MGRM calls for justice and accountability at Malta Pride 2026
The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) used its address at Malta Pride 2026 to call for greater accountability from politicians, justice for marginalised communities, and continued resistance against discrimination affecting LGBTQ+ people and other vulnerable groups.
Delivering the organisation’s speech, MGRM representative Dali Aguerbi reminded those gathered that Pride is rooted not only in celebration, but also in protest and resistance.
“Today we celebrate Pride. We celebrate our identities and our rights. But we also protest,” Aguerbi said, recalling the historic struggles and sacrifices that paved the way for the freedoms enjoyed by LGBTQ+ communities today.
The speech emphasised that Pride must remain connected to its history and should not be reduced to symbolic displays of inclusion. Aguerbi stressed that the LGBTQ+ community would not assimilate into a heteronormative society or allow past injustices to be forgotten.
While acknowledging the progress made, MGRM argued that significant work remains unfinished.
One of the strongest messages of the speech was directed at politicians participating in Pride celebrations.
Aguerbi criticised the use of Pride flags and participation in marches as symbolic gestures without corresponding political action.
“Holding a Pride flag is not a photo opportunity. It is a commitment,” the speech stated, calling on political leaders to demonstrate principles through concrete policies rather than what it described as pinkwashing.
The organisation also raised concerns about Malta’s treatment of LGBTQ+ migrants and asylum seekers, particularly those held in detention centres or facing deportation to countries where their sexual orientation or gender identity may be criminalised.
“How can you march with us and smile, while knowing that members of our communities sit in detention centres?” Aguerbi asked.
The speech highlighted the growing challenges surrounding asylum and migration, arguing that political leaders cannot claim solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities while ignoring the experiences of queer people facing detention, deportation, and persecution.
MGRM’s message extended beyond LGBTQ+ rights to broader questions of justice and equality in Malta.
The organisation called for a functional justice system and demanded answers in cases including the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the death of Sion Grech, and the killing of Lassana Cisse.
Aguerbi also drew attention to community members living in Malta without clear legalisation pathways, leaving some at risk of deportation despite having spent decades building their lives in the country.
The speech argued that Pride must recognise the interconnected struggles faced by different communities and called for intersectional laws that protect those most vulnerable.
Among MGRM’s demands are inclusive healthcare and education systems, as well as equal access to housing and employment.
Concluding the address, Aguerbi repeated a message delivered by MGRM the previous year: Pride must be about more than visibility.
“Pride is not just about visibility; it is about justice. Pride is not just about us; it is about all of us.”
The organisation urged those celebrating Pride to remember those who remain excluded, detained, discriminated against, or at risk of violence.
“We cannot accept comfort while others face violence. We cannot claim freedom while others remain in chains,” the speech concluded.
Minister for Equality and Civil Rights Rosianne Cutajar also attended the Pride March in Valletta, the Ministry of Equality and Civil Rights said in a statement.
Pride is rooted in the struggle for the visibility, rights, and equality of LGBTIQ+ individuals, the Ministry said. The first Pride March in Malta took place in 2004, and since then, it has grown into a national event that brings together thousands of people.
Cutajar emphasised the government’s continued commitment to building a society where every individual can live with dignity, respect, and authenticity, free from discrimination and exclusion.
Cutajar noted that although Malta has made significant strides in the areas of human rights and equality, there are still individuals who face prejudice, fear, or exclusion. She affirmed that the government will continue working to ensure that everyone – regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status – fully enjoys their rights, has equal access to opportunities, and feels safe within their community. Pride remains important not only as a celebration of the achievements made over the years but also as an opportunity to continue raising awareness about the realities still faced by LGBTIQ+ individuals. It is also a moment that reminds us of our collective responsibility to continue strengthening respect, inclusion, and equality within our society.
“Respect, inclusion, and equality are not messages for just one week, but a commitment that guides us throughout the entire year. We are committed to continuing our work towards a fairer, more equal, and more united Malta – a place where everyone can love whom they choose, freely express their identity, live with dignity, and contribute to society without being hindered by prejudice and discrimination,” Cutajar said.
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