The first Pride March was celebrated this weekend in Gozo, marking a historic day for the LGBTI+ organisation in Gozo.

Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said that just a year ago the ministry was inaugurating a new office which was handed to the LGBTI+ organisation in Gozo, which led to the opening of the Qawsalla Hub in the Gozitan capital city, Victoria.

“We put out the message that we truly believe in equality, representation, and the rights of LGBTIQ+ people. A year after we opened the Qawsalla Hub, history was written with the first Pride March ever held in Gozo. This sends a message of a more open and inclusive society,” Camilleri said.

Camilleri said that government looks forward to more work to continue to be the first among other countries in rights and equality.

In her speech during the march, Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg welcomed the participation of many activists who gathered for the celebration of love and freedom.

“Our participation today is sending a strong message, that while we recognize the great advances we have made, we are committed to continuing to strengthen and introduce more civil rights. I believe that a large part of the success achieved in recent years was due to the fact that each draft was made in consultation with the public and the civil society, and this will continue to be done in the coming years,” Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg said that government will be working on designing a new strategy to continue work to improve the lives of LGBTIQ+.

Coordinator of LGBTI+ Gozo Eman Borg said that during the year 2022 LGBTI+ Gozo continued its work with several sections in a number of schools and other associations as well as organising social activities in the Qawsalla Hub.

In a statement, the Nationalist Party also congratulated LGBTI+ Gozo for its first successful Pride March. It said that 3 September 2022 will remain a historic day for Gozo.

The PN said that the saying for the Pride March, #LiveYourTruth, should be a realisation and message of reality, and not just a slogan.

On the occasion of Pride Week, the PN’s Equal Opportunities Forum, will be organizing an activity called ‘New Spaces - Listen and Discuss.’ This activity will start at 6pm on 6 September and will be held at the PN’s Dar Centrali in Pieta

The program of activities organized for Pride Week can be accessed from the official page www.maltapride.org.