24 civil unions since new law passed

24 couples have entered into civil unions- 22 in Malta and two in Gozo- since the law was passed in April of this year. This was revealed by equal opportunities Helena Dalli in response to a parliamentary question by shadow equal opportunities minister Claudette Buttigieg on Wednesday.

Dalli added that a further 11 same-sex couples who had married or entered into civil unions outside of Malta have also registered their marriages and unions in Malta according to the provisions of the new Civil Unions Act.

“However, the number of recognized same-sex couples could be even greater as the law also recognizes those couples who marry or enter into civil unions abroad but do not register locally,” Dalli said.

Responding to two separate parliamentary questions, Dalli said that the law grants people in civil unions the same rights as married couples, including rights to pensions, widow’s pensions, children’s allowance, and applications for housing and social housing.