Malta’s Rainbow Flag Flutters Lower as Europe’s LGBTIQ Rights Shift

As the sun set over the Grand Harbour last evening, Malta’s LGBTIQ community and allies might have felt a slight chill, not just from the cooling evening breeze, but from the news that Malta has dropped to second place in the ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Europe Index. The question on everyone’s mind: What does this mean for our island nation, once hailed as a beacon of LGBTIQ rights in Europe?

From Pioneer to Pursuer: Malta’s Rainbow Journey

Malta’s journey to the top of the Rainbow Europe Index in 2016 was nothing short of remarkable. From decriminalising homosexuality in 2004 to introducing same-sex marriage and gender identity laws in 2017, our tiny island nation punched well above its weight, setting a shining example for the rest of Europe. But as the tides of progress shift, so too does our position on the index.

Malta now trails behind Belgium, which has climbed to the top spot, scoring a perfect 100%. While we maintain a respectable score of 90%, this drop serves as a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that the fight for LGBTIQ rights is not a sprint, but a marathon, and we must keep pace with the rest of Europe if we are to maintain our hard-won status.

What’s Changed? A Closer Look at the Scores

The ILGA-Europe’s index evaluates European countries based on their legal and policy frameworks for LGBTIQ people. Malta’s drop is largely due to changes in scoring criteria, which now place a greater emphasis on areas where we have yet to make significant progress. These include:

• Legal recognition of non-binary people and their families
• Prohibition of so-called ‘conversion therapies’
• Inclusive education and comprehensive sexuality education

These areas present new challenges and opportunities for Malta. They are not insurmountable obstacles, but they do require concerted effort from our policymakers, educators, and society at large.

: Malta’s Rainbow Future

Malta’s drop in the Rainbow Europe Index is not a cause for despair, but rather a call to action. It’s an opportunity for us to refocus our efforts, to push the boundaries of what we thought was possible, and to continue building a more inclusive and equal society.

As we look ahead, let’s remember the words of Malta’s first openly gay MP, Alex Muscat: “We’ve come a long way, but there’s still work to be done. We must keep fighting, keep pushing, and keep loving.” Let’s take this news as a reminder that our work is never truly done, and that our commitment to LGBTIQ rights must remain steadfast.

So, as the sun sets over the Grand Harbour tonight, let’s not feel a chill, but a renewed sense of purpose. Let’s roll up our sleeves, pick up the pace, and ensure that Malta remains a beacon of hope and progress for LGBTIQ people across Europe.