
More political and influential figures in Malta spoke out over the case wherein students were withdrawn from a local school due to the realisation by the parents that the teacher was gay.
Among those speaking out was MP Roseanne Cutajar, who said that it is ‘absurd that in 2025 there are still people who look at gay people as a danger to society.’
These parents, she said, ‘are not realising that the drastic decision will leave a negative psychological impact on them as they have to start everything from scratch, make new friends and get used to a new environment.’
Wife of PN Leader Bernard Grech, AnneMarie, a teacher herself, also spoke out, saying that throughout her years in the profession, she always knew the importance of students recognising the importance of respect towards diversity from a young age.
‘Our children are too young to be taught to label others’, said AnneMarie.
Minister Miriam Dalli posted a video calling out the situation, asking whether we’ll be accepting situations like this, especially given the global political climate where LGBTIQ+ identities are being targeted.
‘We cannot lose that which our country worked so hard to achieve’, she concluded. Minister Julia Farrugia also shared a video, highlighting how people within the LGBTIQ+ community work with her closely and extraordinary and responsible they are.
The ADPD also shared a statement, with chairperson Sandra Gauci highlighting how discriminating against someone on the basis of sexuality and gender is illegal. ‘Despite this principle being in our laws, prejudice is still alive and strong and can only be overcome through education.
MGRM also issued a statement, expressing their solidarity with Stefan and their gratitude towards St Clare College Primary School for standing by him.
‘Parents excluding or isolating an educator because of their sexual orientation is increasingly worrying for the simple reason that students and children who are in the coming out process may give rise to self doubt and personal anxieties when they observe these behaviours.’
Local influencer Jean Pierre Cassar followed up with a statement as well, saying that ‘one can remove their child from a class due to their teacher being gay but know that you cannot live in a bubble. Gay people can be doctors you will be in need of, nurses who care for you, the lawyer, the driver, the shop-owner you bought something from…’
‘Your neighbour you might be in need of help from in an emergency, the restaurant you eat from might have a gay owner and chef, the song you listen to on the radio tomorrow might be produced by a gay person, and a film you might watch tomorrow might have a large number of gay people who worked on it.’
‘Your kids might even come to you tomorrow and tell you they’re gay. Don’t use Christ or your religion as your excuse. The God you believe in encourages you to love your neighbour. I stand with Stefan.’
‘When we teach children, through our attitudes, to reject others based on gender, ethnicity, or other differences, we not only hinder their ability to embrace diversity but also shape a future society rooted in division, prejudice, and a lack of empathy’, wrote Oliver Scicluna.
#MaltaDaily