'I am not racist but I don't want Arabs living next door to me.' 'I have nothing against gays but if my son tells me that he is, I would throw myself off Dingli Cliffs.' Sounds familiar? When a Maltese person starts a sentence with "I am not (fill in the blanks) ... " you can rest assured that its remainder is going to demonstrate precisely the opposite. What I have to say below will hopefully stand this cultural trait on its head. I will sound like I wish to deny gays a right but in effect I am doing the opposite. At least I hope.Immediately after the divorce referendum, there were rumblings that this was a turning point, that the time had finally come to push for other 'rights'. Liberals had parted the Red Sea with the divorce rod. Now abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage and the legalisation of drugs should simply be ushered in without further ado.
Gabi Calleja, who heads the Malta Gay Rights Movement, is quoted as saying, “An ideal situation is that same sex marriages would be allowed with legal rights for same sex couples being the same as those for heterosexual couples with the same abilities to adopt and foster children.” She qualified this by stating that there are other options, the non-'ideal' ones, which are all less appealing.
There are two reasons why pushing for gay marriage now, right after the divorce referendum, is not such a bright idea. First, it will provoke a backlash against the gay community itself. There are tens of thousands of men and women out there who are still stunned, frustrated and angered by the divorce referendum result. For them, this was a terrible blow against their beliefs and their identity. For them, this is not the Malta they knew before 28 May.
These men and women cannot give vent to these pent up feelings because there is only one thing that can be done with a popular vote - implement it. Gays pushing for marriage now will be the perfect crack for these feelings to come gushing out in all their ugliness. Homosexuals pushing for marriage will face off heterosexuals who opposed divorce. It will not be a pretty sight.
Secondly, it should not be assumed that those who supported divorce should automatically be obliged to support gay marriage. The issues are different and the arguments are different. Treating them as if they are not is an insult to one's intelligence. And the best recipe to fuel this country's incipient homophobia.
9 comments:
Marriage yes, but I do not agree with adopting or fostering.
I agree with Lou 100%. People may vote against gay marriages at this time more out of anger at what their Malta is becoming rather than really trying to understand that gays too have the right to be happy. I think some time should pass before pushing the Gays rights forward. The divorce referendum is still simmering ....
Quite apart from everything else, I'm a bit iffy about marriage/gays in the first place. Arguing from traditional positions, with which I am not necessarily in agreement, marriage is about procreation as well as other rights, so there may be some sort of point in not agreeing with gay marriage. That said, I'm not at all sure the argument would hold. I agree with Lou's main thrust, though - and better defeat homophobia (and any other discrimination) first and work on this later.
Who says that gays cannot father or mother off spring?
Any contract is valid under the law expect when it’s done contrary to law. I cannot see why two individuals of same sex do likewise in front of a notary and inform all authorities and their respected families, that they contracted to give each other the same privileges’ and duties as a couple.
Are we pointed finger at the health mister of India whilst glorifying ourselves a bastion of freedom and ignoring the rights of others.
Since I voted for divorce who am I to vote against (contract) of person of same sex couple.
Or is it now the examination of the sexual orientation of the guardian of orphans and the underprivileged under examination?
NOTE: MGRM has been pushing for Marriage Equality for the Past Ten years, way before JPO submitted the Divorce Private Members Bill, its about time we are treated equal after all Gay Rights are Human Rights & being Human we deserve equality all we are asking for is for equality nothing more and nothing less
For those who enjoy status quo It is never the "right time" to ask for change...
Although I can understand Lou's reasoning, reality is that we will either have equality or else half-measures to equality. What we are experiencing in Malta, is the same as was experienced elsewhere, especially in Catholic countries, as Spain and Portugal, prior to and during the introduction of legislation on marriage equality.
Reactions by religious fundamentalists and traditionalists will always be in the negative, however, as I already said happened elsewhere, once legislation is introduced, they will all see that the sun would still rise the next day and life will continue in all its totality and normality for all.
@Imbocca - Marriage is not only about procreation. Procreation in fact happens outside of marriage and at times doesn't happen within a marriage. Marriages could be seen as an outward sign of an inward love towards another person. With this outward sign, a contract is also signed, which contract brings rights and obligations to the couple and to the individuals within the couple.
Meanwhile, as well all know, same-sex couples (shock shock, even in Malta) are managing to have their own children, either through natural means with a third party, or else though adoption with the recognition of only parent. This means that we need legislation to also safeguard these children and not having children with less safeguards than others. As Josie Muscat says, once someone decides to have chidlren, no matter what laws prohibit the person from becoming a parent, he/she will always manage to do so.
Last but not least, contrary to what Vicki has said, minority rights should never be introduced via referenda. Unfortunately, I am quite sure that should we have a referendum in Malta to deport all immigrants (especially if these are African or Arab), the vast majority of maltese would vote for deportation. When it comes to minority rights, referenda are incorrect and anomalous.
@Cyrus: Although "...marriage[..] could be seen as an outward sign of an inward love towards another person...", or as a mean which "...brings rights and obligations to the couple and to the individuals within the couple...", it may also be seen as a social and legal construct that renders the binding between two people acceptable to society. Therefore, it may be argued that it would be illogical to legalise gay marriage unless this would be agreed to by the majority. Are you proposing the imposition of the acceptance of gay marriage by society?
I agree with Lou's PR analysis, and would like to add that it is also wise to give the divorce issue some time before proceeding with gay marriage, not only for a huge part of the demography to calm down, but for everyone to understand what impact such changes would have on the Maltese society.
I have nothing against gays or gay marriage, but they must understand that these things do take time...
If it's their right there can be no reason on earth why it should be denied to them. Rights are rights. Too bad for the heterosexual anti-divorce brigade. It's time for them to come out of their time wharp.
And who are "we" who decide that rights are rights? "We" includes gays, you know...
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