local research shows that eight percent of gay people in Malta have been attacked because of their sexuality. Unfortunately under our law, the only protection gay people have refers to discrimination in terms of harassment but this protection is available to everyone, not just gay people.

I find this very worrying, especially since we’re living in 2012, not 1912. This shows how far behind the Maltese community is, especially since our laws provide no protection for homosexuals. I can’t understand how someone can be fuelled with such hate towards someone, simply because they have a different sexual orientation. It’s shameful of such persons to abuse others because of who they love. I can understand a feeling of awkwardness towards a gay person or not accepting homosexual romanticism in public because as a community, we’re not used to such things being so public. Up till a few years ago, not many gay people came clean about their sexual orientations due to beliefs and taboos in the Maltese culture so it will take some time for gay people to be fully accepted by everyone in Malta; however a lack of acceptance is very different from abuse and harassment.

It’s about high time that the people are educated about these things and the laws of our country reflect the reality we live in. Children should be taught from a young age that there is nothing wrong in being gay. This will have a twofold positive effect. On one hand it will affect the community in general with gay people being accepted and such acts of abuse being lessened, and on the other hand it will have a positive effect on teenagers who are discovering their sexuality and realising they are gay. Today many teenagers experience fear, rejection and self-doubt when it comes to accepting themselves as they are. They fear their parent’s reaction; that they won’t be loved or that they will be abandoned by friends, and incidents such as the two mentioned do not help the situation. If children are taught about these things from a young age, they will find it easier to accept themselves and come out to their friends and families.

Also, the laws of our country need to be amended to protect the LGBT community. I’m not saying that same sex marriage should be introduced in Malta as, even though I agree with it, I don’t think we’re ready for it as a community. Divorce was one very big step for us so we need time to adjust before introducing same sex marriage. What I’m talking about is protection from attacks and discrimination. Thankfully these two incidents have influenced legislators to take action and the Ministers in charge of such areas have already started meeting Gay Right Activists and discussing possible amendments to the laws regarding hate crimes.

It’s sad that for action to be taken, four females had to be hurt but hopefully these actions will encourage both the Maltese community in general, as well as the Maltese legislators , to be more aware of such a large section of our community and accept such persons as they are. Gay persons are human and their sexuality should not cause them any harm. Its 2012 and we live in a democratic country... time to stop living in caves people!

Ed.