Advertisement

Malta's Parliament legalizes same-sex marriage

By Allen Cone
Valletta's Auberge de Castille was lit up in the colors of the rainbow flag and the phrase "We Made History" after the parliament legalized same-sex marriage. Photo courtesy of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat/Twitter
Valletta's Auberge de Castille was lit up in the colors of the rainbow flag and the phrase "We Made History" after the parliament legalized same-sex marriage. Photo courtesy of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat/Twitter

July 13 (UPI) -- Malta's lawmakers overwhelmingly approved legislation to legalize same-sex marriage -- joining 14 other nations in Europe.

The Parliament passed the measure 66-1 on Wednesday in the predominately Catholic country in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. The only dissenter was Nationalist MP Edwin Vassallo, who cited his Christian faith.

Advertisement

The bill next goes to President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca for signature.

The landmark legislation introduces changes to the Criminal Code, the Code of Civil Organization and Procedure, the Civil Code, the Interpretation Act, the Marriage Act, the Civil Unions Act and other subsidiary legislation.

Language used in Malta's civil ceremonies is expected to become gender neutral, dropping the language "husband and wife."

A government-sponsored celebration took place in front of the capital's historic Auberge de Castille, known as the prime minister's office, in Valletta.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat celebrated the results, posting a photo on Twitter from Castille, which was lit up in the colors of the rainbow flag and the phrase "We Made History."

Muscat told reporters the historic vote "shows that our democracy, our society ... has reached an unprecedented level of maturity and a society where we can all say we are equal."

Advertisement

Malta's government wrote on Twitter, "#MarriageEquality is now reality in #Malta. Pledge fulfilled, future sealed."

In 2011, the nation legalized divorce. The country later introduced civil unions and last year became the first European state to ban "gay cure" therapy.

"Now the government must tackle a new project -- ensuring full social acceptance," said Evelyne Paradis, executive director of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association for Europe. "We know that there are some parts of society who opposed this bill, who had doubts. It is up to the government to continue to show leadership, together with the LGBTI movement, and really embed this legal change in society. The talking is finished inside parliament, but the work must continue outside its doors."

Germany voted on June 30 to legalize same-sex marriage without the support of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Worldwide, 25 nations have approved gay marriage with the Netherlands the first to legalize it in 2001.

Latest Headlines