Malta’s prime minister confirms that the country will have free gender affirming surgery for trans people, under reformed laws.
Robert Abela attended Malta’s Pride event on 10 September, where he shared the news that changes are being made to the country’s current LGBTQ+ rights.
The PM told local ONE Radio: “My presence yesterday, as well as that of ministers and MPs, symbolises the messages that while we have done a lot, more is yet to come. While we’re proud of what we did, more needs to be done.”
Abela, who is leader of Malta’s Labour Party, also mentioned that the nations ban on gay men donating blood was recently lifted.
Free gender affirming surgeries are the next step in making Malta a more LGBTQ+ inclusive country.
In a facebook post announcing that the ban was lifted, Abela wrote: “Pride Week should serve not only to remember with pride what we have achieved in recent years, but also to understand that the work in favour of equality can never stop.”
“Today we will fulfil another electoral promise with new protocols for donating blood. That way we will have fairer protocols that remove any form of discrimination with LGBTIQ+ people where the parameters for a person to be able to donate blood will be equal for everyone.”
“Reforms remain at the top of this Government’s agenda. Not least in the equality sector,” ended the message.
Malta has been recognised for taking steps to become a safer place for LGBTQ+ people.
In 2019, the country was named Rainbow Europe’s best holiday destination for queer travellers.
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