Wednesday 21 July 2010

Times: High Commission flies the flag for Gay Pride Week

The British High Commission is displaying a gay pride flag in the lobby of its offices for the duration of Pride Week, as a symbol of support for the equality cause, the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) said.

Representatives of the MGRM earlier today had a meeting with British High Commissioner Louise Stanton and the Dutch Ambassador Robbert Gabriëlse in connection with MGRM's Pride Week which is being held this week.

The theme of this year's Pride Week is 'Rights Now!'

"This theme clearly indicates the pressing need of awarding LGBT individuals and the family units that they form, rights which are equal to those of other family units. It also calls for anti-discrimination measures to be adopted across the board in other matters too, such as in access to goods and services," the movement said.

Ms Stanton said: "Only with respect, dignity and equality for all will we reach our full potential as human beings, individually and collectively. I applaud MGRM's work to address the inequalities in society, and I hope that wider support and education will help us to realise this vision."

This is the second successive year that the British High Commission is displaying a gay pride flag in the lobby of its offices.

Mr Gabriëlse expressed his support and solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Malta. He praised the Maltese authorities and the Malta Gay Rights Movement for successfully hosting the 13th annual conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association Europe (ILGA-Europe) in October 2009, and recalled the excellent opening speech by the former Speaker of the House Louis Galea.

MGRM's Pride Week continues tomorrow (Thursday) with the screening of the film 'Little Ashes', at St James Cavalier at 9 pm. The annual Pride March will be held on Saturday at 10:30am in Valletta. Local and international singers will perform before and after the march.

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on the Times' website.]

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