Insite leader's debate on campus
by Paul
During
the leaders’ debate on Campus, which was held on Wednesday 13th February 2013,
“We Are” was courteously invited by Insite to field a question to one or all of
the party leaders. I was given the
honour to represent “We Are” at the event and put our question to the three
would be Prime Ministers. Our question
was formulated by the Executive Board and went as follows:
“The Irish government had recently introduced
a policy which targets the issue of bullying, particularly the issue of
homophobic or transphobic bullying. The
aim of this policy is to tackle such problems at their roots through
education. Our question is whether there
is any intention by either of you to, once in government, introduce such a
policy in order to educate youth on such issues?”
Michael
Brigulgio was the first person to answer the question, and the only one to
answer in the affirmative, though he didn’t specify how or when. Whilst direct quotations are not completely
available at this moment since I have no transcript, he basically promised that
such policies were part of AD’s manifesto and where vital to improving
society’s understanding of such issues.
Joseph
Muscat answered second and although he didn’t quite specify whether or not he
intended to introduce such policies or when he would. But he stressed that he believed fully in
LGBT rights and that it was government’s job to ensure these rights and he
would be doing so immediately should he be elected to power.
Lawrence
Gonzi agreed that he felt education with regards to LGBTQQI issues was an
essential part of creating a cohesive society, which was more accepting and
understanding of such issues. And while
agreeing that a PN government would be sure to include education aimed at
LGBTQQI issues, his answer remained vague with no clear plan or outline given.
It
should also be noted that besides our questions Insite too fielded their own
questions with regards to LGBTQQI issues, and whilst I did not manage to take
down the participants’ answers in full, I was glad to note that all discussions
with regards to LGBTQQI rights were very positive, which is very
encouraging. Though admittedly some
parties are promising more than others what was good to note was that all are
pushing for improvement of the status quo, so one can take solace in the fact
that whoever the future leader will be things should move forward.
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