Malta Launches ‘Queer Dictionaries’ In Maltese And English To Guide Media Reports On LGBTIQ+ Issues
Malta’s government has launched an official ‘queer dictionary’ and reporting guidelines to aid the media in reporting matters related to LGBTIQ+ issues.
The dictionary, with versions in both English and Maltese, is extensive, and includes definitions for words like ‘cisgender’ (ċisġeneru), ‘demisexual’ (demisesswali), ‘gender fluid’ (ġeneru fluwidu), ‘pansexual’ (pansesswali) and ‘pomosexual’ (pomosesswali).
“Many of us refrain from speaking about sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics out of fear of using the wrong terminology to express themselves or identify others,” the dictionary states.
“This obstacle is often heightened in interactions in Maltese, with terminology often substituted with its English counterpart. We hope that this glossary will give you a better understanding of the words that you are using, while making your conversations with others easier and more comfortable.”
“Terminology changes across cultures and time, and while all efforts were made to make this tool as comprehensive as possible, you might still encounter words that are not listed here. As a general rule, always listen for and respect the terminology a person uses to define themself.”
Meanwhile, the media reference guide is intended to act as a guide for newsrooms, journalists, content creators, writers and media professionals when discussing LGBTIQ+ related issues.
The guidelines include different definitions for ‘gender’ and ‘sex’, with ‘gender’ defined as “the socially constructed roles, expectations, activities, behaviours and attributes that society at any given time associates with the broad spectrum of identities and expressions assumed by individuals”.
“It has deep historical, social and cultural dimensions and may or may not be aligned with the sex assigned at birth,” it reads.
Meanwhile, the word “sex” refers to “the biological makeup such as primary and secondary sexual characteristics, chromosomes, and hormones.”
The guide doesn’t include definitions for the words ‘man’ and ‘woman’. Instead, “endosex male” is used as a term for “a person at birth whose sex produces spermatozoa and refers to traditionally defined anatomy (e.g. penis, scrotum) and chromosomal makeup (XY) of a boy/man.”
Contrarily, “endosex female” is a term “assigned to a person at birth whose sex produces ova and has traditionally defined anatomy (e.g. vagina, uterus) and chromosomal makeup (XX) of a girl/ woman.”
Meanwhile “cisgender” is advised to be used as the term for “people whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth” and “trans/transgender” for people whose gender identity differs from it or who identity as “gender variant or any other gender identity which isn’t standard male or female”.
“The media has an important role to play in all societies in reporting, educating, entertaining as well as holding politicians and others to account and is an essential pillar in any democracy,” Parliamentary Secretary for Equality Rebeca Buttigieg said.
“The media in Malta has played a key role in raising awareness about LGBTIQ+ issues and in portraying personal accounts of discrimination and resilience of LGBTIQ+ persons.”
“More people in Maltese society are today accepting of LGBTIQ+ people because of the increased visibility and representation of LGBTIQ+ issues in the various media, helping to combat stigma and prejudice towards sexual and gender minorities.”
“They have amplified the voices of civil society advocating for LGBTIQ+ equality and provided space for policy makers to explain legislative initiatives to viewers and readers. They have helped normalise LGBTIQ+ identities by increasingly including LGBTIQ+ characters in television series. They have consequently also enabled more LGBTIQ+ persons to see themselves represented and to feel they belong.”
“Stories are powerful and how we tell those stories matters a great deal. It is precisely because of the prominent role that the media plays in the dissemination of information and ideas that it is essential that they undertake this role with the necessary knowledge and understanding, that they steer away from stereotypical representations of LGBTIQ+ people and that they challenge mis-representations that are not backed by science.”
“It is hoped that this resource will serve as a tool, helping to ensure that the media continues to be a positive force in our society, one based on respect for diversity, equality and solidarity.”
What do you make of these dictionaries?
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