It's estimated that around 250 people from the Malta Gay Rights Movement marched yesterday under the read hot sun on the tiny Island for the Pride march, part of their 2010 Pride Week. The marchers braved the heat to call for equal recognition, the main theme being 'Right Now!
The ‘Rights Now!’ is a call for politicians and policy makers to the recognition of give the island's LGBT community equal rights, which cannot be postponed any longer.
Their was a party atmosphere, as the sounds of horns and whistles filled the air and the marchers too to the streets, the local media reported.
The march was officially opened by singers Chiara and Muxu who sung the song ‘Believe'.
Gabi Calleja, coordinator of the MGRM said that this pride march forms part of the Euro Pride, which will take place today at noon in Warsaw. “In itself, this event commemorates the times when gay people had to hide and this march is a statement,” she said.
Calleja said that in around 80 countries around the world, being gay is seen as a criminal act. Asked by MaltaToday what the priorities for the MGRM are today, Calleja said the legal recognition of couples of the same sex is always on top of the agenda. “However, we are also stressing on the importance of transgender rights. They should not be forced to surgically change their sex to be recognized as the other sex,” adding at the same time that access to such surgery should be made easier.
An English activist who came to Malta to support the pride march, said that she was here to help raise awareness in Malta about LGBT rights: “we are normal people just as everyone and we deserve equal rights.” The activist advised that Maltese gays should feel comfortable about who they are, whilst encouraging them to “come out”.
Malta is a pretty little rocky Island, with an area of just 121 miles, sits snugly in the southern most part of Mediterranean, not far off the coast of north Africa. Malta has been by Great Britain for many hundreds of years and the Islands only really took their Independence in 1964. I've been lucky enough to have explored the islands a couple of times over the years and each time, found the locals to be incredibly, warm, hospitable and friendly. Whilst religion and family plays an important part in Maltese society, they are still accepting of homosexuality, which was legalized in 1973. Gay people are protected in employment law and are also allowed to serve openly in the military. For more details see the MGRM website.
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