Gay pride in Valletta attracted only about 50 people earlier this month, fewer than at the first march four years ago.

Marchers included British Member of the European Parliament David Bowles, Education Minister Louis Galea, Labour MP Evarist Bartolo and Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo.

Malta Gay Rights Movement coordinator Gabriella Calleja told a newspaper that Maltese GLBT people are afraid to come out publicly.

“At the recent pride party there were about 1,000 people or more but here, given the cameras and journalists and in broad daylight, it’s a different story,” she said.