On our front page today, we celebrate individuality. We are sure that the four Maltese ladies we put on our front page will take it as it is meant, a tribute to all those who have suffered discrimination, oppression and ridicule for who they are and who they want to be.
The montage is obviously inspired by Austrian Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst – the bearded lady. Wurst’s real name is Thomas Neuwirth – a 25 year old singer who had previously tried to find fame in a boy band, minus the beard.
In the various interviews she (she’s in character) has given to the press, she tells of her long battle to come to terms with how she felt and how she wanted to dress and be seen. Conchita tells the worlds media that at first, she could only find solace in the attic of her family home in Austria. Little by little, Conchita began to come out of her shell, first at home, then out in public.
The more people tried to detract from her, the more following she got and continues to get, and this is why we chose to celebrate her achievement and her uniqueness on our front page and in this leading article.
We celebrate it, because it is not about drag queens and gay people or lesbians. It is about people being free to be who they want to be, so long as they are not causing actual harm to anyone. We also have to say that uniqueness, as long as it is a free choice and harmless, should also be above the law. The anti-gay propaganda laws in Russia are an example in question. When Conchita was asked if she wanted to pass on a message to Russian PM Vladimir Putin (in the wake of derogatory comments made by a Russian Minister) she said simply: “We are unstoppable, we are unity.”And how right she is. This leading article goes out to all those people who might feel stared at or put down because they want to wear one red sock and one blue one, those people who do not conform with religious norms, those who prefer their own gender as a mate, those who want body art, those who wear different clothes, those who change their gender and many, many others.
Things have improved dramatically over the years in Malta, but we still lag behind. Our laws, largely thanks to this labour government have been updated and continue to do so to try and remove stigmas that surround those who dare to be different. Be yourself, and be proud of it. As long as you are not causing anyone harm through your actions, then be free.