Pride in Malta is celebrated in September, with several events and activities being hosted around the island to celebrate the LGBTI+ community. Organisations, such as KNŻ and LGBTI+ Gozo spent the entirety of the month advocating for LGBTI+ rights, sharing informative posts and information, and holding fun events for people to join!
KNŻ’s Pride Activities
Apart from having a fun set up at Malta’s pride march with a glitter station, photo frames, and a giveaway, KNŻ advocated for gay and bisexual men to be able to donate blood. Gay and bisexual men were legally prevented from donating blood, however, this ban was lifted on September 2, 2022.
KNŻ took to their social media to express their approval:
KNŻ welcomes the government’s decision to finally lift the one-year deferral period imposed on MSM blood donations. Starting today, gay and bisexual men who have been in a monogamous sexual relationship for four months prior to the donation will be able to give blood without any discrimination.
They went on to state that “this is a step forward towards full equality for the LGBTIQ+ community”, something that the organisation will always support.
KNŻ’s Director for Health, Owen Cachia, oversaw the campaign about sexual health, where KNŻ, in collaboration with Nerve Malta, handed out tote bags filled with a free HIV self testing kit, as well as informational material related to sexual health at their stand during Malta’s pride parade.
LGBTI+ Gozo’s Pride Activities
The organisation made history with hosting Gozo’s first ever pride march! KNŻ, The Third Eye, and several other organisations were all present during this historic moment as members of the community took to the streets of Gozo with colourful outfits and banners to show their pride.
LGBTI+ Gozo’s work continues as they are launching a publication of poems and prose:
From coming out to familial acceptance, stigma, representation and pride, we hope to showcase the nuances of being a LGBTI+ person in Gozo and represent our community’s struggles to uphold values of love, diversity and truth.
The organisation encourages LGBTI+ Gozitans to submit their creative work here by November 13.