Intersex rights in Malta

{{further|Intersex in history}}

A 12th-century canon law collection known as the {{lang|la|Decretum Gratiani}} states that "Whether an hermaphrodite may witness a testament, depends on which sex prevails" (Hermafroditus an ad testamentum adhiberi possit, qualitas sexus incalescentis ostendit).Decretum Gratiani, C. 4, q. 2 et 3, c. 3{{cite web | url = http://geschichte.digitale-sammlungen.de/decretum-gratiani/kapitel/dc_chapter_1_1585 | title = Decretum Gratiani (Kirchenrechtssammlung) | work = Bayerische StaatsBibliothek (Bavarian State Library) | date = 5 February 2009 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161220084841/http://geschichte.digitale-sammlungen.de/decretum-gratiani/kapitel/dc_chapter_1_1585 | archive-date = 20 December 2016 | df = dmy-all }}

In a court case heard at the Castellania in 1774 during the Order of St John in Malta, 17-year-old Rosa Mifsud from Luqa, later described in clinical literature as a "pseudo-hermaphrodite", petitioned for a change in sex classification from female.{{cite book|last=Savona-Ventura|first=Charles|date=2015|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SrA_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA115|title=Knight Hospitaller Medicine in Malta [1530-1798]|publisher=Lulu|page=115|isbn=978-1326482220|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206104951/https://books.google.com.mt/books?id=SrA_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA115|archive-date=6 February 2017|df=dmy-all}} Two clinicians were appointed by the court to perform an examination. They found that "the male sex is the dominant one". The examiners were the Physician-in-Chief and a senior surgeon, both working at the Sacra Infermeria.{{cite journal|last=Cassar|first=Paul|date=11 December 1954|journal=British Medical Journal|title=Change of Sex Sanctioned by a Maltese Law Court in the Eighteenth Century|url=https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/handle/123456789/10931/OA-Change%20of%20sex%20sanctioned%20by%20a%20maltese%20law%20court%20in%20the%20eighteenth%20century.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|volume=2|issue=4901|page=1413|publisher=Malta University Press|pmid=13209141|pmc=2080334|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205234540/https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/10931|archive-date=5 February 2017|doi=10.1136/bmj.2.4901.1413}} The Grandmaster himself took the final decision for Mifsud to wear male-only clothes from then on.

File:Third International Intersex Forum.jpg was made, December 2013]]

In 2013, Malta hosted the third International Intersex Forum in Valletta, where a civil society statement named the Malta declaration was signed. The event was supported by ILGA and ILGA-Europe, and brought together 34 people representing 30 organisations from multiple regions of the world.[http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/news/latest/intersex_forum First ever international intersex forum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226222906/http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/news/latest/intersex_forum |date=26 December 2013 }}, ILGA-Europe (Creative Commons statement), 6 September 2011[http://ilga.org/first-ever-international-intersex-forum/ First ever international intersex forum] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629120526/http://ilga.org/first-ever-international-intersex-forum/ |date=29 June 2015 }}, ILGA, 7 September 2011 Local representatives Silvan Agius of ILGA-Europe and Ruth Baldacchino of ILGA hosted and co-organized the event. The declaration affirmed the existence of intersex people, and demanded an end to "discrimination against intersex people and to ensure the right of bodily integrity, physical autonomy and self-determination".[http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/news/latest/intersex_forum_2013 3rd International Intersex Forum concluded] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204073813/http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/news/latest/intersex_forum_2013 |date=4 December 2013 }}, ILGA-Europe (Creative Commons statement), 2 December 2013[http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/global-intersex-community-affirms-shared-goals/113806 Global intersex community affirms shared goals] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206093257/http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/global-intersex-community-affirms-shared-goals/113806 |date=6 December 2013 }}, Star Observer, 4 December 2013[http://www.oii.tw/Home/3rd-is-forum-statement (Chinese) 2013第三屆世界陰陽人論壇宣言] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226091422/http://www.oii.tw/Home/3rd-is-forum-statement |date=26 December 2013 }}, Oii-Chinese, December 2013 Silvan Agius subsequently became human rights policy coordinator at the Ministry for Social Dialogue, and Ruth Baldacchino became co-secretary general of ILGA.{{cite web |url=http://www.astraeafoundation.org/news/344/60/Introducing-the-Intersex-Fund-team-at-Astraea |title=Introducing the Intersex Fund team at Astraea! |author= |date=16 June 2015 |publisher=Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice |access-date=2015-07-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703205803/http://www.astraeafoundation.org/news/344/60/Introducing-the-Intersex-Fund-team-at-Astraea |archive-date=3 July 2015 |df=dmy-all }}

In 2015, Malta adopted world-first protections for intersex people, including protection from non-consensual cosmetic changes to sex characteristics in childhood, and protection from discrimination.

[[File:Protection of intersex children from harmful practices.svg|thumb|right|260px|

{{legend|#002255|Legal prohibition of non-consensual medical interventions}}

{{legend|#0066FF|Regulatory suspension of non-consensual medical interventions}}]]

{{further|Intersex human rights|Intersex medical interventions}}

In April 2015, Malta passed world-first legislation that protects intersex infants and children from non-consensual medical interventions. The Gender Identity Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act recognizes a right to bodily integrity and physical autonomy.{{Citation| last = Malta| title = Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act: Final version| date = April 2015| url = http://justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=26805&l=1}}

{{blockquote|14. (1) It shall be unlawful for medical practitioners or other professionals to conduct any sex assignment treatment and/or surgical intervention on the sex characteristics of a minor which treatment and/or intervention can be deferred until the person to be treated can provide informed consent:

Provided that such sex assignment treatment and/or surgical intervention on the sex characteristics of the minor shall be conducted if the minor gives informed consent through the person exercising parental authority or the tutor of the minor.

(2) In exceptional circumstances treatment may be effected once agreement is reached between the interdisciplinary team and the persons exercising parental authority or tutor of the minor who is still unable to provide consent:

Provided that medical intervention which is driven by social factors without the consent of the minor, will be in violation of this Act.}}

The Act was widely welcomed internationally by civil society organizations.{{cite web |url=http://transactivists.org/2015/04/08/making-depathologization-a-matter-of-law-a-comment-from-gate-on-the-maltese-act-on-gender-identity-gender-expression-and-sex-characteristics/ |title=Making depathologization a matter of law. A comment from GATE on the Maltese Act on Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics |last1=Cabral |first1=Mauro |author-link=Mauro Cabral |date=8 April 2015 |publisher=Global Action for Trans Equality |access-date=2015-07-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704213308/http://transactivists.org/2015/04/08/making-depathologization-a-matter-of-law-a-comment-from-gate-on-the-maltese-act-on-gender-identity-gender-expression-and-sex-characteristics/ |archive-date=4 July 2015 |df=dmy-all }}{{Cite news| last = Star Observer| author-link = Star Observer| title = Malta passes law outlawing forced surgical intervention on intersex minors| work = Star Observer| date = 2 April 2015| url = http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/international-news-news/malta-passes-law-outlawing-forced-surgical-intervention-on-intersex-minors/134800| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150814120842/http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/international-news-news/malta-passes-law-outlawing-forced-surgical-intervention-on-intersex-minors/134800| archive-date = 14 August 2015| df = dmy-all}}{{Cite web| last = OII Europe| title = OII-Europe applauds Malta's Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act. This is a landmark case for intersex rights within European law reform| date = 1 April 2015| url = http://oiieurope.org/press-release-oii-europe-applauds-maltas-gender-identity-gender-expression-and-sex-characteristics-act/| access-date = 2015-07-03| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150522051313/http://oiieurope.org/press-release-oii-europe-applauds-maltas-gender-identity-gender-expression-and-sex-characteristics-act/| archive-date = 22 May 2015| df = dmy-all}}{{cite web |url=https://oii.org.au/28592/we-celebrate-maltese-protections-for-intersex-people/ |title=We celebrate Maltese protections for intersex people |last1=Carpenter |first1=Morgan |author-link=Morgan Carpenter |date=2 April 2015 |publisher=Organisation Intersex International Australia |access-date=2015-07-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704224253/https://oii.org.au/28592/we-celebrate-maltese-protections-for-intersex-people/ |archive-date=4 July 2015 |df=dmy-all }}{{Cite conference| last = Transgender Europe| author-link = Transgender Europe| title = Malta Adopts Ground-breaking Trans and Intersex Law – TGEU Press Release| date = 1 April 2015| url = http://tgeu.org/malta-adopts-ground-breaking-trans-intersex-law/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161103161043/http://tgeu.org/malta-adopts-ground-breaking-trans-intersex-law/| archive-date = 3 November 2016| df = dmy-all| access-date = 3 February 2017}}

[[File:Inclusion of sex characteristics in anti-discrimination law.svg|thumb|right|260px|

{{legend|#002255|Explicit protection from discrimination on grounds of sex characteristics}}

{{legend|#0066FF|Explicit protection on grounds of intersex status}}

{{legend|#9FCFFF|Explicit protection on grounds of intersex within attribute of sex}}]]

{{main|Discrimination against intersex people}}

The 2015 Gender Identity Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act protects intersex people from discrimination on grounds of "sex characteristics", as well as offering world-first protection from harmful practices. Sex characteristics was defined as follows:

{{blockquote|"sex characteristics" refers to the chromosomal, gonadal and anatomical features of a person, which include primary characteristics such as reproductive organs and genitalia and/or in chromosomal structures and hormones; and secondary characteristics such as muscle mass, hair distribution, breasts and/or structure.}}

Also in 2015, the Ministry for Education and Employment introduced a policy for trans, gender variant and intersex students in schools, aiming to promote inclusion and combat discrimination.{{Citation| publisher = Ministry for Education and Employment| last = Ministry for Education and Employment| title = Trans, Gender Variant and Intersex Students in Schools: Policy| date = June 2015| url = http://education.gov.mt/en/resources/Documents/Policy%20Documents/Trans,%20Gender%20Variant%20and%20Intersex%20Students%20in%20Schools%20Policy.pdf| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160414130309/http://education.gov.mt/en/resources/Documents/Policy%20Documents/Trans,%20Gender%20Variant%20and%20Intersex%20Students%20in%20Schools%20Policy.pdf| archive-date = 14 April 2016| df = dmy-all}}

{{main|Legal recognition of intersex people}}

The same Gender Identity Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act introduced new provisions allowing applicants to change their gender identity documents by a simple administrative method.{{Cite news| agency = Reuters| title = Surgery and Sterilization Scrapped in Malta's Benchmark LGBTI Law| work = The New York Times| date = 1 April 2015| url = https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/04/01/world/europe/01reuters-gay-rights-malta.html}} Malta also permits an "X" option on identification documents since 6 September 2017.{{cite web | url = http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/49185/male_female_or_x_the_new_gender_options_on_identification_documents | title = Male, Female or X: the new gender options on identification documents | last = Dalli | first = Miriam | work = Malta Today | date = 3 February 2015 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161215153103/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/49185/male_female_or_x_the_new_gender_options_on_identification_documents | archive-date = 15 December 2016 | df = dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/80228/malta_introduces_x_marker_on_passports_id_cards_and_work_permits|title=Malta introduces 'X' marker on passports, ID cards and work permits|last=Pace|first=Yannick|work=Malta Today|date=5 September 2017|access-date=6 September 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906094152/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/80228/malta_introduces_x_marker_on_passports_id_cards_and_work_permits|archive-date=6 September 2017|df=dmy-all}} The first ID card and passport with "X" marker were issued on 23 January 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/83920/malta_releases_first_passport_with_neutral_x_gender_marker|title=Malta releases first passport with neutral 'X' gender marker|last=Sansone|first=Kurt|work=Malta Today|date=23 January 2018|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414112000/https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/83920/malta_releases_first_passport_with_neutral_x_gender_marker|archive-date=14 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://lovinmalta.com/news/malta-officially-has-its-first-gender-neutral-citizen|title=Malta Officially Has Its First Gender-Neutral Citizen|last=Diacono|first=Tim|work=Lovin Malta|date=23 January 2018|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414112637/https://lovinmalta.com/news/malta-officially-has-its-first-gender-neutral-citizen|archive-date=14 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2018-01/24/content_50285620.htm|title=Malta has its first officially gender-neutral citizen|work=Xinhua News Agency|publisher=China Internet Information Center|date=23 January 2018|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414113630/http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2018-01/24/content_50285620.htm|archive-date=14 April 2018}}

Legislation to enact marriage equality was introduced following a snap election in mid-2017. It went into effect on 1 September 2017.{{cite news|url=http://justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=28624&l=1|title=L.N. 212 of 2017 Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act No. XXIII of 2017), Commencement Notice|publisher=Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government of Malta|access-date=29 August 2017|date=25 August 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170829/local/same-sex-couples-can-marry-as-from-friday.656746|title=Same sex couples can marry as from Friday|work=Times of Malta|first=Kurt|last=Sansone|date=29 August 2017|access-date=29 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829192318/https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170829/local/same-sex-couples-can-marry-as-from-friday.656746|archive-date=29 August 2017}}

• Malta declaration
• Intersex human rights
• LGBT rights in Malta

{{Reflist}}

• {{Citation| last2 = Council of Europe| last1 = Commissioner for Human Rights | author1-link = Commissioner for Human Rights | title = Human rights and intersex people, Issue Paper| date = April 2015| url = https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=CommDH/IssuePaper(2015)1&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original}}
• {{Citation| last = Malta| title = Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act: Final version| date = April 2015| url = http://justiceservices.gov.mt/DownloadDocument.aspx?app=lp&itemid=26805&l=1}}
• {{Citation| last = Ministry for Education and Employment| title = Trans, Gender Variant and Intersex Students in Schools: Policy| date = June 2015| url = http://education.gov.mt/en/resources/Documents/Policy%20Documents/Trans,%20Gender%20Variant%20and%20Intersex%20Students%20in%20Schools%20Policy.pdf| access-date = 3 February 2017| archive-date = 14 April 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160414130309/http://education.gov.mt/en/resources/Documents/Policy%20Documents/Trans,%20Gender%20Variant%20and%20Intersex%20Students%20in%20Schools%20Policy.pdf| url-status = dead}}

{{Europe topic |prefix=Intersex rights in}}

{{Intersex}}

{{Malta topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Intersex rights In Malta}}