The Pride 2018 parade is in full swing in Valletta, as members of the LGBTIQ+ community, as well as equality advocates and supporters take to the streets in celebration.

In a previous interview with this newsroom, Clayton Mercieca, from Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC), the organisers of Pride Week Malta, explained that while Malta ranks first amongst the EU countries with regards LGBT rights, he believes pride week is still important because what is in legislation and what is lived on a day-to-day basis is two realities that coexist.

Pride week is an occasion to bring the LGBT community together whilst also being a social and political tool rather than a celebration. "There is a lot to celebrate but it still remains a platform for visibility that the LGBT community as a demographic exists, matters, but also has issues."

Although there are gay bars and parties these might attract a small percentage of the LGBT community. ARC organises events throughout the year which aim to attract a different type of crowd from the same community. One such event is football tournaments which tend to attract transgender men. This is one way of getting to know people and learning about their experiences.

Pride week is covering a whole set of events that might attract a different kind of people and also an opportunity to highlight the issues that are important to the LGBT community. Clayton who himself has recently become a father says that pride week will also be an opportunity to bring other rainbow families together.