At a Press Conference prior to the Malta Pride 2022 parade in Valletta, ADPD – The Green Party Deputy Chairperson Sandra Gauci stated that: “On the occasion of Malta Pride 2022 ADPD would like to reiterate its long-standing support towards the LGBTQI+ community.

“We commit ourselves to continue working towards a more inclusive society in which nobody feels the need to conceal his identity. In spite of all the laws, albeit necessary and overdue, that have been enacted and positive changes that have been brought about there is still a need for further changes in mentality – the battle for inclusivity must continue every day and can only be won with more awareness and education.
“What has been legislated must be put into practice with more representation and visibility for the LGBTQI+ community within all sectors of society and in every area of work without prejudice. The freedom to express yourself should not be considered a luxury or to be carried out undercover but something that can be done freely without anyone pointing a figure in judgement.”

“One must commend the recent changes where gay and bisexual men are able to donate blood on the same terms as heterosexual males. This change show that there was still an element of prejudice and it was only now that we have been able to recognize that this was an unfounded discrimination based on prejudice and ignorance.”

“This is another win amongst all the battles that needed to be won by the LGBTQI+ community amongst which a well-equipped GU clinic and medicines such as PREP that are always available – from what we are told these are often out of stock. One must also insist that the recently set up gender clinic for trans and non-binary persons be well equipped and staffed.”

“We reiterate our continuous support towards the LGBTQI+ community because in diversity there is growth and with inclusion there is a more mature country,” concluded Gauci.

ADPD – The Green Party General Secretary Dr Ralph Cassar spoke about the importance of equality in society.

“We must strive every day for equality and inclusivity across all sectors of society. Various studies have shown that inequality creates issues on many levels, from an increase in poverty to an increase in mental health problems. On the other hand, society’s wellbeing increases in more equal societies. When everybody feels welcome and respected at schools and workplaces, in our communities, society enjoys a greater level of education, more community involvement and in activities that strengthen it, increased social mobility, reduced health problems and less incidence of violence than those in unequal societies.”

Dr Cassar reiterated that “equality benefits everyone – beyond the enacted legislation we must continue to work against attitudes and rhetoric that sows hatred, that excludes and rejects individuals. One reaps what one sows. So let’s sow love, inclusion, joy and social cohesion. Equality is imperative for a healthy society – always!”

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Malta Pride 2022: ugwaljanza – dejjem!

Waqt konferenza stampa qabel il-manifestazzjoni tal-Malta Pride 2022 fil-Belt Valletta, id-Deputat Chairperson ta’ ADPD – The Green Party, Sandra Gauci qalet: “Illum fl-okkażżjoni tal-Malta Pride 2022, aħna ta’ ADPD – The Green Party, intennu l-appoġġ li dejjem wrejna lejn il-komunità LGBTQI+.

“Aħna nwegħdu li nkomplu naħdmu favur soċjetà aktar inklussiva fejn ħadd ma jħoss il-bżonn li jaħbi lilu nnifsu u dak li hu verament. Saru ħafna liġijiet u bidliet pożittivi, però irridu nammettu li l-mentalità għadha lura u li l-ġlieda favur l-inklussività hija battalja ta’ kuljum li tintrebaħ biss b’aktar għarfien, u aktar edukazzjoni.”

“Il-liġijiet li hemm fuq il-karta jridu jiġu pprattikati u dan b’aktar rappreżentazzjoni u viżibilità tal-komunità LGBTQI+  f’kull settur tas-soċjetà u f’kull xogħol mingħajr preġudizzju. Il-libertà li tesprimi lilek innifsek m’għandhiex tkun lussu jew xi ħaġa li ssir bil-moħbi jew bil-ħabi imma xi ħaga li ssir fid-dawl tax-xemx mingħajr ma ħadd jiġġudika jew jipponta sebgħu.”

“Jawguraw tajjeb il-bidliet li saru riċentement fejn irġiel gay u bisesswali ikunu jistgħu jagħtu d-demm bl-istess kundizzjonijiet ta’ rġiel eterosesswali. Din il-bidla riċenti turi li għad baqa ċertu preġudizzju u li fis-sena 2022 sibna l-kapaċità li nirrikonoxxu li din kienet diskriminazzjoni bla ebda bażi ibbażata fuq il-preġudizzju u l-injoranza.”

“Din hija rebħa oħra mill-ħafna battalji li għad baqa’ li jintrebħu mill-komunità LGBTQI+ fosthom GU clinic attrezzata u mediċinali bħal PREP  li jkun disponibbli dejjem, għax milli jgħidulna, spiss ikunu out of stock. Tajjeb ukoll li s-servizzi fil-gender clinic għal persuni trans u non-binary u li twaqqfet ftit ilu jkomplu jisaħħu .”

“Nikkonkludi billi nkompli nisħaq l-appoġġ tagħna lejn il-komunità LGBTQI+ u ngħidulkom li aħna dejjem magħkom għaliex fid-diversità pajjiż jikber, bl-inkluzjoni pajjiz jimmatura.”

Dr Ralph Cassar, Segretarju Ġenerali ta’ ADPD – The Green Party tkellem dwar l-importanza tal-ugwaljanza fis-soċjetà.

“Irridu naħdmu ta’ kuljum favur l-ugwaljanza u l-inklussività f’kull settur tas-soċjetà. Studju wara ieħor juru li l-inugwaljanza toħloq problem fuq ħafna livelli, minn żieda fil-faqar sa żieda fl-inċidenza ta’ problemi fis-saħħa mentali. Il-benesseri soċjali minn naħa l-oħra, tiżdied f’soċjetajiet aktar ugwali. Meta kulħadd iħossu milqugħ u rispettat fl-iskejjel u fuq il-postijiet tax-xogħol, fil-komunitajiet tagħna, is-soċjetà tgawdi minn livell ogħla ta’ edukazzjoni, aktar involviment fil-komunità u f’attivitajiet li jsaħħuha, aktar mobilità soċjali, anqas problem ta’ saħħa, u anqas inċidenza ta’ vjolenza minn dik f’soċjetajiet inugwali.”

Dr Cassar sostna li “l-ugwaljanza hija ta’ benefiċċju għal kulħadd, u lill’hinn mil-liġijiet irridu nibqgħu niġġieldu l-attitudnijiet u r-retorika li tiżra’ l-mibgħeda, li teskludi u li tkisser il-ħajjiet tal-individwi. Dak li tiżra’ taħsad. Mela ejjew niżirgħu l-imħabba, l-inklużjoni, il-ferħ u l-koeżjoni soċjali. L-ugwaljanza hija neċessarja għal soċjetà b’saħħitha – dejjem.”