Malta’s LGBTIQ Rights: From Top to Second in Europe

St. George’s Bay, once a bustling hub for Malta’s Pride celebrations, now echoes with a different sentiment. The island nation, long hailed as a beacon of LGBTIQ rights in Europe, has slipped to second place in the ILGA Europe’s Rainbow Europe Index. The question on everyone’s mind: what does this mean for Malta’s reputation and its LGBTIQ community?

Malta’s fall from the top spot is a stark reminder of how quickly progress can stall. Just last year, Malta was celebrated worldwide for its progressive stance on LGBTIQ rights, including the introduction of the Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act. But this year’s index, released earlier this month, sees Malta trailing behind Belgium, with a score of 89% compared to Belgium’s 90%.

Local activists are quick to point out that while this drop is concerning, it doesn’t negate the significant strides Malta has made. “We’ve come a long way,” says Alex, a long-time activist who prefers to use only their first name. “But we can’t rest on our laurels. There’s still work to be done.”

The ILGA Europe Index highlights several areas where Malta is falling behind. One notable issue is the lack of legal recognition for non-binary people. While Malta was the first country to outlaw discrimination based on gender identity and expression, it still doesn’t offer legal recognition for non-binary individuals.

Another challenge is the slow progress in tackling hate speech and hate crime. Despite Malta’s strong legal framework, enforcement remains a concern. According to the index, only 34% of LGBTIQ people in Malta believe that hate crime laws are effectively enforced.

the index flags issues around healthcare, particularly access to transition-related services. While Malta offers gender reassignment surgery, the process is lengthy and complex, with many patients facing long waiting times.

Malta’s LGBTIQ community is not deterred by this setback. Instead, they’re using it as a call to action. “We need to keep pushing for change,” says Alex. “We need to ensure that everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, can live their lives freely and safely.”

Organizations like MGRM (Malta’s national LGBTIQ rights organization) are already working on addressing these issues. They’re advocating for legal recognition of non-binary people, improved hate crime reporting mechanisms, and better access to healthcare services.

Malta’s government, too, has pledged to continue its commitment to LGBTIQ rights. Minister for Equality and Human Rights, Owen Bonnici, recently stated, “We will not stop until Malta is a truly inclusive and equal society for everyone.”