Once again Malta ranks #1 in ILGA-Europe Rainbow Index

Malta has ranked number 1 For the second year running on ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Index. Leading the the 49 Council of Europe Member States where LGBTIQ legislation and policy are concerned.

Malta is followed by Norway (2nd) and the United Kingdom (3rd), Whilst Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan are the bottom 3 countries.

Read more: https://rainbow-europe.org/country-ranking

In a statement by Gabi Calleja, coordinator of the Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement and Chair of the LGBTIQ consultative council, highlighted that in 2016 Malta introduced the GIGESC act - the Gender Identity and Gender Expression & Sexual Characteristics Act, banning harmful conversion practices and also depathologised LGBT identities ensuring that no sexual orientation. gender identity or gender expression could be considered an illness or disease.

The Trans, Gender Variant and Intersex Inmates Policy was adopted by Corradino Correctional Services providing guidelines to be followed by correctional services.

While recognising the progress that has been achieved, some issues remain outstanding particularly in the area of access to health. Malta still lacks trans sensitive and specific health services; its HIV treatment formulary is outdated and far from what could be considered best practice; and access to reproductive health for same sex couples remains criminalised.

in light of the general election arc and mgrm have presented a joint manifesto to the major 4 political parties which amongst others include tackling the above mentioned issues.