Pride month is a time to reflect on the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community, Moviment Graffitti has said.

"The Pride march, which is the culmination of activities during Pride week, for us is not just a colourful celebration but a political manifestation. We have been participating in the Pride march from the very beginning, 20 years ago. Since then, in Malta, we have seen a lot of progress where legislation and policies protecting the LGBTIQ+ community are concerned. However, this does not mean that there is only place for celebration and no place for political action."

The Gender Wellbeing clinic in Paola has not been functioning as it should, for more than a year, the NGO said. "There is a long waiting list for new cases to be considered to start their gender transitioning process. The clinic is running without a psychiatrist at the moment since the only psychiatrist who used to work at the clinic is no longer available. Many young people who have been waiting for the service have had to resort to private healthcare since the state service has left them waiting and they felt they could not wait anymore to start the process of affirming their gender identity."

Another issue that has been neglected by the Government, despite its electoral promise, is the provision of free PrEP and PEP from hospital, Moviment Graffitti said.

"Despite, having one of the highest rates of HIV diagnoses in Europe, the Maltese healthcare system has still not invested in the prevention of HIV infection. Therefore, those who are at risk of HIV infection and can afford it, have to buy the medicine themselves. Those who do not, risk contracting the virus and further spreading it in the community."

"Malta occupies the top position in LGBTIQ+ rights in Europe, yet LGBTIQ migrants do not feel included or safe in our country. LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers face illegal detention and risk to be deported because they cannot prove their sexual orientation. Malta considers eight of the countries that criminalise homosexuality as safe, putting LGBTIQ+ migrants at risk of having their application for asylum rejected. If they are sent back to these countries, they can face years of imprisonment. LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers are not safe living in detention centres, risking discrimination and stigma as well as their safety."

LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers and asylum seekers with HIV face double discrimination and abuse since they are not separated at initial reception centre, the NGO said. "In addition, accessing essential services, including life-saving antiretroviral therapy and gender-affirming health care services that include continuation of hormonal treatment is very difficult, if not impossible. This is an essential healthcare service for transgender and nonbinary people as well as for people with HIV."

Moviment Graffitti said that it would be proud of being in the top position on the LGBTIQ+ index when the rights of the whole LGBTIQ+ community are protected. "It calls on the authorities to take the opportunity to act in favour of the LGBTIQ+ community not just march with them."