editorial@di-ve.com
30 June 2012
The annual LGBT Pride March was held for the first time in Sliema.
The march, which celebrates gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and other orientations, has been held annually in Malta since 2006, but this is the first time it has left the capital city.
“We chose Sliema because everyone is more open here,” David Debono from the Malta Gay Rights Movement told di-ve.com.
Indeed, the congregation this year seems to be younger and more lively than in previous occasions, with brightly-coloured balloons and flags marking out the crowd near Surfside, which went on to march to St Anne’s Square.
Mr Debono said that reactions to the march had been wholly positive, with many curious by-standers stopping to ask what was going on and congratulating the initiative.
“We feel that it’s important to raise awareness about the inequalities gay people face, as well as celebrate our presence instead of hiding. We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it.”
Among those who are attending are Justice Minister Chris Said, MPs from both sides and the US Ambassador Gina Abercombie-Winstanley.
AD’s Chairman Michael Briguglio said that Alternattiva Demokratika supported the calls of the LGBT community for equality in all aspects of social policy.
“We salute LGBT activists for standing up to be counted for equal rights. AD is the only party with clear policies on LGBT rights, and our upcoming electoral manifesto will confirm this. As chairperson of the Green Party, I believe that equality is a key issue for progressive politics, irrespective of one's sexual orientation.”
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