Restoration and renovation work will begin on a government building in Triq l-Ifran il Belt, to serve as a community center that will provide psychosocial services for LGBTIQ+ people and their families.
This was announced by the Minister for Lands and the Implementation of the Electoral Program Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and the Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg, during a news conference where they announced how this project is being done with public investment with the aim of continuing the move towards equality.
Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that thanks to the transfer of this building another election promise made to the LGBTIQ+ community will be fulfilled. The minister explained how the Lands Authority is carrying out an important exercise so that where there is Government property that can be of use to communities, work is done with other Government entities so that these buildings can regain their life back.
“The value of a building is not determined only from the financial point of view but also depends on the use we make of it. Therefore I am convinced that this transfer will not only be of great contribution to the LGBTIQ+ community, but also to society in general,” stated Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.
He concluded by saying that the Lands Authority will continue to work carefully and responsibly with various NGOs as well as with the Local Councils to identify more sites that can be better utilized for the benefit of society.
Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg said that this center will be another link in a chain that should continue to bring the LGBTIQ+ community closer to equality and strengthen respect for human rights for queer people. She added that although in the last ten years significant steps have been taken in this area, so much so that for the ninth year Malta has been ranked first in the European equality index, certain prejudices and discrimination against the -LGBTIQ+ persons.
“The revolution in civil rights that took place during the last ten years clearly shows the significant steps that the Maltese have taken to overcome the prejudices that existed against the LGBTIQ+ community, however there is still more to be done and the Government is committed to fostering a more egalitarian mentality and culture so that every individual is treated with respect and dignity,” said Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg.
This center will offer a number of services under one roof including, emotional and psychological help with a counseling and therapy service to help individuals address the emotional and mental challenges they may be facing, health services such as Gender Wellbeing Clinic both those provided by the state and others that will be given by the NGOs working in this sector. The center will also serve to address cases of discrimination by offering counseling services and psychosocial support to people who face any form of discrimination.
Another important function of this center is to promote equality through awareness and education campaigns to bring about a change for the better in stereotypical mindsets that still persist, while providing access to resources and learning opportunities among others with a specialized library.
The purpose of this project is to strengthen social inclusion because it will provide a space where LGBTIQ+ people can meet, interact and support each other with the aim of contributing to a more coherent and inclusive society. The aim of the center is also to serve as support for families with information sessions for parents to understand more and accept their children’s identity.
