Labour to set up LGBT section

What is the point of doing this?

To me it looks like another move by PL to win people favours.

A couple of weeks ago, there was this news where disabled people were given special attention in certain schools.
I completely agree with it.
However, we have huge schools with 500+ students that look like 1 star motels. Yet, we invest on projects for a handfull of students?

Back on this, PL is shouting "gay rights", what about anything else?

Isn't this plain, old discrimination?

If they can't get ALL people into it, they shouldn't discriminate by giving a select few certain rights.
I'm all for progress, but this is not.

@ G Mangion. You answered my question, Thank you.

@ Stephen Vella. Even my gay friends would see the funny side in what I wrote. So tough if you don't like my sense of humour.

@ Whats so rude in a joke about Pink Monday? Get a life mate!

@ Peter Bonnici

Mela peter, Our Beloved Malta is not a free country ? you forgot that We are ? but to answer your Q, Yes I have a right for It, ......... I ask you why do you seem to have a Problem with My Q??? maybe...........

U zgur li none can answer that comment. My argument cannot be more simple. No governement can please everybody and it would be extremely stupid to expect anyone to satisfy all your wishes. A year ago Barack Obama was the greatest hero on earth. Read what is being said today, a year later. Leading a normal life is very ambiguous. I do not want to be offensive to anyone, but we have to admit that not everyone is normal. Personally I think it is extremely stupid to expect the govt to allow same-sex marriage. It simply does not make sense. We you come to cast your vote you have to look at the complete picture, the good and the bad of each party. But if Mr. Camilleri is the same one arguing and discussing the (non) existence of the devil.......no wonder he cannot answer my comment.

So Giov Demartino thinks that something as delicate and important as ones right to a normal life, irrespective of ones sexuality, and the choosing of a party that seems best suited to protect those rights is similar to a voter disgruntled by a parking ticket?

Incredible...no one could answer THAT comment!!!!

Of course you have every right to defect to labour. Even hunters have that right because the hunting season has been shortened. Even drivers have that right because many of them got a ticket from a warden. Even construction workers have that right because of new regulations re safety, nose pollution, dust....Even birdlife members have that right because hunting has not been abolished completely! We all have a right to defect to labour bec GonziPn, LIKE ALL THOSE IN AUTHORITY, cannot please everybody. Like a football referee. Whatever his decision, he s always applauded/ whistled at by half the spectators. If you think that all in all a labour govt would be better than a PN one, good luck to you. And to all of us, after all. But judging from the past, I wouldn't take any chances.

Reading some of the comments here scares me. It scares me how people who have voted in favour of the EU because they deem themselves progressive and forward-thinking prove themselves to be nothing more than political sheep. It scares me that they judge progress by the party not by the action.
It also scares me that people need to point at facts that happened 36 years ago to prove a point.
It scares me that someone can only think of a generic statement like "What better freedoms can gay people enjoy than being European citizens ! I " to prove his point.

I salute and applaud people like Mr. Gauci Cunningham as well as Dr. Fenech Adami for securing our country and giving people the freedom to have more rights. But if these people have to be voted by people like you to act, may God have mercy on us all...

Fair play to PL, well done. Good to see Malta start to move with the times

Giov De Martino ---the reasons why I dont believe in the PN anymore were quite clear in the letters I wrote to the Times, having a look at the last letters I wrote (Labour's manifestation of dicontent" and "Marisa Micallef's conversion is not a one-off") is more than enough....the gay issue is only one of them. On the other hand let us for arguments sake say that I "defected" to labour because of the gay issue only. Would that be something wrong?? Is that something I have no right to do Mr.Demartino??

NOW WE know what made you demote GONZIPN from an angel to a devil.

http://www.queermalta.com/page11.htm - this is part of the blog of a Maltese lawyer who amongst other things documents how two ex Nationalist Prime ministers fought the decriminalization of homosexuality. You will find the names there. His writing about Villa Francia and its recent inauguration by Dr. Gonzi makes interesting reading too.

It was Mintoff in 1973 who decriminalised gay sex. Before that 'carnal knowledge' between two men was liable to a term of imprisonment of 2 years accompanied by hard labour.

D stellini...the Pn fought against decriminalising homosexuality...Where you part of the PN then? Talk about short term memory....

Its ironic how roles have changed....Whilst the Pn has fought for EU membership, and the PL opposed, its eems that nowadays, teh PN is doing everything to oppose necessary changes, whilst the PL is striving for them....

@ karl abela what panic you are talking abt?i think its the pn who should wake up and by the way why all this fuss abt this lgbt section?these are ppl who have all rights to live their lives as they like and who are we to judge them?everyone is human and why not they have their voices heard.by the way remember before stating that pn didnt even get the absolute majority of votes in the last elec so pls stop thinking big

@D. Stellini
Voting for the acquisition of EU rights is one thing (2003), actually having access to them is another (2009, still no real access). I think these people have a mind of their own and know that politicians often say one thing and then do another, but their likely best bet is now with Labour. Deal with it.

@adrian aquilina
Having an LGBT section within Labour doesn't mean that Labour will introduce all that is considered as liberal. I don't think deciding over one's body, (if you mean to imply ABORTION), is something that can coincide with Labour's socialist values. I sure hope Labour do not take a stand in favour of abortion. One cannot equate giving access to civil rights to the LGBT community with policies in favour of legalised murder. That's an ill-conceived assumption my friend!!

@Peter Bonnici
Stop living in the past, it's better that way. Plus, refrain from being rude in your comments. But if you insist, check what Joseph Schembri said. If it's true and it's documented, how can PN apologists not acknowledge that their party wanted to keep homosexuality as something ILLEGAL? And then you speak about equality?? yeah right..

PN is a mainstream party where everyone is welcome. Millionaires, minimum wage-earners, nuns, prostitutes, believers, non-believers, straight, gay, conservatives, liberals. You name them and you will find such people supporting the Party. PN cannot be an elitist party because of the wide base support it enjoys. PN is the best guarantee for individual freedom irrespective of sexual preferences.

In Malta there are some bigots who look down or discriminate against gay individuals. Some of these bigots support PN and some support MLP. I very much doubt that creating a LGBT section in the PL will lessen the prejudices against gays. We live in a free country, where people are allowed to express themselves as they wish – sometimes it boils down to whether the individual has the courage to ignore the bigots and the political parties do not feature in this.

I am not gay and cannot feel the hurt that gay people feel. However, from what I understand from my gay friends is that most would not even consider same-sex marriage if this had to be introduced.

I tottally agree , i m impressed with this step really . well done . are we all citizen or what ? we need more education in this country

So After Dr Joseph Muscat fought tooth and nail against joining the EU , he now sets up an LGBT section in the PL. What better freedoms can gay people enjoy than being European citizens ! I understand most gay people voted PN in 2003 to join the EU, and not Labour's ficticious "partnership" . Hopefully these same people do not have a memory span of a fish

As time passes, ity seems that the small progressive element once shown with the Nationalist party is slowly getting eroded, and its finding its place back to its previous role as an elitist conservative party.

On the other hand, Labour seems fresh and genuinely opening up to a progressive role, reminding us, in th eprocess that it was Labour who actually introduced ground breaking changes and ideas that were vehmently opposed by the PN at the time....things that we take for granted nowadays...

As for homophobic comments....Some scholars argue that homophobia is just repressed homosexuality.....Look it up....

The comments posted by Peter Bonnici show very clearly why we are in dire need for LGBT organizations in this country. Posting cryptic and sad jokes about a "pink Monday" just shows how many in this country still think that being macho and downright chauvinistic gives you the right to feel superior to anybody else who is not.

I can allready imagine the comments by many on the PL initiative: "ajma hej Muscat ser joqghod jaqbez ghall-***** issa wkoll!!"......................shock horror indeed!

I don't care if this is tokenism or not. Fact is that Muscat is the first party leader ever to actually recognize that the LGBT community in Malta deserves to be heard. Nothing the Nats can do and say now can revoke that.

@Joseph Schembri its good to remember that had it been for the nationaslists homosexuality would still be illegal. the pn have always been against anything that gives gay people a little bit more, the pn has always been the party against gay people. maybe its time Gonzi gives an apology for the shameful vote they took in mintoff's time

@-Karl Abela -
"Another panic move to gain more votes.
Opening up a special section directly marginalises such persons from the normal people and therefore underlining the fact that these people are not normal."

I agree perfectly.

I don't usually vote Labour, but this is a great initiative that will give LGBT people more visibility.

It is disingenuous for people to comment that an LGBT section is just a vote grabber (I think it's just as likely to lose votes from conservative Labour voters), or unnecessary because homosexuals and heterosexuals are equal (they're not equal in the eyes of the law, e.g. gay couples cannot get married in Malta; and even when discrimination against gay people is illegal, it still exists); or even a form of segregation (gay people are free to join all sections of the party, and contest any position - they certainly won't be told to stick to the LGBT section).

I very much agree with A. Cassar and Albert Gauci Cunningham's contributions on this.

@ Joseph Schembri. Zapatero is also very Liberal with Spain's finances. Do you read the newspapers?

For all his shortcomings it was Mintoff who in the early 70s who decriminalised homosexuality. This was done against the (documented) wish of the Nationalist party (then in opposition). One can easily look up how the PN parliamentarians voted on the law proposed by Mintoff. Many of the people who voted against are still alive. I wonder if they are sorry for having tried to negate human rights to a large segment of the Maltese population.

My hope is that Joseph Muscat will turn out to be another Luis Zapatero who with his liberal politics has made Spain one of the countries at the forefront of human rights issues.

@ G Mangion. And why would you want feedback from the Curia?

Now after this new section in the mlp, I will want some feedback from the Kurja'

Especially --- L' isqof Ta gozo Mario grech.

To all those criticising Dr.J Muscat's initiative:
If the LGBT Labour Section is not needed than even the LGBT Movement is not needed.

@ adrian aquilina. Can you eleaborate on having women "choose what they do with their bodies"?

well done to labour but dont stop there..keep going until we make this country a more liberal country that is open to all lifestyles including anti descrimination of people with tattoos,piercings,dyed hair,more choice in contraception,divorce,etc......let women choose what they do with their bodies..i hope this is the beginning of the end of the conservative religious fundementalists telling us what to do

Its a pity that this section was not set up in say summer of 1979. We may have had a Gay Pride Parade in Valletta on 15th October that year, and called it Pink Monday instead !!

THANK U MR MUSCAT... i do hope that the PN and the Nationalist goverment will folow u up..its about time we are given our DUE RIGHTS and that people OUT there ACCEPT us how we are..... thank u

@ Gauci Cunnigham

Where was I "trivialising an affair which for many others is so fundamental" in my comment. If you can't read between the lines that is your problem and of whoever put you at the helm of this populist motivated setup. The rest of your comment is arrogant to say the least!

I say well done to joseph muscat!!! I know many people who are gay and believe me there is anything but equality here!! So yes if this LGBT (which is an international word, stupid!!!) will start moving in the direction i hope it will then my vote will wholeheartedly go for labour for the first time ever and the PN can go to hell and back!!!!

I've been looking over some of the comments here and I would just like to throw in a few things.

1) Some people are gay- get over it.

It is a scientific fact that homosexuality is not a choice in any way. If you don't believe this then ask yourself the question - " At what point did I chose to be straight?" . There is too much proof that homosexuality is part of nature and exists in nature, there is also a gene. So like it or not all you conservatives are wrong.

2) Opinions are fine

Nothing against opinions. I haven't given you an opinion at all. i ve just stated facts. If you don t like them- tough. hey are facts, unchangeable. However the Church and most of it's followers don t like it. That s fine. You can believe the sky is purple all you like, it will still be blue, but you are free to have an opinion -expresse it! - as long as it doesn't restrict anyone else's freedom.

3) Government and it s people

The Government has the duty to ensure that everyone of it's citizens has rights and freedoms which are protected.

For those who are saying that we are all equal....We are all the same sure...but even though we all SHOULD be equal we most defintely are NOT! Reality is far from based on equality for LGBT individuals (LGBT being an internationally recognised term and not an attempt of segregation). Equality? Ask the gay couple who cant legalise a relationship which would in the heterosexual spehere be considered as marriage.. no pension rights, no succession rights (these are all automatic for hetero married couples but not gay couples..cos they r equal right??) Ask the transsexual who is given consent by the Court to change status, but then discriminated against at work cos of other employees feeling uncomfortable. Ask the transsexual who is declared as having acquired a new sex but then not allowed to actually live in that newly acquired sex! Ask the transsexual who has to pay thousands of Euro to go abroad to undergo treatments and surgeries which are not offered in Malta due to lack of expertise and government funding. yes...equality should exist..but it surely is lacking in this sphere! Well done PL for taking the initiative of giving LGBT a voice.

As the person heading this LGBT Network I'd like to point out that---

1)--This network is not in direct competition with any other gay movement infact just yesterday ,together with us, there was the MGRM. We will work within the Labour Party where we will present what the people (no not the homophobes and the ultra-conservatives who try to poke fun at the expense of sounding downright "psataz") who are gay and presenting these opinions to the labour party.

2)--This network knows and is fully aware that Joseph Muscat is against child adoption to gay couples so trying to give a contrary idea is a barefaced lie. Still our Network is open to all suggestions and criticisms to the contrary as long as they are constructive.

3)--This Network marks a historic move by the PL under Muscat's leadership which has moved away from meeting gays before the election behind closed doors like others have done in the past and are still doing today to taking a clear and public stand infavour of civil partnerships. If the PN doesn't have the guts to do the same that 's their problem!!!

@Paul Galea
First off, polygamy is illegal, being gay is not.
Second, current laws and regulations are designed for heterosexual couples and families, so there's no need to add the H.

Third... those saying that separating such a group from the main political nucleus of a party is even more discriminatory than not having one need to rethink the whole thing. It's conservative people like you who have pushed LGBT people to the side. For this reason, being the oppressed and the underdogs in today's society, they need to stand out from the crowd to gain the respect and rights. Only once these goals are met would it be possible to dissolve such a group.

Another panic move to gain more votes.

Opening up a special section directly marginalises such persons from the normal people and therefore underlining the fact that these people are not normal.

@ Anthony Vella

Ha nirrispondik bil-Malti la ktibt bil-Malti fil-kumment tieghek. Ghidli din biss - x'hemm hazin li politiku jaghmel xoghlu u jipprova jisma minghand KULHADD? L-ghan tal-politiku hekk hu f'pajjiz pluralista, (jekk ma tafx xi tfisser fittex pluralism, jew inkella ahjar ma tiktibx iktar kummenti siehbi). Triq kemm jista jkun tikkonsulta mal-pubbliku, tara kemm il-maggoranza kif ukoll il-minoranza xi jridu, u taghmel li tista biex tilhaq bilanc. Ghidli issa, x'ghamel hazin Joseph Muscat billi ta spazju ufficjali, gewwa l-LP, lil persuni LGBT?

Barra minn hekk, abbazi ta xiex qieghed tinsinwa li Muscat ha jwarrab lil kulhadd JEKK jigi elett. Jekk ma ndunajtx, fil-gvern hemm GonziPN mhux Muscat. Jekk ghad hawn min hu emarginat, batut u bla xoghol, primarjament minghand il-gvern iridu jiehdu, mhux minghand l-oppozizzjoni. Mhux ha nitfa tort fuq Gonzi/PN li dawn qedin f'dis-sitwazzjoni, imma r-responsabilita biex titjieb is-socjeta qeda primarjament f'idejn il-gvern siehbi. Jekk il-gvern jinjorahom dan-nies, jaghmel sew Muscat u l-Labour jekk jipprova jistabilixxi kuntatt. J'alla mbaghad, jekk jitla fil-gvern jibqaw jigu kkunsidrati. Ghalissa pero, ma tistax tiggudika bil-mod kif ghamilt int. Nistenna risposta, jew ma tafx x'ha tghid issa?

PS: Min jaqbel mieghu, irrispondu! Cert li hawn hafna lesti jwaqqaw dak kollu li johrog mill-PL!

@ Albert Gauci Cunninghham good comment but seems you have forgotten what pn ppl are.they are so religious and always in good terms with the church cos in the past the church support them.all pn should be appointed as angels in the vatican!!!ha jaghmlu minn taht umbghad.

@EGatt-Minding one's own business hasn't got us places has it?? Infact minding ones own business led to many gay people in the PN voting over and again against other gay people in the EP, not on the argument of civil marriage but on a much more fundamental aspect of the gay issue; homophobia. David Casa and Simon Bussuttil minded their own business so much in brussels that they ignored gay people and proved to be a stumbling block against the promotion of equality

@paul galea---When was the last time you spoke to a gay person?? Your argumentation is clearly flawed!! Check your facts and the laws and then read your "comment" again.

@Joe Micallef--trivialising an affair which for many others is so fundamental shows not only a total lack of understanding but also a disgusting insensitivity for which the party you support seems to be so reknowned for recently!!!

To all......I repeat again....every Labour movement in Europe has an LGBT section which makes the PL's initiative a step towards directions taken already by left parties all over civilised Europe!!

Although PN’s principles are close to those of the Church, there are many liberal minded people that do not follow the Church’s teaching to the letter, or are indeed not practising Catholics, but are traditional PN voters.

Liberals feel at home within PN because generally speaking PN supporters value their personal freedom, mind their own business and want others to do likewise.

This is something indeed. I think, however, that such a group should be seperate from political parties. The fact that it is part of one but not the other may cause problems. Is there now going to be one within the Nationalist Party too, fighting for gay rights but against a group of people who will also be fighting for the same rights? That's confusing. Why can t the Labour Party just work with the Gay Rights organization that there is already?

That being said, it is about time that such an issue is taken up by politicians. This is something I personally would like to follow and know more about. Well done to all involved.

More political correct clap trap from the lefties! Always helping minority groups that don't need help. Help with what?! Why don't you help the aged. Put an A at the end of the LGBT and a H for heterosexuals and a P for polagamy and any thing else I left out

It would be better to call it LGBTHAP!

To all those using the word tokenism, do you really know the meaning of the word? Or are you using it simply because Muscat expected people to criticise his approach as such? So much for originality...

As for the crux of the matter, there exists a thing called PLURALISM today, and this differs from segregation. Now I know this is hard for some to understand (people who still think in a one-size fits all, 'we maltese' kind of thinking), nonetheless this is reality. People differ, and with this I don't imply any ranking whatsoever. Children do that, grown-ups don't. Our differences make us unique and give us all good and bad qualities. By integrating together and sharing our views, we grow up and can live in better harmony. This move by labour is not a sign of segregation or disrespect - it's giving a more official platform to a group that need to be heard better, as NO ONE can deny that these people are often ignored. Our needs might be similar, not ALWAYS equal, justifying the use of sections!

And if the votes trickle in as a result, these would be EARNED and DESERVED by the LP.

LGBT? You missed out a H. H for Heterosexuals. What is the labour party planning to do for heterosexuals. Lower taxes for married couples with young children, instead of hiking them up? Its cheaper to cohabit and have children out of wedlock than to get married in this country. Instead of pandering to the needs of minority groups why don't you help the majorities sometimes? Gay people are not invalids. In fact heterosexual people contribute more to society because they can replace our aging population with new younger people and keep the economy alive. They keep our schools and colleges open and keep the taxes coming in for the government so that peoples pensions can be sustained. It is heterosexuals that build the future because they are procreative, but nothing is being done for them. Also what about better rights for working mothers. 3months maternity leave? What a joke!

What about rights for poligamists. Some men are extremely wealthy and would enjoy more than one wife and there are women willing to share a husband? You missed out a P too!

What I find insulting is not Muscat's idea but the way some of you here are presuming to know what it feels like to be gay. I have a person very close to my heart who is gay and who I can vouch for. If anyone here is saying that gay people are equal they must be either dreaming or living on the moon not here in Malta. This person who I love dearly had to leave Malta and is now a member of LGBT UK of Tony Blair's/Gordon brown's labour party. I have always voted Nationalist but reading comments here i start asking myself why I was part of a party which has driven my loved ones away. I think its time to reconsider!! Well done Joseph Muscat, you might not be a viable alternative yet but what's good is good!!!

What an excellent idea!!

Well done to Dr. Joseph Muscat!

This is a truly progressive movement which includes and respects everyone.

Joe, how about

BPBC - Busy Parents Bringing up Children
SAHA - Singles And Happy About it
SPFL - Single Parents For a Living
URFL - Unemployment Relief For a Living
OACC - Obese and Couldn't Care Less
AWA - Annoyed with Advertising
LMSR - Let Me Smoke in Restaurants
LMSB - Let Me Shoot at Birds

If we can tap all these special interest groups and numerous others we are sure to win the election!

While we are introducing the inclusion of children with special needs and with mixed abilities in our schools the Labour Party still believes in segregating people in its organisation.

There is real discrimination and perceived discrimination. This distinction is somewhat blurred by those promoting an issue. A case in point is what constitutes marriage which is solely a man and woman affair with society and religion regulating it since there starts the future of any nation. As a hetero person while I hate seeing discrimination to gays on the other hand I find it disgusting when the fight for rights turns promiscuous. The labour party should also now with the setting of such a group spell out its policies on its vision of the family and marriage and how such fits in.

Part 2:

So all of you PN apologist can you explain to me why after 25 years of PN governance not even a single right to LGBT people was ever proposed....at least? So what's wrong in having a party which have the gutts to finally grab the bull by the horn and address this issue? Then when all sections in this country have equal rights, then we can start talking about removing sections. Moreover, don't ever believe that most of heterosexuals give a hoot about rights for gay people.

@R Spiteri: The opinion of Glenn Beddingfield is not important. in fact he wasn't elected. Remeber that your Gonzi declared many times that he and his party don't agree with gay marriages and adoptions, etc. He declared that he doesn't feel comfortable whaving gays in his party and that he doesn't accept them....he doesn't know yet that he is fully surrounded by gay people...but you do.

@ M Psaila: Your main issue is that you see just blue black. Then you have an issue with Homosexuality either being a closet case or an outright homophobic.

@J Martinelli and all PN apologists: Obviously now you are proclaiming yourself to be progressive and that you don't want discrimination and other crap as usual just for the sake of lambasting an other good move from the PL. I think all those who have a problem with having an LGBT section are all those who are afraid that they are outed as they are closet cases. Yes discrimination still exists in this country. It exists even in families like parent renegading their own son/daughter as s/he is different.

These are all gimmicks by Joseph Muscat to try and attract a tiny tiny minority so that he can have a majority come next election. Even the GWU is following suit I have read somewhere. These are all hypocritical moves by the left to try and distabilize our country. They will give these 'progressive parties' some momentary gains but in the long run the roots of the parties involved will throw up at this stupid initiative. These leftist organisations (MLP and GWU) always followed a path of discrimination either in favour or against. So I dont see any progressive moves by these leftist organisations. These gays and lesbians will always remain at the edge of society.

I can't believe some of the comments in here. Probably a lot of comments are written from PN supporters that it is hard for them to accept great news like this. How can heterosexuals comment and disparages something that we Gays, Les, Bi and Trans really happy about? Thanks PL, in 20 yeas my government made nothing and you from opposition are already showing a nice future.

Wow what a ruckus this LGBT network seems to have caused within the conservative ranks. So lets create that little bit more by stating some udeniable facts

Fact1----Most leftist political parties in Europe have an LGBT section the biggest of which is Rainbow Rose. Apart from this hundreds of people are members of Ilga (International Lesbian and gay Association) whose 300 delegates met here in Malta last week. There are also many erstwhile and hardworking organisations ,such as MGRM, from Holland to Russia to Kyrgistan. I don't think that all these people need lessons from Mr.martinelli and a few conservative homophobes in Malta.

Fact2--- These groups have been pivotal in fighting for gay rights all over the European continent. Without them gay people would have remained blissfully ignored and given the side

fact3---The PN has gay people within its ranks whom it sends to weekly MGRM meetings where the media is not present. yes you heard it right...the PN!! So who's trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hound???

fact4--- Evidently most of you here aren't gay which makes you very unaware of the situation and therefore much less qualified to pontificate!!

@ A. Gauci.

I quote: "LGBT people are just like anyone else". If they are like everyone else why do they need to be put into a corner on their own? If anything, this is segregation.

Good. Instead of lip service from the Government,we will now put words into action.

This is great! Well done Muscat for such an amazing initiative! Hopefully PN and AD will follow suite very soon. And for anyone being the usual caveman, this comes from a straight, politically neutral person, not a gay PL supporter.

Malta needs more people who are outspoken and forward-thinking like Muscat. AD have made a quantum-leap with electing Briguglio. PN: take notes, you have a lot of catching up to do.

Dr Muscat is showing that he is ready to open doors for all the people that are living on this island and from my point of view those that try to be against those who are trying to live a life like all are just simply that are against there own children remember he who shall critisise anyone on this earth will be judged by god so to you all that are against gay people live and let live we all pay taxes here how do you all call yourself christians and then speak like this about your own members of family yes gay people are your brother,sister,father.mother and the rest i allways said that maltese people are asleep like sleeping beauty wake up soon it's 2010

I hope its not just setting about setting up a section. I really wish to see the rights being promoted and civil partnership being granted to homosexual couples. Maybe in the near future, homophobia would be gone.

The not unexpected barrage against anything that comes from Dr Muscat really shows who is 'clutching at straws'.

As for Joe Martinelli's usual convolutions of words, I suggest that he should stand in front of a mirror when he utters lines like "Just like a four year old kid trying to get mother's attention". Repeating what I told you before, keep it up boy; Labour only stands to gain from your contributions. ;-)

Well done Dr.Muscat, you just got my vote. PN - please wake up, we are in 2009.

I am very glad with this move by the Labour Party. As a gay person I don't feel that the PL is discriminating,positively or negatively, regarding gay people.
To all those who stated that these are things of the past. I tell them that discrimination against gay people is not! The maltese mentality is stuck 40 years ago.
This is not something which Dr Muscat is making to gather votes. It can gather his party votes but it can also discourage others. it can work both ways.
I cannot understand certain critism by PN apologists! As usual they made distructive critism, every move made by the PL is negative for them! What a fanatic people.
I will also remind these people that we have certain people in the PN, like Dolores Christina who never mention the word homosexual, she refers to us as "nies hekk!", or Joe Saliba Former gen sec, once confronted by a gay activist with a question, Mr Saliba said: "Jien nesprimi soledarjeta ma nies hekk", as if we need his solidarity!

For those of you who still live in a time warp, LGBT people have their own movements and associations. They have no problem in declaring their orientation. Such arrangements as proposed by Muscat exist in all civilised countries, in most political parties and even in trade unions.

the PL is not segregating anyone. gay people are different because they dont have any rights. Well gone to the PL, now we're moving forward towards a more liberal country. We got in the EU and we're getting the social rights that most of other european people have, and gay rights are one of these. I'm very pleased about this group. well done to everybody. We're on the right side of history and time will proof us right!!

I see it as a positive iniative. All this discourse of segregation does not make sense. For as long as National Youth Council, National Council of Women, MGRM and such organisations exist, then why not have similar associations within a political party?

Gays are normal - granted. But we're not questioning normality here. The issue is that of rights and movements promoting them. An LGBT section within the PL would serve to give more voice to a section in society who is normal but alas is not treated like anyone else.

This move is discriminatory since it sends the message that a separate section for gays and lesbians was explicitly set up because this segment of the population is not supposed to rub shoulders with their heterosexual friends within the same Party!

Why the separate label? If there is no distinction between radicals and moderates within the LP why have one between gays and heterosexuals?

Anything to get attention! Just like a four year old kid trying to get mother's attention!

@M. Mallia
So if what you say is correct, GonziPn should call a snap election to rid himself of Muscat. Hallina tridx!

most leading major parties in europe , and elsewhere have an LGBT section....

Dr Joe Muscat is insulting all of us by distinguishing between Gays and Heterosexuals

@ all conservatives
The real aim of this group is to give the opressed LGBT community in Malta (something which most of you don't seem to be aware of) a direct say in everything that concerns their personal life. We still have a high level of homophobia and unless there are such initiatives like the one labour is taking, things are not going to change.

IT SEEMS THAT MUSCAT SET UP THIS SECTION JUST TO SHOW HOW 'PROGRESSIVE ' HE IS OR TRIES TO BE! IM SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THIS WORD PROGRESSIVE WHICH BY MUSCAT'S MEASURE MEANS NOTHING BUT PRAGMATISM! THIS LGBT SECTION IS TOKENISM AND A THROW BACK TO THE PAST

@E. Gatt In this day and age, even having a "women's section" is archaic - It's patronising, at the very least. As for creating an LGBT section, I'd say that Muscat is desperately clutching at straws.

What should the LGBT group do which the others do not and vice-versa. My point is why is the PL classifying people in the party. The party should be HLGBT, thus including also the Heterosexual. Isn't this class separation. The creation of this section shows that the LGBT's are not accepted in the PL otherwise. They should not be treated any differently from the rest and they should all be accepted and respected by the rest. It's dangerous.

...............you have legal rights to practically nothing, no right to apply for housing, no right to keep your partner in Malta in case of someone coming from a non-EU country, no right for inheritance in case of no will. The government (or better still the PN and its apologists including the nationalist gay ones!!!) treats your relationship based on love (just like any other love) as if its something of an abhorrence, something that should be completely disregarded both socially and legally. Well with Joseph Muscat at the helm of this country these things would probably change for the better of the many gay people populating this country, so yes we're sticking our neck for the only politician/leader on this island who's giving us a helping hand!!! Hopefully ,as some of you seem to be wishing, once the Labour Party is elected we wont need these networks anymore as this society will finally start becoming more equal and accepting towards people whose only sin is that they love a person of the same sex. Until then we'll persist!! Albert gauci Cunningham L.G.B.T Labour (which is the name it has all over Europe dear P Camilleri)

One should not confuse the need to have a women's section, or a pensioner's section, with the need to have a G & L section. In modern society, this should not even be an issue. In fact both parties already have a G & L element. Now whether they're out thats another story, but then again, a dedicated section is not going to out anyone that wants to stay in. JM likes to have a go at Conseravtism every once in a while. It may surprise, or worry him, to know that the majority of Gays and Lesbians interviewed in the UK have pledged to vote conservative in the upcoming election. Simply waving a Liberal flag does not make you one.

The comments some of you are posting are not only downright cheeky but verge on the insulting at their best. Joseph Muscat's initiative ,which I have the honour to be part of , is a strong signal to all gay people who have been ignored over and over again by the Nationalists that the PL as a truly progressive Party means business. You really have to be insulting to come here posting comments about gay people being "equal"!! Who equal again? We?? You wish. We have an NCPE which helps you if you're an immigrant and discriminated against at work but shuts the door right in your face if you're gay. We have a situation where your partner isn't considered family if there is a hospital visit. We have a situation where gay students are bullied and made to pass through hell because our schools are too afraid of confronting this issue with adequate sexual education. And what is the result? hatred and homophobia. We have a situation where you can't aim higher, where your relationship means practically nothing as the state doesn't even consider you to be together...........

Well, as i assumed the PL, will fall to the liberal agenda! BYE BYE then you dont have my vote!

One problem for PN - They cannot follow suit as their historic alliance with church will suffer if they do so.....

@Samwel Bezzina.......for your info both major parties have a section for pensioners, they are called APAN and Ghaqda Veterani Laburisti. Gay people are still suffering discrimination, this is not segregation it is all about being visible at last. It is about having politicians who do not look the other way pretending that homosexuality does not exist.

But anyway I have a sneeking suspicion that all the criticism expressed in reaction to this article is just a truck load of sour grapes from the usual blue boys. Time to start moving guys....your time is running out.

Why did Joe Muscat and his party feel the need to create a section within his party for these people? It is very obvious that Muscat and his party look at these people as different from others. So much so that he is distinguishing them from others within his party. By so doing he and his party are labeling lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgenders as different from the other LP members. It is their actions that are questioned not themselves as beings, as citizens. So why didn't he create a section of experts in the field within his party to discuss and propose initiatives in this regard? What he had done shows very clearly his thirst and hunger for power. This is the real reason, this is the truth.

What a pity that a few months ago the cat seems to have stolen Muscat's tongue....

http://www.alisonbezzina.com/gonzi-and-muscat-face-off/

well at least his facing up now! Well done...we'll see if it's tokenism.

I am very sorry for the Labour party. Should we create a section for men and one for women, one for pensioneers, and one for unemployed, one for Christians, one for Muslims etc etc?? This is a total joke simply to gather more votes. Now I have a more clear idea on whom to vote next time.

@M Psaila, R Spiteri Having an LGBT section does not mean that you are treating people differently or labelling people. People from the LGBT community have their own problems and issues which they would like tackled. Such a group would help voice this community's concern in the LP. Women, for example, are under-represented in politics so women's sections work to try to bridge the gap. Special needs people feel that their voice isn't heard, so they form their own groups. In countries where there are ethnic minorites they have minorities sections. It is the LGBT community which wants its existence to be felt in every sphere of society so hopefuly one day such "sections" and "departments" can cease to exist. But until then......

WELL Done Dr Muscat!!

Well done for this initiative. Everyone should be treated equally. This is a step forward and should be followed by other political parties and organistations including the church.

What is next Ghaqda Kaccaturi w Nassaba....well Joseph you surely know where to look for votes!!!

LGBT should be MAINSTREAM .... not in a bubble on its own ...

Glen Beddingfield stated the following May 16 2004 “As for the question on gay rights, I believe there should not be any form of discrimination for any social group. The only thing I do not agree with, and I made this clear in a questionnaire which was sent to all MEP candidates by the Malta Gay Rights Movement, are gay marriages and adoptions. That is my personal belief.” So is the head of One News reporting Labour's Press Release of this evening? Or will he repeat what he "believes" in?

@M Psaila.. After speaking to some of the delegates who have just arrived back from the meeting with Joseph Muscat ,,They were very impressed with both Joseph Muscat also the members representing the MGRM .After showing them that the news re the LGBT ,They are delighted that Malta is taking a step forward and not as you have written categorizing The Gays , Lesbians ,Bisexuals and the Transgender people here in Malta. It is not a cheap shot to win votes but a step forward .. Proset Joseph Muscat .!!!!!!!

For those of you who still live in a time warp, LGBT people have their own movements and associations. They have no problem in declaring their orientation. Such arrangements as proposed by Muscat exist in all civilised countries, in most political parties and even in trade unions.

This is not politics.

Do we now expect a section for atheists, party girls or prostitutes?

And who told you that other parties would follow?

M Psaila:

While I'm with you on this, one must acknowledge that Malta is still living in the past!

One must not forget either that abroad gay bars, gay reading clubs, gay choirs... still exist and are going strong.

If non-heterosexual people are not different, why create a section just for them thereby splitting them from heterosexual persons?

Well done Joseph Muscat!
One step forward for a better country, in my opinion.

LGBT people are just like anyone else. They have opinions which need to be heard as well.

Sure, some fresh air we are getting from 'Progressive' Labour. Such as Leader Muscat's endorsement of Gift of Life'e call for a complete ban of the morning-after-pill, or his complete lack of pronouncement re Maltese citizens' human right to divorce.

What a great initiative by the Labour Party !

Labour are truly doing away with the taboo on such topics. Well done to Dr Muscat !

It is about time that these people are given every right they deserve and only a progressive party can bring that in action

It seems that in the past -and possibly today - there was prejudce against LGBT persons in the MLP. That must be the reason why such a section has been set up. Other parties in Malta - PN or AD - do not label persons by their sexual orentation. A person is a person whether he/she is male, female, straight or LGBT and deserves respect and understanding.

LGBT HAVE NOTHING DIFFERENT FROM HETEROSEXUALS, IT IS NORMAL TO BE GAY AS MUCH AS IT IS NORMAL TO BE HETEROSEXUAL..

CREATING AN LGBT SECTION IN A PARTY IS A THING OF THE PAST AND TOKENISM ... EVEN HAVING A WOMEN'S SECTION IN A PARTY IS TODAY A THING OF THE PAST( AND UNFORTUNATELY BOTH PARTIES HAVE THEM)

CREATING AN LGBT SECTION IS HIGHLIGHTING THAT THESE PPL HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHICH IS NOT THE CASE, THEY ARE NORMAL JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE

IMAGINE DURING THE PL CONFERENCE THEY WILL SAY 'NOW I ASK THE LGBT REP TO COME ON THE PODIUM!' WHAT AN INSULT!

WHAT LGBT WANT ARE POLICIES WHICH GIVE THEM MORE CIVIL RIGHTS AND THIS IS DONE NOT BY HAVING A SECTION IN A PARTY BUT BY COMING UP WITH CONCRETE POLICIES

WILL LABOUR BE IN FAVOUR OF GAY MARRIAGES?

SORRY TO SPOIL THE FUN OF THE USUAL MUSCAT FOLLOWERS BUT I SEE NOTHING EARTHBREAKING .. IT IS A THROWBACK TO THE PAST ... THE TIME TO DEFINE PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION IS PAST ITS DATE!

UNFORTUNATLEY THIS SEEMS TO BE ANOTHER MUSCAT ATTEMPT TO WIN VOTES ... IF IT IS THEN WHAT A CHEAP SHOT!

I thought this trend of pigeonholing people was a thing of the past. Now he should set up sections for the separated persons , hunters , trappers , sun worshippers ,fireworks and festa enthusiasts ,and single parents.
Is this progressive PL in favour of gay marriage?Is it in favour of gay couples having a right to adopt children?When was this LGBT section approved by the party general conference?

This is a very bad move by Muscat. All he's doing is telling gay people to stay in a corner within his party. I would feel extremely offended.

@E Gatt: To be honest, I really don't think that gay and straight people are treated equally in Malta.

Are we now being tagged like dogs? I think being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender is no different from heterosexual. These people should be given understanding rather than opening a section in a party.....for what reason?..is it perhaps to gain a political mileage? I hope not....!!

Treated equally yes, treated with preference no.

I don’t see the point of having these different sections in the main parties. Both PN and MLP have women’s sections and youth’s sections. I believe straight and gay people should be treated equally, I think they are, and there is no need to have yet another section. After all there are gay individuals (many of them probably not out of the closet) who are already active in MLP and PN.

well done. about time!!

IM NOT A GAY BUT I RESPECT THESE PEOPLE. IM NOT AGAINST THIS INITIATIVE. THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO BE ACCEPTED BY EVERYONE...ESPECIALLY WE THE ROMAN CATHOLICS. AS JESUS SAID."HALLU L-KULLHADD JIGI GHANDI"

What a breath of fresh air. This is the Labour party everyone wants.

A true left progressive party which includes everyone irispective of their status, sex or position.

Keep up the good work Dr. Muscat

Sure, everyone should be treated equally, but we don't really need to give it a name.... or should we start calling other people H (heterosexual).....I'm sure there are L's, G's, B's etc..in every party, and really & truly we don't really care what their sexual tendency is... we're all humans... I agree with the inclusion of all, but not the name "LGBT"!