With the EuroPride Valletta 2023 just over 100 days away, the Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg, together with the non-governmental organization Allied Rainbow Communities, on Wednesday announced that the American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera will be a main performer in the activities next September.

Christina Aguilera, winner of six Grammy Awards, is an icon for the LGBTIQ+ community.

"This international singer has never been afraid to show her love for the LGBTIQ+ community and now she has chosen to put her name also in EuroPride Valletta 2023," said the parliamentary secretary.

Christina Aguilera will be giving a concert on the Floriana Pits on September 16, with the entrance being free.

"This is a very exciting time for the LGBTIQ+ community in our country. After whole generations faced long years of painful prejudices, in the last decade Malta has made impressive leaps, with reforms that ensure equality and changes that bring freedom. What's better than Europe choosing the best country within it to host this year's EuroPride. We will be the ones to lead this European pride in favor of love for everyone," said Rebecca Buttigieg.

The parliamentary secretary also announced that Malta will be hosting an international conference on Human Rights for LGBTIQ+ people. Spread over two days, 13 and 14 September, the conference will be providing a platform for academics and experts to explore key issues affecting this community.

The conference will touch on topics ranging from LGBTIQ+ people in sport, the human rights situation in the MENA region, HIV and sexual health, and the role of national action plans in advancing of equality. A number of dignitaries and senior officials are expected to attend and it will serve as an inspiration and networking opportunity for anyone who wants to commit to working harder for a more equal world.

"During this international conference we will have the opportunity to share good practices that have been introduced in our country but we also want to learn from other countries and listen to the knowledge and experiences of people around Europe and beyond," she concluded.

During the news conference the President of the Allied Rainbow Communities Maria Azzopardi and the artistic director of EuroPride Valletta 2023 Toni Attard gave more details about everything that will happen next September.

More details about EuroPride 2023 can be found on https://europride2023.mt/.