Malta deserves a glance

     The recent history of Malta has three important dates.

290511 Let´s give to the love another chance.

     This was the motto for the movement in favour the divorce in that tiny isle. The slogan defeated the Church one which threatened with the sin to anyone who voted iva. The marriage is for ever!

     If I look back I can see my father putting up with my mother´s flirtations and he —the only one I saw he had the balls it was when threw the doctors out of our house— didn´t do anything. He had no daring of divorcing her. Although, on the other hand, there would not have had money enough for two houses.

     Face the omnipotent Church (98% of inhabitants are catholics) Deborah Schembri and her group didn´t allow the conservative´s ideas. Some of priests admitted to have denied the absolution to the “sinners”. Meanwhile, some Maltese minister —lost soul— much against his will had to describe the Jesus Christ´s and the Blessed Virgin´s grief.

     Malta. Beaches. Bright gondolas. Falcons.

140414 Same-sex civil unions approved.

     Three years after the law of divorce another achievement. It was a fruitful spring because something what was real became official and legal. There was many demonstrations and parties in order to celebrate the successful.

     What about adoption of children?

     At that time, Mrs. Schembri said:

   “So adoptions shall remain available to gay people but now, given that for the first time ever gay people are going to have their relationships recognised by law, such adoptions shall also be possible by legally recognised couples. This is most definitely an improvement.”

     And I´m sure as I´m writing this that my chum, Mike, would not understand a damn!

     Malta. Caravaggio. Madeleine and Mary Collinson.

120717 Edwin Vassallo couldn´t leave his conscience outside the door.

     A bill allowing same-sex marriage passed the Parliament and Mr Vassallo as a good “Vassal” (vassal, servant of the Church) voted no. He was the only one, for what he will be famous through the Maltese history.

     Last year the number of exclusively civil marriages overcomed the number of church weddings for the first time.

     Last year the Bill outlawing gay conversion therapy was approved and Malta was the first country in Europe in doing it.

     So, in short, apart from its beaches, bright gondolas, falcons, the twins Madeleine and Mary Collinson and Caravaggio —although it might balance the business tax because while local business must pay 35% on profits, international corporation profit must pay 5%!— this tiny and cosy country is starting to teach other ones lessons of progress.

     Next year Valletta will be European Capital of Culture.

     Malta, a place that´s worth a glance.

     From my Borstal.

     LDR