The Human Rights and Integration Directorate within the Ministry for EU Affairs and Equality issued a statement on Wednesday which reminds that both gay conversion practices and the advertisement of such practices are illegal according to Maltese Law and are punishable with a fine or imprisonment.
The directorate said that homosexuality is in no way a sickness, disorder or anomaly, adding that this is affirmed by associations of professionals in this sector and that Maltese law protects sexual and gender diversity and respect to all. In lieu of this, the directorate said, it is false that one proclaims that sexual attraction and affection of any individual can in some way be changed through any treatment, practice or sustained effort.
Whoever is exploring their sexuality or gender or is passing through difficult times can look for professional help within this sector, the directorate said. The sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual characteristics section within the directorate can be contacted for guidance on 22263210.
Grech was joined on the programme by Gabi Calleja, who heads the Human Rights and Integration Directorate, and who reiterated that such assertions were not supported by scientific research.
Calleja also took aim at the term 'ex-gay', which she said was misleading and only used in the context of 'conversion therapies'. She noted that a sexually inactive heterosexual would not be described as 'ex-heterosexual'. "That person was simply chaste," she said.
"Similarly," she said, "just because a gay person is not sexually active does not mean they are not gay; You remain gay - a gay person who chooses not to have a sexual relationship," she said.
from The Malta Independent https://ift.tt/2H25OX0
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