8 Stories Of Homophobia And Transphobia In Malta That Prove Society Has A Lot Of Catching Up To Do

Homophobia and transphobia are not just words the LGBT+ community throws around, they’re real, tangible issues. 

May 17th marks the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and so to highlight why days like this (and Pride) are so important, here are 12 stories from people living in Malta.

1. Volunteering with LGBT+ people can make you lose a job opportunity

“I was asked to go in for a “meeting” after an interview at a church school because my CV stated voluntary work with an LGBT entity. I was confronted and asked if I was gay because they wouldn’t want their kids to see their teacher hand-in-hand with a same-sex partner on a Sunday walk somewhere. I never took them to court because a family member was about to start school there so I chose to stay quiet.”

2. Lesbian couples sexually harassed on the streets just for being in love

“A random guy came up to me and my girlfriend while I had my hand around her on a bench next to the sea in Balluta. He started at us said he ‘likes this’ (referring to us being lesbians) and started to rub his penis, telling us he wants to show us more, forcing us to leave running.”

3. Gay people have their homes vandalised and dirtied by neighbours who ‘disapprove’

“I’ve had rubbish thrown into my garden by neighbours just because I’m gay. On social media I’ve been threatened been called various derogatory things because I wrote something they disagree with, and most times they’ll use my sexuality to insult me.”

4. We all assume the younger generation is more open, but it’s not always the case

“I was swimming at Għadira with my then girlfriend and as any couple would do I gave her a peck on the lips. A group of around 10 kids between the ages of 8 and 13 circled us and started shouting ‘jaq’ and saying that it’s sick and abnormal. This is coming from kids imagine what grownups are capable of doing.”

5. Going to parties as an LGBT+ person always feels like a dangerous gamble  

“One person threw water at me and my partner in a club. In another club someone kept trying to separate my partner and I, and when they did they tried to hit me.”

6. Not finding support at school can be a traumatic experience for young people growing up

“When I first changed my name at school people started to bully me incessantly. They’d come into the bathroom and purposely open the door while calling me names. Notes were stuck to my locker all the time. I had even an a level sociology teacher who refused to call me by my preferred pronouns and name.” 

“I didn’t find that much help from administration so I had to speak to the councillors and took matters into my own hands to fight for my rights. When I did this, instead of getting help I was threatened with getting kicked out of school”

7. It’s not always aggressive or threatening, sometimes it’s prejudice or disdain

“Passive homophobia is real. It’s a lot of comments like ‘miskin x’ħasra dak gay ta! Qas temmen’.”

“I’m a straight man but even something as simple as wearing skinny jeans can lead to stupid comments like ‘ara dak il-pufta’.”

8. Homophobia within the community can be a scary thing

“I’ve seen the most derogatory words about my bisexuality come from lesbian partners of mine who made me feel like my sexuality was invalid.”

“Gay men, especially those who are ‘straight-acting’ have a huge issue with how camp I am. They feel like it’s ruining some illusion for them and that the heterosexuals will never accept us if I keep being myself.”

But there is some hope. Since the changes in legislation have forced people to talk and think about these issues, society has gotten a lot more accepting – it’s just that there’s loads more work to do.

If you’re LGBT+ and reading these, please don’t let it discourage you from being yourself.

Over 80%  of respondents on our survey who identified as LGBT+ and are out and open about it, have said they’re much happier now than when they weren’t out.

If you’re confused, need help or require any support, please, call the National Gay Helpline on +356 21430006 / +356 99255559

READ NEXT: SURVEY: How Bad Is Homophobia And Transphobia In Malta?