First Maltese same-sex couple to adopt a child react to negative feedback

It was announced yesterday that Malta’s court had given the go-ahead for the first adoption of a child by a same-sex couple. Kris Grima, one half of the couple, posted a photo of baby Ben and a long statement on Facebook introducing their new bundle of joy and addressing people who criticized the announcement.

The full statement is replicated below:

“Today we may formally introduce our beautiful son; because we are forever grateful for the moment and to be living out our dream as parents and Ben’s dream of having a loving family. The journey has been long and difficult but it tested and challenged us in very different ways, we definitely grew through it. I wish to thank those many who supported us en route throughout the adoption with unconditional love, encouragement and support. To those others who gave a critical opprobrium based on their moral perspectives of what constitutes a family and the title of a ‘parent’; I still thank you because you thought us the type of protection we need to equip our son with and from whom. Your attack in the name of ‘the best interest of the child’, on ‘nature’, on ‘GOD’ ,should be to ensure the provision of legal protection and security for same sex parents that would warrant equality in terms of family rights and legal recognition. Legalizing Civil Union is not the final victory, as many thought. It proved in fact an intimidating falsity. Conflating as it may be one may very well change a law but its another to misconstrue change.It is fact that cultures do not just evaporate and rights by assimilation should be distinguished from rights for liberation. We are living in a pluralistic world and our ethos should be to embrace diversity, because the courtesy of freedom from discrimination should include the possibility of freedom for human exploration and growth, in my case the choice to marry the person that I love, to build a family and to be able to celebrate it with equal protection, treatment and recognition. Ben will have a life just like any other child of yours, he is blessed by two very loving parents, four grand parents, many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and two protective dogs:). He will diversify his perceptions through education and our support of what constitutes love, nature and beauty.

Your job now is to educate and promote equal integration within your family and teach your children to embrace difference, maybe the future generations would be more equipped, less hateful and more loving then the present. BEN IS THE FIRST CHILD TO BE ADOPTED BY A SAME SEX COUPLE IN MALTA BUT PLENTY OF OTHERS WILL FOLLOW.”

Some people are claiming that it may have been a mistake for Kris to make something so private, public and for actually posting a photo of his son. Possibly also giving away his actual identity could open his family up to more scrutiny and bullying tactics. However on the other hand this is the world we are living in and if new parents are congratulated when posting a photo of their new baby on Facebook, then why can’t this couple do the same? They love each other after all and as Kris says: “Ben is the first child to be adopted by a same-sex couple in Malta but plenty of others will follow.”

It is estimated that 132 million children worldwide are orphans. (UNICEF). Thanks to this lovely couple, there is now one less unfortunate little boy, whose life will be turned around thanks to this new recent ruling by our local courts.

So well done Malta and well done to Kris and Steve.

May parenthood bring you joy, love and not so many sleepless nights 😉

Published on 14/07/16