Malta Slips to Second in Europe’s LGBTIQ Rights Index

Imagine standing on the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, the sun casting a warm glow on the historic buildings, and the chatter of locals and tourists filling the air. Just a few years ago, this very scene was a symbol of Malta’s rapid progress in LGBTIQ rights. But today, it marks a shift in our island’s position on the European stage.

Malta, once the undisputed leader in LGBTIQ rights in Europe, has slipped to second place in the latest Rainbow Europe Index by ILGA-Europe. The index, released annually, ranks 49 European countries based on their legal and policy practices affecting LGBTIQ people. While we’re still ahead of most of our European neighbours, this drop has sparked conversations and raised questions about our commitment to LGBTIQ rights.

In 2016, Malta made headlines worldwide when it became the first country to ban gay conversion therapy. We were the first to introduce gender identity and expression protections into law. We were the first to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption rights. These were groundbreaking moves that put Malta at the top of the Rainbow Europe Index for three consecutive years.

So, what’s changed? The index’s methodology has evolved, with more weight given to areas like hate crime laws, legal gender recognition, and family rights. While Malta has made significant strides, other countries have caught up or even surpassed us in certain areas. For instance, Belgium and Luxembourg have introduced more comprehensive hate crime laws, pushing them ahead in the rankings.

I sat down with Dr. Ruth Baldacchino, a local LGBTIQ rights activist and researcher, to discuss this shift. “Malta’s drop in the rankings doesn’t mean we’ve regressed,” she said, sipping her coffee at a café in Msida. “It’s a wake-up call. We’ve made incredible progress, but we can’t rest on our laurels. We need to keep pushing for more inclusive laws and policies.”

Dr. Baldacchino highlighted areas where Malta could improve, such as providing better legal protections for intersex people and ensuring that our hate crime laws are fully enforced. She also stressed the importance of continued education and awareness campaigns to foster a culture of acceptance and respect.

Malta’s LGBTIQ community remains resilient and optimistic. “We’ve come so far, and we won’t stop now,” said Alex, a young queer activist I spoke to at the recent Malta Pride march in St. George’s Square. “We’ll keep fighting for our rights, and we’ll keep making Malta a better place for everyone.”

As we navigate this new scene, it’s clear that Malta’s commitment to LGBTIQ rights remains strong. Our government has pledged to continue working towards a more inclusive society, and many local organisations are stepping up their efforts to support the community.

But we must also acknowledge that our work is far from done. We need to ensure that our laws are not just progressive on paper, but also in practice. We need to protect our community from hate crimes and discrimination. We need to keep pushing for more inclusive policies, from education to healthcare.

As I walked through the colourful streets of Valletta, I was reminded of why Malta’s LGBTIQ community is so resilient. We’ve faced challenges before, and we’ve always emerged stronger. This drop in the rankings is a challenge, yes, but it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to reflect, to learn, and to keep moving forward.

So, let’s not dwell on the fact that we’re no longer at the top of the Rainbow Europe Index. Let’s focus on what we can do to make Malta the best it can be for everyone. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about being the best in Europe. It’s about being the best for ourselves and for each other.

As Dr. Baldacchino put it, “We’ve come this far because of our community’s strength and resilience. We’ll keep going, together.”