The elaborate celebrations held on Monday night at St George’s Square in Valletta cost an estimated €40,000, but neither the Malta Gay Rights Movement, nor the government, has admitted to footing the bill.

Gabi Calleja, MGRM’s coordinator, called the event a “joint effort” between the government and the gay community.

St George’s Square was turned into a mini-concert venue, complete with a stage, sound-system and professional lighting. The event was held in order to celebrate the enactment of the civil unions’ bill in Parliament

Asked if the government funded the event, a cagey Ms Calleja said “let’s say it was shared.”  Ms Calleja said that some items were provided by donations from the gay community. Asked for an example, Ms Calleja said “the cake.”

The MGRM coordinator said that she worked closely with Cyrus Engerer in organising the event. Mr Engerer, an MEP candidate and gay rights activist, also works as a consultant to the civil liberties ministry.

The MGRM also sits on the LGBT consultative council, which is chaired by Mr Engerer.

Sources in the entertainment industry told The Malta Independent that if the government paid the full commercial rate for all the equipment in St George’s Square, it will be facing a bill of around €40,000.

 On the MGRM website, the event was said to be supported by LGBT Labour, We Are – The University of Malta LGBT society, Drachma Malta LGBT, Drachma Parents’ Group – Malta, aditus foundation, AD- LGBT.

No mention of ‘government of Malta’ was made in this same section.

Unless the gay rights movement found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the MGRM carrying the full cost of the event alone is unrealistic.

The Malta Independent asked the Civil Liberties Ministry two questions:

Can you tell me how much the government paid for yesterday’s celebrations at St George’s Square? Was this funded by taxpayers or third party donors?

A spokesperson for the ministry replied by saying “the activity was organised by MGRM and not by the government.”

A follow-up question was sent to the ministry, asking for confirmation that no government funds were used for the event, to which the reply was “exactly.”