[WATCH] Updated | Equality sticker campaign aimed at raising awareness among hospitality workers

LGBTQ welcome stickers are just the beginning of the initiative

Equality minister Helena Dalli has played down the controversy surrounding an equality mark campaign for businesses in the hospitality sector, insisting it was directed at foreign workers who may not fully appreciate the inclusion enshrined in Malta’s laws.

The initiative, called #ALLWELCOME is piloted by the Human Rights Directorate within the Equality Ministry and was launched on Monday in conjunction with the Malta Tourism Authority.

Businesses operating in the hospitality sector will be able to apply for a sticker indicating that their establishment embraces diversity. The sticker, which sports the rainbow colours associated with the LGBTIQ community caused a stir with many gay people interpreting it as a means to segregate individuals.

The campaign stirred controversy among many in the LGBTIQ community

Dalli told MaltaToday on Tuesday that the sticker was backed by a policy on awareness training for workers in the hospitality industry.

“This is aimed primarily at the hospitality industry that employs people from countries with different laws to ours and who require awareness on inclusion and the celebration of diversity we have in Malta,” the minister said.

She added that companies who spoke to the directorate and agreed with the initiative wanted to foster a climate of acceptance, inclusion and celebration of diversity.

While the initiative has been welcomed by some, many others took to social media to voice their frustration at what they perceived as a step backwards for the LGBTIQ community.

Many of those who expressed an opinion against the scheme said that after years of trying to do away with labels, and of trying to achieve equality in society, the government was now resorting to labels to differentiate between different types of people. Others referred to the stunt as a gimmick only intended to push Malta as a LGBTIQ destination.

However, not everyone was against the new scheme. Some said they supported the initiative, arguing that many of those who were commenting did not know what it felt like to enter an establishment that was not welcoming.

Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi said the initiative would allow Malta to show the world that it did not discriminate. “The businesses and other organisations involved aim at being more inclusive, not only towards employees but also towards their customers and business partners, especially in reference to the LGBTIQ community.”

Campaign makes Malta look like an intolerant country – PN

The Nationalist Party said that the government’s campaign was “without a doubt a campaign that put our country in the same basket as countries where intolerance dominates”.

“Nobody is understanding why businesses should need a sign to say they are prepared to accept all types of persons, specifically LGBTIQ persons, when this is enshrined in the constitution, and therefore needs to be observed and respected by everyone,” the PN said.

The party added that it appeared as though the minister was trying to create an issue where there was none.

“This sticker is an insult to LGBTIQ people because it goes against the same principles of equality based on diversity, and introduces the idea that people have labels and that that person can be accepted in one place but not another,” the PN said.