Malta’s Rainbow Flag Folds: How We Dropped in Europe’s LGBTIQ Rights Ranking

Imagine walking down St. George’s Square in Valletta, the sun casting a warm glow on the grand buildings, and the usual chatter of locals and tourists filling the air. Now, picture the scene without the vibrant rainbow flag that’s become a symbol of Malta’s progressive stance on LGBTIQ rights. That’s the reality we’re facing after Malta dropped to second place in Europe’s LGBTIQ rights ranking.

From Pioneer to Pursuer: Malta’s Slip in the ILGA-Europe Index

For years, Malta was the gold standard in Europe for LGBTIQ rights. We were the first to legalise same-sex marriage in 2017, and our constitution was amended to prohibit any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. But in the latest ILGA-Europe Rainbow Europe Index, Malta has dropped to second place, behind Belgium. The question on everyone’s mind is: how did this happen?

The index, which ranks 49 European countries based on their LGBTIQ rights laws and policies, saw Malta score 93% this year, down from 95% in 2020. While we’re still at the top of the pack, this slip has raised eyebrows and sparked conversations across the island.

What Caused Malta’s Drop in the Rankings?

Malta’s drop in the rankings can be attributed to a few key areas where our laws and policies have stagnated or even regressed:

• Legal Gender Recognition: Malta’s Gender Identity Act, while progressive in many ways, still requires trans people to undergo sterilisation, a procedure that’s widely considered discriminatory and unnecessary.
• Intersex Rights: Malta has made no progress in protecting the rights of intersex people. The lack of legal recognition and protection for intersex individuals has contributed to our drop in the rankings.
• Hate Crime Legislation: Despite promises to strengthen our hate crime laws, no significant progress has been made. This has led to a perception that Malta is not doing enough to protect LGBTIQ people from hate crimes.

Local Voices: Reactions from Malta’s LGBTIQ Community

Reactions from Malta’s LGBTIQ community have been a mix of concern and determination. “We can’t rest on our laurels,” said Alex Decelis, a long-time activist. “We’ve made incredible progress, but there’s still so much work to do. We need to keep pushing for full equality.”

Others, like Emma Parnis, a trans woman and human rights lawyer, are more critical. “Malta’s drop in the rankings is a wake-up call,” she said. “We’ve been complacent, and it’s time to get back to fighting for our rights.”

Malta’s political parties have also weighed in. The Labour Party, which has been in power since 2013 and oversaw many of Malta’s progressive reforms, acknowledged the drop but stressed their commitment to LGBTIQ rights. The Nationalist Party, meanwhile, called for a renewed effort to protect and promote LGBTIQ rights.

: What’s Next for Malta’s LGBTIQ Rights Movement?

The drop in the rankings is a reminder that progress is not a given, and it’s up to all of us to keep fighting for our rights. Here are a few things we can do:

• Keep the pressure on our politicians to pass comprehensive legislation protecting trans and intersex people.
• Educate ourselves and others about the importance of LGBTIQ rights and the need for continued progress.
• Support local LGBTIQ organisations and initiatives that are working to advance our rights.

Malta’s rainbow flag may have folded a little, but it’s far from faded. We’ve come too far to stop now. Let’s roll up our sleeves, learn from this setback, and keep fighting for a more equal Malta.