Comments on: Why gay voters are people just like everyone else

By: MARGARET RICHARDS

MARGARET RICHARDS — Sat, 29 May 2010 17:08:26 +0000

Hi, i have to say that Daphne could not be more correct, down to earth, rational and positive. I don’t mind being with gay people. Why should I? I see them as people, as an individual, people with a heart and with a brain, people with whom I can discuss and enjoy an evening out with. When I go out for an evening with friends, I don’t say that i’m going out with straight and gay people, but i’m going out with friends. Regarding women’s rights, I agree with you Daphne that I don’t vote for a woman just because she’s a woman, but because she’s got brains and her capabilities……but I have to say that the woman issue cannot be judged on european basis. I have read a feature on the journal American Foreign Policy where quote:” UNAMA – UN Assistance mission in Afghanistan issued a report stating that – women who dare speak out against the widespread trampling of their rights face almost certain death while their murderers face 100% impunity.” unquote. So regarding women’s rights although in Europe this is not much of an issue, i believe that it is still an issue to be addressed on regional basis.

By: Holland

Holland — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:04:57 +0000

Daphne,

It is ok to be incorrect sometimes; it is only human. Dont worry – we still like you.

By: Daphne Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:24:34 +0000

No, Dumbledore, I’m not incorrect. I just don’t see the world in terms of black and white (gay and straight), that’s all. And you shouldn’t either.

By: Dumbledore

Dumbledore — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:10:11 +0000

Daphne, in summary:
You are incorrect when you say that “Straight couples who aren’t married are in exactly the same position as gay couples.”

By: Dumbledore

Dumbledore — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:08:33 +0000

Daphne, in certain gyms and certain associations/clubs/societies unmarried straight couples can apply as a couple while a same-sex couple cannot. Furthermore, certain Life Assurance companies raise the premium if you say yes to their “are you in a homosexual relationship” question. So yes, same-sex couples are at a disadvantage compared to straight couples. I don’t think I am wrong in pointing these things out. We can also talk about non-married couples who are planning to get married. These couples have certain Housing Authority advantages. But I guess I am not allowed to talk about this because these couples have the intention to get married and I’d be wrong to compare same-sex non-married couples with heterosexual married couples, am I?

By: David Friggieri

David Friggieri — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:47:54 +0000

Patrick is running for AD, not for a single-issue party. AD seems to be the party which takes minority rights, including gay rights, most seriously. Other parties appeal to ‘il-familji Maltin u Ghawdxin’, as an identifiable core voter audience [husband, wife, 2.1 kids]. You also get appeals directed at ‘il-mara tad-dar’.

There is absolutely nothing amiss in AD flagging its minority rights credentials as part of its proposals. In fact it’s a welcome development.

Good luck Patrick!

And another thing, addressed to Kenneth. All this talk about ‘the common good’ trumping all other considerations is a neat trap as most books on liberty detail very well. Many lives have been sacrificed on the altar of the common good. Tolerant societies are built on a more nuanced conception of how we can live together.

By: Daphne Caruana Galizia

Daphne Caruana Galizia — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:57:50 +0000

Dumbledore, you are making the mistake of saying that those advantages apply to ‘straight couples’. They don’t. They apply to married couples. Straight couples who aren’t married are in exactly the same position as gay couples. And like me, you must know a lot of them.

By: Dumbledore

Dumbledore — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:52:03 +0000

issimpson, are you coupled? Don’t you realise how many advantages straight couples have over gay couples. I can’t list them all here but here are a few: tax, VAT refunds, property allowances, marriage, protection against discrimination, inheritance, pensions, sick leave, life insurance policies …. even silly things like gym memberships …

By: Kenneth Zammit Tabona

Kenneth Zammit Tabona — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:20:02 +0000

Hi Daphne
It is I!
Do not make the mistake of putting all gay people in one category as there are so many it may surprise even you. While I feel I should not be treated any differently from my straight brothers or sisters for that matter there are certain issues that need to be addressed by the incoming government and it is not just a cohabitation law that can umbrella a variety of situations but a formal recognition that the need to enact anti-homophobic laws exists. The need to recognise under the law that such a thing as a gay partnership exists and that provision should be made for it regarding inheritance, tax and social benefits as pertains to a straight couple today. This is what Zapatero has achieved in Spain and this is what today’s society requests of the incoming government. You know and I know what happened in Brussels a couple of months ago. I will not go into that however you know and I know that the incoming government must stop hiding under ecclesiastical petticoats and start addressing issues like same sex partnerships and divorce. As you pointed out in your article Malta is VERY tolerant (at least the Malta you and I know Daphne) . In other spheres of society things may be a bit different. Unmarried, second round couples may be the norm for you and I but it certainly is not for other people, Gay men like myself who grace the pages of your magazines with my paintings, my cooking or my writing are NOT the norm! There is a silent and oppressed majority who are still stifling in a closet or trapped in a marriage of convenience. But I digress.
All the parties have in some way or another declared themselves to be in favour of alleviating the situation. The entire lot met the MGRM and discused the various issues. The MGRM has made it crystal clear that it does not support any party. I will forward a copy of the latest newsletter for you to have a look. Patrick Attard is unique in the sense that he has come out publicly as a candidate for whatever party. It is very brave of him and I admire him immensely however that will certainly not sway the way I am going to vote which as you know will be for the greater good.
I have every confidence that the issue will be discussed and happily concluded in some byzantine typical Maltese way that will squirm out of any direct confrontation with Malta Cattolica. If anyone can pull that off it will be Lawrence Gonzi.

By: issimpson

issimpson — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:46:31 +0000

Daphne,

I am a gay (oh that phrase sent me on laughing fits but anyway) … i totally agree with you in this article. besides, i don’t really feel i’m threatened here in malta, law or no law, and i’m as out as could be really. i’m the kind of person who refuses the idea of gay parades, gay bars, gay this gay that. The gay community can’t comprehend that by doing this, they are widening the gap and creating segregation that never existed in the first place. I truely feel for people that let their orientation (not sexuality) define them. one should understand that their orientation is just a very small little part of their whole entire beautiful self.

oh god, i sound like i’m preaching, but this really is heartfelt :)

thanks daphne … i’ll really miss this blog of yours!