Is the word ‘gay’ offensive? We ask people in Mellieħa

Magistrate Carol Peralta’s decision to hand Alan Gauci from Mellieħa a conditional discharge after he ran over Australian Jeremy Lalic for making a gay jibe was regarded as lenient by many. Yet, the most critical comments were propelled by the magistrate’s reasoning in his judgment. According to Magistrate Peralta, the conditional discharge was appropriate given the “mentality” of Mellieħa residents who considered such an insult “unacceptable”. The Times took to the streets of Mellieħa tofind out whether the locals consider the word gay offensive, whether it is more so in Mellieħaas opposed to other localities and whether one is somewhat justified to run a person over for being called gay. Eugene Galea, 53, from Guardamangia Calling someone gay is definitely offensive, whether that person hails from Mellieħa, Gozo or Marsaxlokk. It’s definitely not justifiable to run someone over with a car just because he calls me gay. However, even though I’m not gay, I wouldn’t like it if someone calls me gay. I’m not against gays but one shouldn’t point an accusing finger at others. Everyone has a defect in life. Mind you, I’m not saying that being gay is a defect but you still shouldn’t point...