Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/691413
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 12 JUNE 2016 2 MATTHEW AGIUS GLITTER, colours and costumes dazzled Valletta yesterday as the gay community kicked off its cel- ebrations of pride week. In the first of a series of activi- ties, citizens walked along Valletta streets to mark the event, calling for "full equality", as electronic beats resonated through the an- cient streets. The good-natured march down Republic Street was a celebration of all things LGBT, led by two burly bikers sporting matching handlebar moustaches. Rainbow flags, rainbow-coloured balloons and floats bedecked with pride- related symbols followed, as did a similarly decorated double decker bus. The floats were accompanied by a 300-strong crowd, some waving banners bearing slogans. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Opposi- tion leader Simon Busuttil, Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli, AD chairman Arnold Cassola and PN MP Claudette Buttigieg were also in attendance, as were Movi- ment Graffitti, who highlighted the importance of working for an inclusive society, free from op- pression. In a statement released before the march, Graffitti argued for more education in order to fight discrimination. "Over the past years, our country has seen posi- tive and important changes with regard to laws that have a direct impact on LGBTIQ persons. However, many are increasingly feeling the urgent need for more real and practical changes in soci- ety. LGBTIQ persons still face dif- ferent forms of discrimination in everyday life – within the family, at school, at work, during enter- tainment activities." Silvan Agius, director of the Hu- man Rights and Integration Com- mission later addressed the gath- ering at la Vallette Square. While recognising the great strides Malta has made in the civil and gay rights sector, he said there was still more work to do, especially regarding marriage equality and the avail- ability of IVF to lesbian couples. Progress was still required, espe- cially with respect to the legisla- tive aspect, Agius said. "The time has come for same sex marriage to be introduced." To cheers from the crowd, Agius recalled that LGBTIQ was formed 15 years ago, in an unhelpful so- cio-political atmosphere, but said that their perseverance had borne fruit. Agius hoped to see "full equality for all," in the future, he said. Graffitti also urged the Maltese government to provide the neces- sary resources for the function- ing of the planned Gender Clinic, which it described as "pivotal for the wellbeing of trans persons, es- pecially for those who do not have the financial means to access the costly services of private clinics." With the political statements out of the way, it was time for the crowd to party – and party they did, first with Eurovision diva Chiara performing "What if we" to rapturous applause, followed by a DJ set by former Britain's Got Tal- ent and the voice of UK contestant Divina De Campo. News Pride week activity enlivens Valletta streets PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MANGION