Malta has been ranked as the 10th safest country for the LGBTQ community in an international survey assessing 150 countries revealing “the good, the average and the utterly grotesque”.

The results, which were shared by international travel site Asher and Lyric, were based on their LGBTQ Danger Index, which is based on eight criteria, ranging from same-sex marriage rights to propaganda and morality laws. Norway came in first place, while Nigeria was ranked at the very bottom.

Despite recent events and incidents involving acts of discrimination and hatred on non-binary and transgender people, Malta is still considered quite a safe place to live in if you are part of a sexual or gender minority.

Especially in comparison to other countries, Malta has made great strides in the past several decades, with massive thanks to NGOs and activists who have always fought and spread their message with the strength and valour.

A brief history of Malta’s LGBTQ rights.

Malta decriminalised same-sex sexual activity (even though the Catholic Church opposed it) in 1973.

The same-sex civil union bill was passed in 2014, allowing same-sex couples to have their relationships recognised by the state.

And in 2017, the same-sex marriage bill was introduced.

When it comes to gender, the gender-neutral category ‘X’ was introduced onto identification cards and passports in 2017 alongside the opening of a gender clinic in 2018.

If Malta keeps striving for a more inclusive and accepting Malta, who knows, maybe the island can reach number one the next time around!

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