In Malta, amendments to the law On marriage, which legalized same-sex unions. About it reports The Independent.
The changes also provide for an exemption from the law of the terms “husband,” “wife” “mother” and “father” and replace them with gender-neutral. In addition, permitted the adoption of children by gay couples.
“Malta wants to take the lead in matters of civil liberties of the LGBT community to serve as a model for the rest of the world”, — said the Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat.
In turn, the Archbishop of Malta Charles Scicluna noted that the Church is “not against gays”, but criticized the proposed changes. “The withdrawal of the law of the terms “husband” and “wife” “father” and “mother” regrettable”, he said.
In December 2016 Malta became the first European country where the law prohibits the treatment of homosexuality. Attempt to force another person to change the orientation or gender identity is considered in the state a crime, and the idea that homosexuality can be cured, is recognized as “harmful and misleading”.