Update on Plans for Malta Pride Week: 10th – 19th September 2021

Updated: Friday, 13th August 2021, 12pm CET

Dear Members of the LGBTQ+ Community, Allies & Supporters,

After many months of standing by, and hoping things would improve by now, it seems that COVID is here to stay for a bit longer. Whilst we applaud the efforts of Public Health authorities to drive the uptake of the COVID Vaccine and for the mitigation measures put in place, we are not out of the woods yet.

As organizers of a mass event that attracts National attention, we are aware of the responsibility to contain the spread and will continue to abide by the regulations in force. For this reason, we are announcing that the Pride March that was scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 18th, 2021 will not be held.

Nevertheless, we are coordinating with other entities and LGBTIQ organizations to hold a series of events and initiatives throughout Malta Pride Week that comply with COVID rules.

Malta Pride Week will take place between the 10th and 19th September (both days included). As an overview of what events are to be expected, these include:

• A collective exhibition entitled “REFRACTION” showcasing the works of international and local queer artists at Spazju Kreattiv (Valletta) including a short film festival in collaboration with Soura Film Festival (Berlin) which will run from the 10th September up to 24th October 2021, organized by Allied Rainbow Communities under the Curatorship of Bobb Attard;

• A week-long exhibition by the Malta LGBTQ Rights Movement entitled “20 Years of Trailblazing” at Desko Art Studio which will be launched on Sunday 12th September;

• A Symbolic Demonstration with the Malta Pride Flag in 6 Different locations which will be announced at a later stage;

• An online Human Rights Conference hosted by the Human Rights Directorate;

• A number of social gatherings and meetups throughout the week organized by various entities;

• Community Discussions;

• The Malta Pride Concert which will be held at Argotti Gardens, Floriana with a limited seating capacity on Saturday 18th September and live streamed via various social media channels.

All the information about the events, any changes and updates will be regularly posted on our website www.maltapride.org.

Our theme for this year will be #YouAreIncluded. The theme reminds us that ensuring Equality for everyone is not a one-size-fits-all approach and that while much has been achieved by the LGBTIQ movement and we are more visible in all sectors of society, there are still members of our communities whose identities and experiences are not understood, seen, or validated.

We encourage the LGBTIQ community & allies in Malta and those visiting to participate in these events and promote the cause. Considering the difficult year most of us experienced, we are deeply appreciative that support still came through to make these events possible. We want to take the opportunity to mention and thank this year’s partners who already confirmed their support:

HSBC

Ministry for Equality, Research & Innovation

Spazju Kreattiv

Pokerstars

Farsons Group

Deloitte Foundation

89.7 Bay

Casumo

Boston Link

Yours truly,

Clayton Mercieca

Obo of the Team

Allied Rainbow Communities