We love Malta!
It’s an incredible country with so many things to do, whilst at the same time, EASILY ranking as one of the most gay friendly countries in the world that we’ve ever been to.
We felt so welcome by everyone here and never had any problems checking into a hotel room. We also got to discover the gay side of Malta and were pleasantly surprised to see that despite being such a small nation, it has a comparatively high number of queer hangouts and events.
In this article, we explore what it is that makes Malta so darn welcoming to the LGBTQ community, specifically in light of the ILGA’s 2022 European Rainbow Index, which ranked Malta top of the class with an impressive score of 92%!
Malta’s ranked first for LGBTQ rights by ILGA
ILGA Europe is an independent NGO that focuses on international change on a political, legal, and social front in both Europe and Central Asia. Their yearly reports showcase the levels of protection of dignity, freedoms, and human rights regardless of who you love, gender identity, or gender expression.
Each year, ILGA advocates for human rights and equality, by measuring and tracking a range of different factors relating to the LGBTQ community across Europe. For the past 7 years, the unassuming cluster of Maltese islands has claimed the #1 spot for ILGA’s LGBTQ rights!
History of LGBTQ rights in Malta
The first milestone for Malta was the legalization of homosexuality back in 1973 followed by a number of legal milestones. From the outset, the Maltese LGBTQ community has fought long and hard for progress. One of the earlier pillars of success for example was allowing LGBT people to openly serve in the Maltese Army. Another landmark moment was the introduction of Civil Unions between LGBTQ couples in 2014, which subsequently evolved into full marriage equality in 2017. More recently in 2022, Malta banned conversion therapy on minors.
Other pivotal improvements in Maltese law for the LGBTQ community include legalizing adoption to single members of the LGBTQ community and subsequently to gay couples. In addition, IVF treatments are now also available through local healthcare and private medical care.
The most striking progress in relation to Maltese LGBTQ laws relate to gender identity, in particular allowing transgender and non-binary people the right to change their gender with or without surgery. This right extends to full access to public healthcare, education, and equality within the workforce.
Inclusivity is Key: Malta’s…
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