Gabi Calleja | |
|---|---|
 Calleja in 2016 | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Malta |
| Known for | LGBTQ rights activism |
| Awards | International Women of Courage Award (2012) |
Gabi Calleja is a Maltese LGBTQ rights activist.[1] She has served as coordinator of the Malta Gay Rights Movement and co-chair of the Executive Board of ILGA Europe. For her work on LGBTQ rights, she was given the International Women of Courage Award in 2012.
Personal life and education
[edit]She read for a Masters in Youth and Community Studies at the University of Malta.[2] She is gay.[3]
Activism
[edit]By 2010, Calleja was the coordinator of the Malta Gay Rights Movement.[3] In this role, Calleja's work included presenting reports on LGBTQ discrimination to the Social Affairs Committee of the Maltese Parliament.[3] In 2015, she was appointed chairperson of the LGBTI Consultative Council.[4] By 2023, Calleja was the head of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Unit (SOGIGESC).[5]
Within Malta, Calleja has fought for issues such as recognition of same-sex marriage,[3][6] the legalization of same-sex adoption,[3] the rights of gender-nonconforming and trans students,[7] and equal access to IVF.[8] She has called for the banning of conversion therapy[5] and the repeal of a ban preventing gay men from donating blood.[9]
By 2013, she was co-chair of the Executive Board of ILGA Europe, a lesbian and gay advocacy group.[10] In 2014, she spoke publicly in favor of Denmark removing a law which had required transgender people to undergo sterilization before they were legally allowed to change their gender.[11]
Career
[edit]In addition to her work on LGBTQ rights, she is also a senior executive in the public sector in Malta, and has worked in the fields of teaching, drug prevention, training, community development, fundraising, and project management.[2] In 2005, the “School Attendance Improvement” Report, a review of absenteeism from school in Malta, was published; she had been part of the group appointed to write it.[2]
Awards and recognition
[edit]She received a 2012 International Women of Courage Award for her work on human rights.[12][13]
In 2014, Calleja was nominated for the Human Rights Award at the inaugural LGBTI Community Awards in Malta.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Borg, Bertrand (2012-06-12). "Straight talking on gay rights". Times of Malta.
- ^ a b c "Gabi Calleja, Malta". EIGE. Archived from the original on 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2014-09-05.
- ^ a b c d e Vassallo, Raphael (2010-06-06). "Indifferent strokes - Gabi Calleja". MaltaToday.com.mt.
- ^ "MGRM coordinator Gabi Calleja appointed chairperson for LGBTI council". MaltaToday.com.mt. 2015-01-14. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ a b Calleja, Marianna (2023-01-16). "Advertising loophole led to conversion therapy act being violated, Gabi Calleja explains". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ Calleja, Stephen (2017-07-13). "Malta OKs same-sex marriages over Catholic Church protest". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ Reljic, Teodor (2015-02-26). "[WATCH] 'The norm is changing': schools to address needs of transgender students". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ Vella, Matthew (2012-07-31). "IVF law 'inherently homophobic' – gay rights movement". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ Borg, Martina (2015-08-29). "1980s ban on gay blood next taboo in line of fire". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ "U.K. House of Lords Give Final Approval to Marriage Equality". www.advocate.com. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ "ILGA-Europe". ilga-europe.org. Archived from the original on 2014-09-05.
- ^ "U.S. Embassy Presents "International Woman of Courage" Award". Embassy of the United States, Malta. 2012-05-24. Archived from the original on 2014-04-23.
- ^ "Gabi Callaja wins 'International Woman of Courage' award". MaltaToday.com.mt. 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ "Nominees for first LGBTI Community Awards announced". MaltaToday.com.mt. 2014-11-03. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
External links
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