43.7% Of Queer People In Malta Feel Unsafe Shows Survey

The results of the KNŻ Pride Survey have been released, with 143 total respondents and 119 appropriate responses for data extraction. 24 responses were outright hostile or queer-/trans-phobic in nature.

47.4% of respondents were aged 18-24, followed by the 25 to 29 age group at 18.1%. The majority, 29.4%, identified as bisexual, in terms of sexual orientation with the second largest cohort identifying as gay at 23.5%.When it came to gender identity and expression, the majority identified as cisgender, with 45.4% as women and 31.1% as men. 7.5% of respondents identified as transgender, while 9.2% identified as non-binary.

56.3% of respondents felt that Malta is safe for queer people whereas 43.7% is unsafe, despite Malta ranking first in the ILGA Rainbow Index for 9 years.

Respondents cited various reasons for lack of safety, including: not passing as a straight person, lack of education, religious zeal, workplace harassment, generational divide and online discrimination.

A whopping 74.8% felt that there is no representation at the political level, with 25.2% replying with yes. Meanwhile, 71.4% said that they did not participate in civil society or activist spaces.

When asked, on a scale from 1-10, if they felt comfortable speaking to friends/family about LGBTIQ+ issues, 69.7% answered 6 or higher. A larger 88.2% said that sexual education in Malta and Gozo does not provide youth with an adequate sexual education along with understanding of queer health and issues.

#MaltaDaily