LGBTIQ - VisitMalta UK

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LGBTIQ EDITION

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Map of the Maltese Islands Half a centur y of change Malta Pride Week His and hers inter view Party until dawn Top things to do Weddings and honeymoons

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M A LTA : E M P O W E R I N G LOVE, LIFE & DIVERSIT Y The Maltese Islands boast idyllic bays, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exhilarating adventure activities and a jam-packed events calendar. The Mediterranean archipelago also flies the flag for LGBT+ rights, with a warm welcome for individuals and couples of all genders and sexual orientation.

mythic. There are three UNESCO World Heritage sites found on the historic Maltese Islands; the Megalithic Temples, the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum and Malta’s capital city Valletta.

The sparkling Mediterranean Sea offers a tranquil environment for scuba-diving, kayaking and swimming; whilst the topographical island landscape encourages rock-climbing, mountain-biking and horseriding. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, the islands are an adventure enthusiast’s paradise, whenever you visit.

The islands are home to eclectic restaurants in picturesque locations and wine bars selling Maltese wine from local vineyards.

The flavour of Maltese cuisine is the result of a 7,000-year relationship with the many civilisations who have occupied the Maltese Islands. A tantalising melting-pot of cultures including the Sicilians, Romans, Spanish and French have influenced the unique blend of Maltese cooking.

History buffs can discover over 7,000 years of history. The archipelago’s scenery and architecture provide a spectacular backdrop to explore megaliths, medieval dungeons and ancient cities; the destination is positively

A trip to Malta offers the LGBT+ community the freedom to relax whilst feeling accepted and safe. Just a three-hour flight away from the UK, there’s every reason to visit the Maltese Islands.

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H A L F A C E N T U RY O F C H A N G E Over the years, Malta has experienced a definite and positive shift towards greater cultural acceptance of LGBT+ in all aspects of life. This, together with changes in legislation introduced by the government, saw the Maltese Islands rank at first place on the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Europe Index in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

SAME-SEX SEXUAL ACTIVITY LEGALISED Being homosexual is decriminalised, allowing Maltese citizens to have a relationship or sexual contact with a person of the same sex without being accused of criminal actions.

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2002 LGB PERMITTED TO SERVE OPENLY IN THE MILITARY Lesbian and Gay people are allowed to serve in the military openly without being discriminated against for their orientation.

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GENDER IDENTITY Malta became the first European state to enable applicants to change their gender identity by completing a affidavit with a notary.

ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAW IN EMPLOYMENT This law made it a priority to protect all employees and to ensure that equal rights are given regardless of the orientation, age, sex and religious belief.

2004 FIRST PRIDE MARCH The first Pride march highlighted that LGBT+ people were present on the island and more equal rights were needed to make Malta a gay friendly country.

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CIVIL UNION ACT AND JOINT ADOPTION This law enables same sex couples to have equal rights as married couples.

ANTIThis also means that DISCRIMINATION LAW IN ALL AREAS people of the same-sex are given the right to The 2004 antidiscrimination law adopt a child and build a family together. is amended to cover everyone from being discriminated against anywhere in Malta.

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2015 INTERSEX PROTECTION Malta became the first country in the world to outlaw sterilisation and invasive surgery on intersex people.

BAN OF GAY CONVERSION THERAPY Malta is the first European country to ban gay conversion therapy.

Anyone that tries to cure, change, repress or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation will be fined or jailed.

2016 FIRST CHILD ADOPTED BY A GAY COUPLE Kris Grima and Steve Vella welcomed Ben into their lives.

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RANKED FIRST ON THE RAINBOW INDEX The ILGA-Europe Rainbow Index, reflecting the human rights of SAME-SEX LGBT+ people in Europe, MARRIAGE Same-sex marriage is voted Malta the most gay legalised. This law also friendly destination in means that people are not 2016, 2017 & 2018. obliged to announce their gender i.e. husband and wife becomes spouse and mother and father becomes parents.

2017 GENDER NEUTRAL IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS Malta introduced the neutral ‘X’ gender marker for official documents.

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GAY BLOOD DONATIONS Previously, gay people that were sexually active were not allowed to donate blood due to the AMENDMENT TO THE IVF LAW higher risk of STIs within The amendment to the the gay community. With pre-existing law enabled new technology being same-sex couples to use introduced in Malta, more detailed tests will be IVF services. taken from everyone that donates blood.

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M A LTA P R I D E W E E K

Malta Pride Week takes place each summer and is widely celebrated, with the participation of thousands of marchers, eye-catching floats and incredible street performers. Malta Pride Week sends out a message of empowerment to the community and celebrates love, life and diversity.

Over the following ten years, Malta Pride Week has grown, with thousands of attendees from around the globe showing their support and dedication to the rights of the LGBT+ community.

The Malta Gay Rights Movement held its first Pride march in 2004, calling on local authorities to ensure that the LGBT+ community would not be mistreated because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The small group of less than 100 individuals, including activists, Education Minister Louis Galea and Labour MPs Evarist Bartolo and Marie Louise Coleiro, walked under a rainbow of balloons through Republic Street in Malta’s capital city, Valletta.

The parade, complete with floats ridden by drag queens and open-top buses decorated with rainbow flags and balloons, is greeted with waves from passers by and local shop owners. The colourful march is followed by a Pride Concert and numerous after parties scattered across the island each year.

Just a three-hour flight from the UK, Malta Pride Week brings together incredible individuals to celebrate all that is the rainbow community. Visit www.maltapride.com for more information.

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HIS AND HERS Experience Malta Pride Week through the eyes of the community, an interview with LGBT+ writers Roxy Bourdillon and Jarlath Gregory.

WHO WAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON YOU MET ON THE ISLAND AND WHY? Definitely Gabi Calleja. It was fascinating to talk to Gabi, who has been, and still is, a key figure in the LGBT+ rights movement in Malta.

DID ANYTHING SUPRISE YOU ABOUT THE MEDITERANNEAN ARCHIPELAGO? I was very surprised by how LGBT+-friendly it was, especially as it’s such a religious place.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES MALTA SUCH A GAY-FRIENDLY DESTINATION? Malta seems to be actively reaching out to gay and bi travellers, which I really appreciate. I’m very impressed that it came top in the Rainbow Index in 2016, 2017 and 2018! The gay scene seemed varied and suitable for women of different ages and tastes, plus the Pride festival was fantastic!

HOW DID MALTA PRIDE COMPARE TO OTHERS YOU’VE ATTENDED? It felt very special to be at a Pride in such a picturesque and historical setting. It also had a real community feel - I loved the way you could easily join in and march with the parade, instead of having to just watch from the sidelines.

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR TRIP? Meeting local lesbians and bi women, hearing about how much things have changed for the better in recent years and seeing the beautiful queer community they have created together.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OTHER LESBIANS PLANNING A TRIP TO MALTA? It’s a really romantic destination and a wonderful place for a couple’s getaway. I’d love to go back with my girlfriend! While you’re there, make sure you check out the gay scene, but also make the most of the sightseeing stuff too. The Upper Barrakka Gardens took my breath away with their stunning views of the Grand Harbour. Not to be missed.

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R O X Y B O U R D I L L O N , D I VA M A G A Z I N E

HOW WOULD YOU BEST DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE IN MALTA? Glorious! It was sensational weather, I was blown away by the gorgeous scenery, and Pride was epic.

HOW WOULD YOU BEST DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE IN MALTA? Fun, friendly and warm.

WHO WAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON YOU MET ON THE ISLAND AND WHY? Gabi Calleja, for her tireless work for the LGBT+ community.

J A R L AT H G R E G O R Y, AU T H O R

DID ANYTHING SUPRISE YOU ABOUT THE MEDITERRANEAN ARCHIPELAGO? It reminded me very much of Ireland, but with nicer weather.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES MALTA SUCH A GAY-FRIENDLY DESTINATION? The recent progress for LGBT+ rights.

HOW DID MALTA PRIDE COMPARE TO OTHERS YOU’VE ATTENDED? It felt very grass-roots, local and authentic.

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR TRIP? The SU29 Boutique Hotel was perfect for relaxing in style, and the Caravaggio’s in St John’s Co Cathedral for a cultural highlight.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OTHER GAY MEN PLANNING A TRIP TO MALTA? Have a day free for sightseeing, and a night free for clubbing.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD? Talk to the locals, they’re friendly!

PA R T Y U N T I L DAW N

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Malta has become a popular destination for the clubbing and festival scene; allowing travellers to party all night and spend the following day relaxing on picturesque beaches in the warm Maltese sun. As lounging on the beach isn’t for everyone, an abundance of adventure activities are also on offer including scuba-diving, snorkelling, mountain biking and rock-climbing.

Boasting a vast array of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and wine bars throughout the island; Malta is the perfect destination for young adults.

Holiday-goers can party until dawn in Paceville – located in St.Julians – where the club and bar scene is thriving, and enjoy an abundance of bars, restaurants and wine bars in Birgu, Mdina, Valletta and Sliema.

The nightclubs and bars found on the Mediterranean archipelago welcome the LGBT+ and there are a handful of places and evenings specifically targeting the community.

Michelangelo Club Lounge, located in the heart of Malta’s nightlife in Paceville, regularly hosts themed events that will keep party-goers dancing until the early hours of the morning. Rubies Bar is found in San Gwann and is known for its fun vibe boasting karaoke, a pool table and chart music for the lesbian community. The LGBT+ community can also enjoy a cabaret show at the gay-friendly Birdcage Lounge.

Visit www. travelgay.com/malta-gay-bars-clubs for more information on Malta’s nightlife.

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O N T H E M A LT E S E I S L A N D S

TOP THINGS TO D O

1 // VALLETTA Valletta’s beautiful baroque architecture and rich heritage earned Malta’s capital city the accolade of being the European Capital of Culture in 2018.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to elegant streets, stunning historical monuments and an increasing number of luxury boutique hotels.

4 // PACEVILLE Paceville is the entertainment hub of Malta and is dotted with bars, clubs, casinos and cinemas. If you want to experience Malta’s nightlife, be sure to take a trip to Paceville and wander through the area to find the perfect bar or club that will keep you dancing into the early hours of the morning.

7 // QUAD BIKING Explore the countryside of the Maltese Islands by quad bike and discover stunning bays hugging sparkling crystal-clear waters and topographical cliffs rising from the gentle sea.

Beautiful sandy beaches open up the landscape to untouched countryside dotted with churches and farmsteads.

2 // BLUE LAGOON The Blue Lagoon is one of the most picturesque locations on the Maltese archipelago. The small cove between the western end of the island and the uninhabited islet of Cominotto, boasts turquoise shallow waters perfect for swimming, snorkelling and exploring by boat.

5 // SCUBA-DIVING The Mediterranean Sea boasting warm water and excellent visibility all year round - calls to divers. The islands consistently rank as one of the top three in the ‘Destination of the Year’ category at the Diver Magazine Awards because they offer an abundance of reefs, caves and wrecks to explore.

8 // MDINA Visit Mdina, one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city, unusual in its mix of medieval and Baroque architecture. Lamp lit by night, Mdina transforms itself into the ‘Silent City’, the origins of Mdina, Malta’s medieval capital, can be traced back to more than 4,000 years.

3 // RAMLA BAY Ramla Bay, known in Maltese as Ramla il-Hamra (Red Sands), is the biggest sandy beach on the Maltese Island of Gozo. If you’re looking for a picturesque sandy beach to relax on that’s surrounded by beautiful Mediterranean blue waters, then look no further than the stunning Ramla Bay.

6 // VICTORIA Visit Gozo’s capital city, Victoria, to discover the small fortified city and Citadel.The area, in the heart of Malta’s sister island, was known as Gran Castello in the medieval era and has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Explore the winding streets and find the historic Chapel of St. Joseph.

9 // DINGLI CLIFFS Explore the Dingli cliffs, located beside the village of Dingli, on Malta’s Western coast. They are the highest point of the Maltese Islands and stand at around 253 metres above sea-level. Dingli Cliffs are also an impressive sight when viewed from sea level on an island cruise. Visit at sunset for a romantic evening.

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C E L E B R AT E Y O U R L O V E

The Maltese Islands are alive with colours, sounds and flavours providing a memorable Mediterranean atmosphere perfect for weddings, honeymoons and hen and stag dos.

WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS The serene archipelago welcomes same-sex marriage and presents a stunning array of wedding and honeymoon backdrops; sapphire waves kiss dramatic coastline, elegant winding streets lead to impressive Baroque structures and the untouched countryside basks in the year-round sunshine.

HEN & STAG DOS Malta has established itself as a popular party destination, attracting world-class DJs and clubbing brands to its shores each year.

Boasting an array of nightclubs, bars, restaurants and wine bars throughout the island; Malta is the perfect destination for hen and stag dos. Party until dawn in Paceville – located in St.Julians – where the club and bar scene is thriving, and enjoy an abundance of bars, restaurants and wine bars in Mdina, Valletta and Sliema.

A gastronomy haven, Malta boasts delicious Mediterranean and North African influenced cuisine and an array of local Maltese wines.

Heritage Malta offers couples the chance to get married in a range of stunning historical sites including Fort St Angelo, Hagar Qim & Mnajdra Temples and Inquisitor’s Palace. Visit heritagemalta.org to find out more.

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To learn more visit www.maltauk.com for further information and travel offers