• It is unfortunate that the reactions to the Church’s position paper authored by us have attributed statements to them which neither express their sentiments nor correspond to what they have written. 
    a) There is nothing in the paper that can be remotely construed as implying that homosexuality is a disease or disorder.
    b)  It is untrue that the paper links homosexuality with child abuse.
    c)  There is no statement in the paper which expresses negative sentiments or disrespect towards the dignity of LGBTIQ people.
    d) It is nowhere claimed that sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression are to be suppressed or eliminated.
    e) There is no reference that bisexual persons can be labeled as being promiscuous.
    Nowhere in the position paper have these opinions been expressed. No way are these opinions that we expressed in the position paper.
    On the contrary, the position paper clearly states that:
    a) the sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression of each and every individual is to be affirmed rather than changed, repressed or eliminated. This is an ethical and legal principle which cannot be compromised.
    b) conversion therapy against one’s own free and informed consent is to be prohibited.
    c) the issue of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression may not always be so simple and clear-cut in practice.
    d) professional people should not be precluded from applying their due discretion in the exercise of their profession to help their clients. 
    It is ironic that in a democratic country which claims to promote civil liberties, the proposed Bill permits only counselling that can help one to explore one’s sexual identity but prohibits voluntarily assistance for people seeking to resolve doubts or questions related to their sexual  orientation, gender identity and gender expression through appropriate forms of therapy.
    Thus, the Bill should recognise clearly that any adult person would be free to have whatever psychological services and other therapeutic services one may desire or require in relation to one’s sexual orientation, identity and gender.
     
    Rev Prof Emmanuel Agius
    Dean of the Faculty of Theology & Member of the European Group of Ethics in Science and New Technologies (European Commission)  
     
    Prof Kevin Aquilina
    Dean of the Faculty of Law
     
    Dr Austin Bencini
    Constitutional Lawyer
     
    Judge Giovanni Bonello
    Former Judge of the European Court of Human Rights
     
    Dr Nadia Delicata
    Lecturer at the University of Malta
     
    Rev Prof Paul Galea
    Psychologist
     
    Rev Prof George Grima
    Professor at the Faculty of Theology