Exhibit Number
06
6 February 2021 at 17:00:00

Image Credits:
Top: EU Flag
Bottom left: Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici addressing a meeting during the campaign for free Church Schools by Louis Cardona Melitensia Collector (pinterest)
Bottom Right: Michael Cashman via twitter @mcashmanCBE
Malta's road to membership of the EU was not flawless. A billboard at Naxxar's MLP club, proclaimed: "The European Union believes in abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriages".
Malta's former Labour Prime Minister (Karmenu Mifsud-Bonnici) thought membership of the EU would undermine ethics and morality in Malta and that Malta would have to recognise marriages validly contracted in another EU country. Mifsud-Bonnici also thought Malta would not be allowed to prohibit the conduct of EU citizens linked to their sexual orientation where such conduct offended Christian ethic and morality.
Opposition to the MLP cam from an unlikely source: Michael Cashman, MEP and Britain's Labour Party. Cashman, an openly gay man, pleaded with Maltese to join the EU which he described as both an economic bloc and social democratic model that promotes equal rights.
MGRM criticized the MLP for using gay rights to frighten the electoriate and the PN government for creating the impression that membership of the EU would not impact on gay rights in Malta.
Chetcuti, J. C. (2009). Queer Mediterranean Memories - penetrating the secret history and silence of gay and lesbian disguise in the Maltese archipelago. Australia: Lygon Street Legal Services.