EuroPride Valletta 2023 celebrations extended to Gozo, where on Saturday, the second ever Pride march took place, followed by a concert featuring various local singers took place. Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri and Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg attended this march and addressed those present.
Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri stated that this celebration of love, diversity, and equality marks a significant moment in the history of Gozo and Malta within the realm of social rights. This comes after remarkable progress made by our country, placing it at the forefront of LGBTIQ+ rights worldwide. Minister Camilleri recalled, “Two years ago, we inaugurated the Qawsalla Hub, a new office in the heart of Victoria City, which the Ministry for Gozo handed over to the LGBTIQ+ organisation GOZO. A year ago, we made history by hosting the first-ever Pride March in Gozo, and today, we take pride in welcoming thousands of foreigners, Maltese, and Gozitans for the EuroPride Valletta 2023 Gozo Pride March. All of this serves as evidence of how central the field of equality is to the policies of this Government.” The minister concluded by emphasising that while we celebrate our progress and achievements, we must continue to look forward to maintaining the journey toward a more inclusive world and an equitable future for all.
In her remarks just before the concert, Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg stated that participation in these events sends a powerful message that both Malta and Gozo take pride in the progress made in recent years and are determined to strengthen these achievements with further reforms in favour of more civil rights. While expressing gratitude to the participants, the parliamentary secretary emphasised the collective effort being made to build a society that upholds the values of equality, which are rightfully owed to our children.
“Equality does not mean just tolerance where one merely accepts that a person is different. Equality means much more because it is a way of fostering a society that believes in an inclusive community, one that is devoid of prejudice, discrimination, and animosity, and characterised by mutual respect,” stated Rebecca Buttigieg.
Meanwhile, present at this celebration was also Catherine Camilleri, Co-Ordinator of LGBTI+ Gozo, who expressed pride in commemorating the 2nd annual Gozo Pride March, considering it a distinct honour to serve as representatives of the LGBTIQ+ community in Gozo. Emphasising the core values of compassion and the inherent beauty of acceptance, Camilleri highlighted the importance of these principles in a collective journey of the LGBTIQ+ community.