Jump to content

Same-sex marriage in Malta

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Part of the LGBT rights series
Marriage

Recognized

Civil unions and
registered partnerships
Minimal recognition
See also
Notes
  1. KoN: Performed in the Netherlands proper (including the Caribbean Netherlands), as well as in Aruba and Curaçao. May be registered in Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.
  2. NZ: Neither performed nor recognized in Niue, Tokelau, or the Cook Islands.
  3. UK: Neither performed nor recognized in six British Overseas Territories.
  4. US: Neither performed nor recognized in some tribal nations. Recognized but not performed in several other tribal nations and American Samoa.
  5. Israel: Registered foreign marriages confer all marriage rights. Domestic common-law marriages confer most rights of marriage. Domestic civil marriage recognized by some cities.
  6. EU: The Coman v. Romania ruling of the European Court of Justice obliges the state to provide residency rights for the foreign spouses of EU citizens. Some member states, including Romania, do not follow the ruling.
  7. Cambodia: Recognition of a "declaration of family relationship", which may be useful in matters such as housing, but they are not legally binding.
  8. China: Guardianship agreements, conferring some limited legal benefits, including decisions about medical and personal care.
  9. HK: Inheritance, guardianship rights, and residency rights for foreign spouses of legal residents.
  10. India: Courts have recognised guru–shishya, nata pratha or maitri karar–type contractual relationships, but they are not legally binding.
  11. Japan: Some cities and prefectures issue partnership certificates, but they are not legally binding.
  12. Namibia: Marriages conducted abroad between a Namibian national and a foreign spouse recognized for residency rights.
  13. Romania: Hospital visitation rights through a "legal representative" status.
  14. South Korea: Spousal health insurance benefits
* Not yet in effect
LGBT portal

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Malta since 1 September 2017 following the passage of legislation in the Parliament on 12 July 2017. The bill was signed into law by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on 1 August 2017. On 25 August 2017, the Minister for Equality, Helena Dalli, issued a legal notice to commence the law on 1 September. Malta was the first European microstate, the 21st country in the world and the thirteenth in Europe to allow same-sex couples to marry nationwide. In 2024, Malta was named one of the best marriage destinations for same-sex couples by a British wedding planning website,[1] and polling suggests that a majority of Maltese people support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage.[2]

Malta has allowed civil unions for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples since 2014 following the enactment of the Civil Unions Act. It grants couples in civil unions the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as marriage, including the right of joint adoption. Parliament gave final approval to the law on 14 April 2014 by a vote of 37 in favour and 30 abstentions. It was signed into law, also by Coleiro Preca, on 16 April and published in the Malta Government Gazette the next day. The first civil union was performed on 13 June 2014.

Cohabitation

[edit]

On 3 April 2017, the Maltese Parliament approved the Cohabitation Act 2016 (Maltese: Att tal-2016 dwar il-Koabitazzjoni). The act recognises cohabiting couples who have been living together for at least two years and gives cohabitants more rights pertaining to parental and medical decisions, among others. The act defines cohabitation as between two people, regardless of gender. President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca signed the act into law on 7 April,[3] and it went into effect on July 1, 2017.

Civil unions

[edit]

Civil unions (Maltese: unjoni ċivili, pronounced [ʊnˈjɔː.nɪ tʃɪˈviː.lɪ]) were introduced in Malta in spring 2014. These unions provide all of the rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage. Legislation to establish civil unions was first discussed in the early 2010s, before passing by a vote of 37–0 in the Parliament of Malta on 14 April 2014. All MPs of the ruling Labour Party voted in favour of the bill, while all the Nationalist Party MPs abstained.

Background

[edit]

Before the 2008 elections, the Malta Gay Rights Movement sent a survey to all major political parties asking them for their views on the recognition of same-sex unions. None of the parties supported same-sex marriage; however, all of them supported the recognition of same-sex unions to some extent. The governing Nationalist Party supported extending some rights to cohabitating same-sex couples. The Labour Party supported recognising "same-sex families and partnerships", although it was unknown whether this would be in the form of unregistered cohabitation or registered partnerships. National Action supported civil partnerships that would grant same-sex couples some of the rights of married couples, not including welfare benefits. Democratic Alternative supported civil partnerships providing all of the rights of marriage.[4]

Civil Partnerships Bill 2012

[edit]

On 28 March 2010, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that the Government of Malta was working on a bill to regulate cohabitation, intended to be completed by the end of the year.[5][6][7][8][9] The draft bill (known as the Civil Partnerships and Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2012) was presented by the Minister of Justice, Chris Said, on 28 August 2012, and a public consultation process lasted until 30 September.[10][11] The bill was introduced, but died in December 2012 due to the fall of the government and dissolution of Parliament.[12][13]

Civil Unions Act 2014

[edit]

During the 2013 elections campaign, the Labour Party announced its intention to introduce legislation to allow for civil unions for same-sex couples if elected in government. This was set to materialise by summer 2013, but was postponed until 2014.[14] Helena Dalli, the Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties, argued that legalising same-sex marriage would require a referendum, and that the Maltese Government did not intend to put the issue to a popular vote.[15]

On 30 September 2013, the first day of the new legislative session, the Parliament of Malta held the first reading of a civil union bill,[16] which was published on 14 October 2013. The legislation establishes civil unions for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples with the same rights as those available to married couples,[17] including joint adoption rights.[18] Despite the fact that people in Malta regardless of sexual orientation were already able to adopt as individuals,[19] opponents made adoption rights the focus of their objections to the legislation.[20] In his 2013 Christmas sermon, Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna condemned adoption by same-sex couples and said that Pope Francis had told him to take a public stand against it.[21] On 25 February 2014, the bill passed the committee stage. The third reading was postponed because President George Abela indicated he would not sign it.[22] Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who indicated she would sign it, became president on 4 April.[23] The bill was approved in its third reading on 14 April in a 37 to 0 vote, with all Labour Party members in favor and all members of the opposition Nationalist Party abstaining.[24] It was signed into law by President Coleiro Preca on 16 April and published in the Malta Government Gazette on 17 April, officially becoming the Civil Unions Act 2014 (Maltese: Att tal-2014 dwar l-Unjonijiet Ċivili).[25][26] The first civil union was performed on 13 June 2014.[27][28] On 20 June 2014, the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security published regulations, based on which, the country recognises civil unions and partnerships registered abroad, regarded by the Ministry as having equivalent status to Malta's civil unions.[29]

A Roman Catholic Dominican priest, Father Mark Montebello, acting contrary to church guidelines, blessed the rings of a gay male couple in an engagement ceremony in April 2015.[30][31]

Following President Coleiro Preca's signature of a 2017 law legalising same-sex marriage in Malta, civil unions remain in effect and available for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. Couples in a civil union established before 1 September 2017 could convert their union into a marriage until 1 December 2022.[32] These unions ended upon conversion, and the resulting marriage was deemed to have subsisted from the date when the civil union was formed.[33] After this date, couples seeking to convert their union into a marriage will first need to dissolve their civil union and then go through all the formalities of marriage.

Statistics

[edit]

47 civil unions had taken place in Malta by April 2015.[34] By November 2016, 153 same-sex civil unions had been conducted,[35] and this had increased to 188 by April 2017.[36]

According to reports published during the parliamentary debate on the same-sex marriage bill at the end of June 2017, about 200 same-sex civil unions had been registered by that time.[37] Since the introduction of same-sex marriage in Malta, the number of new civil unions has fallen significantly. In 2018, only 4 unions were registered, with 3 of these being between same-sex couples and 1 between an opposite-sex couple.[38]

Same-sex marriage

[edit]
Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in Europe¹
  Marriage
  Civil union
  Limited domestic recognition (cohabitation)
  Limited foreign recognition (residency rights)
  Unrecognized
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
¹ May include recent laws or court decisions that have not yet entered into effect.

Background

[edit]

In March 2016, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said at an International Women's Day event that he was personally in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in the country and that it was "time for a national debate" on the issue.[39] Opposition Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil responded by stating that though Muscat was attempting to use the issue of same-sex marriage to distract from a government scandal, he could foresee no difficulty in amending Malta's civil union legislation to legalise same-sex marriage.[39] The country's leading gay rights organisation subsequently called for a bill to be put forward opening marriage to all couples irrespective of gender without delay.[40]

On 21 February 2017, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli said she was preparing a bill to legalise same-sex marriage.[41][42] The next day, Dalli stated that it was up to the Cabinet to decide whether the bill would be introduced to Parliament before the next election, provisionally scheduled for 2018.[43][44] However, on 1 May snap elections were called for 3 June 2017, delaying the issue to the next legislative term. Of the major parties, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat stated that his Labour Party would promptly introduce a bill to legalise same-sex marriage if re-elected,[45][46] whilst Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil confirmed that his party's electoral manifesto would include support for same-sex marriage.[47]

Marriage Act 2017

[edit]

After the Labour Party won the election comfortably, Muscat said that the Labour government intended to pass same-sex marriage legislation in the Parliament before the end of summer.[48] On 18 June 2017, the Prime Minister announced that the same-sex marriage legislation would go through both readings on the first day of the parliamentary session, which would start on the week of June 26.[49][50][51] On 23 June 2017, the Nationalist Party confirmed its intention to vote in favour of the bill, and introduce amendments at the committee stage.[52][53][54][55][56]

On 24 June 2017, the first reading of the bill was moved during the State Opening of Parliament.[57][58] However, a number of Nationalist MPs raised concerns about parts of the law, specifically sections which replaced gender-specific references with gender-neutral terminology, and raised the prospect of the party having a free vote on the bill.[59] The bill's second reading started on 26 June.[60][61] Both Democratic Party MPs announced their intention to support the bill the same day.[62][63] The second reading of the bill was completed on 5 July, with every member voting in favour except Nationalist MP Edwin Vassallo,[64][65][66] and the bill passed the committee stage in the Consideration of Bills Committee on 6, 7 and 10 July. The committee rejected all amendments proposed by the Nationalist Party.[67][68][69] On 12 July, the bill passed its third reading by a vote of 66–1, with every MP voting in favour except Vassallo.[70][71][72] It was signed into law by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on 1 August 2017,[73][74] thus officially becoming the Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2017.[a] On 25 August, the Minister for European Affairs and Equality, Helena Dalli, issued a legal notice to commence the law on 1 September 2017.[76][77][78][79]

Cruise ships

[edit]

Florida-based Celebrity Cruises announced on October 11, 2017 that it will perform legal same-sex marriages on its ships while in international waters following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Malta, where most of the Celebrity fleet is registered.[80][81]

Statistics

[edit]

7 same-sex marriages were performed in Malta in 2017, followed by 65 in 2018, 81 in 2019,[82] 39 in 2020, and 51 in 2021. 10 same-sex marriages were performed in Gozo between 2017 and 2021. There were also 12 same-sex divorces in that same time period.[83] By October 2023, 435 same-sex couples had married in Malta.[84]

Public opinion

[edit]

A Eurostat poll conducted in 2006 showed Malta at 18% support for same-sex marriage.[85] However, support among young people appears to be much higher. An October 2009 poll conducted by a student organisation at the University of Malta showed that 49% of university students supported same-sex marriage, while 35% were opposed and 16% were undecided.[86] A poll conducted in October 2011 found that 56.5% of university students supported same-sex marriage.[87]

In June 2012, a poll commissioned by Malta Today found that support for same-sex marriage had increased significantly, with 60% of Maltese people aged 18–35 supporting same-sex marriage. The poll found a generational gap, with only 23% of people older than 55 supporting the change. Overall, the poll found that 41% of the population were in favour of same-sex marriage and that 52% were against it,[88] a big change in comparison to 2006, when only 18% of the population supported it.[85]

A November 2013 survey showed that 69.9% of Maltese people supported the legalisation of civil unions. However, at the same time, only 24.7% supported the right of same-sex couples to adopt.[89]

The 2015 Eurobarometer found that 65% of Maltese respondents thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 29% were opposed.[90] An April 2016 poll from The Malta Independent found that 61% of Maltese people supported same-sex marriage, with 25% opposed, 10% responding "don't care" and 4% unsure.[91] The poll found a large age gap: 91.7% of 18–24-year-olds supported same-sex marriage, whereas only 42.5% of those aged 65 and above were in favour. When divided by political affiliation, 52.5% of Nationalist Party voters and 70.1% of Labour voters supported same-sex marriage. Women were also more likely to support same-sex marriage (62.7%) than men (59.7%).

The 2019 Eurobarometer found that 67% of Maltese people thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 25% were opposed.[92] The 2023 Eurobarometer showed that support had increased to 74%, while 24% were opposed. The survey also found that 78% of Maltese people thought that "there is nothing wrong in a sexual relationship between two persons of the same sex", while 21% disagreed.[2]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Maltese: Att tal-2017 li jemenda l-Att dwar iż-Żwieġ u Liġijiet oħrajn,[75] pronounced [ɐt tɐːl ɛlˈfɛɪ̯n ʊ zbɐˈtɐːʃ lɪ jɛˈmɛndɐ lɐt dwɐːr ɪzˈzwɪːtʃ ʊ lɪdʒɪˈjɪːt ɔħˈrɐɪ̯n]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gabriella, Ferlita. "This list shows the best countries for LGBTQ+ weddings, and the UK doesn't even make the top 10". PinkNews. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Eurobarometer 2023: Discrimination in the European Union". europa.eu. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Cohabitation Bill". Parliament of Malta. November 22, 2016. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "Welcome to maltagayrights.net". www.maltagayrights.net. Archived from the original on 8 August 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  5. ^ Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Government drafting law on cohabitation". Archived from the original on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  6. ^ Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Cohabitation law in the works - PM". Archived from the original on 1 April 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Feedback sought on cohabitation Bill". Archived from the original on 11 July 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  8. ^ "New cohabitation law to be presented in Parliament by end of year". Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  9. ^ Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Cohabitation bill to be moved by end of year - PM". Archived from the original on 14 July 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Update 2 - Cohabitation bill recognises same-sex couples but not families, JPO to propose amendments". Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Cohabitation Bill launched: Gay couples 'are not a family' – Chris Said". Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Parlament Ta' Malta". www.parlament.mt. 22 November 2016. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  13. ^ Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Cohabitation among 15 Bills put on hold". Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  14. ^ Bill on same-sex civil unions by summer Archived 2017-08-08 at the Wayback Machine, Times of Malta
  15. ^ "Civil partnership bill expected after summer". Malta Today. 5 June 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  16. ^ "Parliament meets today - Bill on Civil Unions tops agenda". Times of Malta. 30 September 2013. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  17. ^ "Parlament Ta' Malta". www.parlament.mt. 22 November 2016. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Parliament debates 'gay marriage' Bill". The Malta Independent. 22 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  19. ^ Calleja, Gabi (16 October 2012). "Of gays and adoption". Malta Star. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  20. ^ "Same sex unions approved - Celebrations in Valletta - Opposition abstains because of adoptions". Times of Malta. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  21. ^ Gander, Kashmira (30 December 2013). "Pope Francis 'shocked' by gay adoption says Bishop of Malta". The Independent (UK). Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  22. ^ "PM silent as President refuses to sign Civil Unions Bill". Times of Malta. March 27, 2014. Archived from the original on May 26, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  23. ^ "President-designate would have no problem signing Civil Unions Bill". Times of Malta. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  24. ^ "Same sex unions become legal - Celebrations in Valletta; Opposition abstains because of adoptions". The Times of Malta. 14 April 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  25. ^ Camilleri, Neil (17 April 2014). "President signs 'gay marriage' Bill". Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  26. ^ "Government Notices published in Govt. Gazette No. 19,239 of 17th April 2014". Government of Malta. 17 April 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  27. ^ "First civil union registered on Friday". Malta Independent. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  28. ^ "L-ewwel unjoni ċivili se ssir f'Għawdex" (in Maltese). iNews Malta. 8 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  29. ^ "Se jibdew jiġu rrikonoxxuti unjonijiet ċivili barranin" (in Maltese). iNews Malta. 20 June 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  30. ^ Shine, Robert (April 15, 2015). "Priest Blesses Same-Gender Couple's Engagement in Malta; Archbishop Remains Calm". New Ways Ministry. Archived from the original on May 17, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  31. ^ "Controversial priest blesses rings at gay couple's engagement ceremony - The Malta Independent". www.independent.com.mt. Archived from the original on 2017-11-16. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  32. ^ "Conversion of Civil Union into Marriage". Identity Malta. 5 August 2021. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  33. ^ "Civil marriage is open to same sex couples as from Friday". Malta Independent. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-09-03. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  34. ^ "A year from introduction of civil unions, 47 gay couples tie the knot in Malta and Gozo". The Malta Independent. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  35. ^ Steponkute, Eugenija (15 November 2016). "153 same-sex couples have registered for civil unions in Malta". Gay Times. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  36. ^ "188 same-sex couples entered a civil union since introduction of law". The Malta Independent. 8 November 2017. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  37. ^ 200 gay marriages since civil union legislation Archived 2017-06-26 at the Wayback Machine. Times of Malta. 26 June 2017
  38. ^ "Civil unions fall out of fashion". Times of Malta. 23 January 2019. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  39. ^ a b "'I am in favour of gay marriage, time for debate on the matter' - Joseph Muscat". Times of Malta. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016.
  40. ^ "MGRM tersely welcomes declarations on introduction of gay marriage". The Malta Independent. 5 March 2016. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016.
  41. ^ "Gay marriage to be introduced in Malta soon". Times of Malta. 21 February 2017. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017.
  42. ^ "Government working on introduction of gay marriage". The Malta Independent. 21 February 2017. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017.
  43. ^ "Government still unsure whether to introduce gay marriage in this legislature". The Malta Independent. 22 February 2017. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017.
  44. ^ "Husbands could take wives' surnames under marriage equality Bill". Malta Today. 22 February 2017. Archived from the original on 23 February 2017.
  45. ^ "Muscat: Every Labour proposal is rooted in principles". Malta Today. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017.
  46. ^ Diacono, Tim (16 May 2017). "Muscat wants consultation on recreational marijuana by end of year". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  47. ^ "Nationalist Party to include gay marriage in election manifesto". The Malta Independent. 13 May 2017. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017.
  48. ^ Grech, Helena (4 June 2017). "PM Muscat commits himself to passing gay marriage law before summer". The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  49. ^ Diacono, Tim (18 June 2017). "Parliament to kick off with gay marriage debate". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 18 June 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  50. ^ Grech, Helena (19 June 2017). "PN angered about not receiving copy of gay marriage bill before debate". Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  51. ^ "Marriage equality before parliament's summer recess - Muscat". Times of Malta. 18 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017.
  52. ^ Diacono, Tim (23 June 2017). "PN will vote in favour of gay marriage". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  53. ^ "Nationalist Party to vote in favour of gay marriage bill, to present some amendments". The Malta Independent. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  54. ^ "PD MPs to be invited to PN parliamentary group meetings - PN to vote in favour of law on same-sex marriages at all stages". Times of Malta. 23 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017.
  55. ^ Cocks, Paul (25 June 2017). "Busuttil confirms PN will support Marriage Equality Bill – despite concerns". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017.
  56. ^ Schembri, Gabriel (25 June 2017). "Nationalist Party MPs to vote in favour of gay marriage". The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017.
  57. ^ "Motion No. 9 - Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) Bill - 1st Reading". Parliament of Malta. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  58. ^ "Bill No. 1 - Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) Bill". Parliament of Malta. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  59. ^ Micallef, Keith (25 June 2017). "PN MPs balk at bill on gay marriage, want free vote". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017.
  60. ^ Pace, Yannick (26 June 2017). "Dalli: Equality in marriage bill goes beyond same-sex relationships". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  61. ^ "200 gay marriages since civil union legislation". Times of Malta. 26 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  62. ^ "PD MPs to vote 'unequivocally' in favour of Equal Marriage". The Malta Independent. 26 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  63. ^ Diacono, Tim (26 June 2017). "Marlene Farrugia, Godfrey Farrugia to vote for marriage equality bill". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  64. ^ Diacono, Tim (5 July 2017). "Muscat tests conservative PN MPs by calling vote on gay marriage Bill". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  65. ^ "Second reading of gay marriage law approved by Parliament, final vote on Wednesday". The Malta Independent. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  66. ^ "Gay marriages bill sails through first vote - government to reject opposition amendments". Times of Malta. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  67. ^ "All Opposition amendments to marriage equality Bill turned down". Times of Malta. 6 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  68. ^ "Marriage Equality bill is more sophisticated than Irish equivalent - ministry expert". Times of Malta. 7 July 2017. Archived from the original on 7 July 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  69. ^ Schembri Orland, Kevin (11 July 2017). "Gay marriage bill passes through committee stage, final vote on Wednesday". The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  70. ^ Pace, Yannick (12 July 2017). "Malta legalises same-sex marriage, as parliament votes in favour of marriage equality bill". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  71. ^ Grech, Helena (12 July 2017). "Malta 15th European country to legalise gay marriage, PN MP Edwin Vassallo votes against". The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  72. ^ "Marriage Equality Act approved with Edwin Vassallo voting against". Times of Malta. 12 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  73. ^ "Government Notices published in Govt. Gazette No. 19,840 of 01 August 2017". Gazette of the Government of Malta. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  74. ^ "Act no. XXIII of 2017 – Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2017". Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government of Malta. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  75. ^ "Att tal-2017 li jemenda l-Att dwar iż-Żwieġ u Liġijiet oħrajn". Parliament of Malta. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  76. ^ "MJCL - Legal Noticies". Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government of Malta. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  77. ^ "L.N. 212 of 2017 Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act No. XXIII of 2017), Commencement Notice". Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government of Malta. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 21 March 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  78. ^ Sansone, Kurt (29 August 2017). "Same sex couples can marry as from Friday". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  79. ^ Lavers, Michael K. (1 September 2017). "Malta same-sex marriage law takes effect". Washington Blade. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017.
  80. ^ Herrera, Chabeli (October 11, 2017). "Celebrity Cruises can now perform same-sex weddings in international waters". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  81. ^ Satchell, Arlene (October 11, 2017). "Celebrity Cruises now offering legal same-sex marriages on ships sailing internationally". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  82. ^ "27 same-sex marriages registered so far this year; 78 in 2019". The Malta Independent. 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-11-18. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
  83. ^ Magri, Giulia (12 July 2022). "Same-sex marriage: 'We never imagined that this would happen in our lifetime'". The Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  84. ^ Cordina, John Paul (9 October 2023). "435 same-sex couples have married in Malta". Newsbook.
  85. ^ a b "Eight EU Countries Back Same-Sex Marriage". Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  86. ^ Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Half of University students agree with gay marriage - survey". Archived from the original on 16 October 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  87. ^ Ltd, Allied Newspapers. "Survey shows majority of University students back same-sex marriage". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  88. ^ "Heartening change in attitudes to put gay unions on political agenda". Malta Today. 5 June 2012. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  89. ^ "MaltaToday survey - Majority favour 'civil unions' but not gay adoption". Archived from the original on 24 November 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  90. ^ "Special Eurobarometer 437" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2015-10-07.
  91. ^ "ISurvey: 61% ready to change gay civil union into marriage". The Malta Independent. 20 April 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-04-21. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  92. ^ "Eurobarometer on Discrimination 2019: The social acceptance of LGBTI people in the EU". TNS. European Commission. p. 2. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Same-sex_marriage_in_Malta&oldid=1228082173"