About Us

Gay FlagThe Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) was set up in June of 2001. It is run by a committee of volunteers that is elected annually at a statutory annual general meeting.

Mission

MGRM is a socio-political non-governmental organisation which has as its central focus the challenges and rights of the Maltese lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Aims and objectives

  • To educate society with a view to challenge myths and common misconceptions about different sexual orientations;
  • To identify, address and prevent acts of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation;
  • To act as a lobby group promoting legislative changes to achieve equality for gays and lesbians within society;
  • To provide support services for gays, lesbians, their families and friends;
  • To provide information on gay and lesbian issues;
  • To set up and run an information centre for the general public on gay and lesbian issues;
  • To ensure an active presence in society by networking with government and non-governmental organisations.

The organisation takes a gay affirmative approach which values homosexuality, bisexuality and heterosexuality equally as natural and normal attributes. Gay affirmative practitioners are those whose beliefs and values appreciate homosexuality and bisexuality as valid and rich orientations in their own right, and who perceive homophobia, not diverse sexualities, as pathological.

Activities

MGRM offers various support services to individuals as well as their families and friends who are encountering difficulties relating to their sexuality or same sex-relationships. These include the National Gay Helpline, face-to-face meetings and on-line support. This office is also responsible for delivering talks and training to raise awareness on LGBT issues among professional bodies, employers and the general public.

MGRM publishes its own monthly e-newsletter, Alegre, which is sent to members and aims to inform on MGRM’s projects and campaigns as well as on what is happening internationally. MGRM also has its own website which is currently being upgraded. MGRM also writes letters to newspapers and issues press releases on various LGBT events and issues throughout the year as well as participating in TV and radio programmes.

Since its inception, MGRM focused on the correct transposition of the European Union (EU) Directive, Council Directive 2000/78/EC within the Employment and Industrial Relations Act. This process has finally been concluded. In October of 2007, MGRM launched a petition to gather support for LGBT rights prior to the General Elections that were held in March 2008. Over 1,000 signatures were collected. Research on Transgender issues is also currently underway through ESF funding. Other research currently being carried out is a survey on LGBT discrimination in Malta. MGRM also hopes to conduct a survey on homophobic bullying in schools in the near future.

The International Office networks with other organisations and entities on an international level. MGRM delegates attend conferences and seminars which focus on LGBT, women, youth, and social exclusion. These include seminars and study sessions organised by the International Gay Lesbian Youth Organisation, Council of Europe, Youth Express Network, Women From Minorities, Erice, ILGA – Europe, British Council and the European Commission. Such opportunities help us to build networks with other organisations, provide opportunities for training of volunteers and are also a means of information sharing. MGRM will be hosting the ILGA-Europe 2009 annual conference and this will certainly take up much of our time and energy in the coming year.

Events and activities are organised regularly to reach out to the LGBT community but also as a way of fund-raising. Parties and cultural events – such as art exhibitions, a film festival, forum theatre and music festival – are amongst the activities held annually as part of Diverscity Week which also included the Pride March. Other activities include Pink Sundays which are monthly social events aimed at the LGBT community and which provide an alternative to parties and clubs.

To become a member, kindly go to our membership page.

To contact us: mgrm@maltagayrights.org.