LGBTI+ Gozo aid that it has always welcomed new collaborations with members of the Gozitan community to “uplift the underrepresented and stigmatised.W

The organisation highlighted that they “actively listen to the issues facing the LGBT community in Gozo and work to bring equality, transparency and visibility to the island of Gozo. We are proud to be stakeholders in offering quality services to those in need, regardless of gender or sexuality, but paying special attention to those who are discriminated against in our society.”

Over the weekend LGBTI+ Gozo celebrated its 6th anniversary and also commemorated International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia which was held on the 17th of May. “The news that Malta was placed first for the 6th year running comes to no surprise, but one which we are to reflect on.” it sai.

“The growth that our legal policy in Malta has experienced is a true movement through equity for all,” it said. It is in the spirit of this movement that LGBTI+ Gozo said it keeps on advocating for more intersectional representation in light of asylum seekers, more available and accessible Trans* health care in Malta, and a broader educational campaign.

Last Friday, together with the Human Rights Directorate and SOGIGESC unit within the Ministry for Justice, Equality and Governance, the organisation was a proud witness to the launch of a Diversity campaign across public transport in Gozo.

This campaign was spearheaded by the directorate and promotes LGBTI+ Gozo counselling and support helpline services, reachable at 99356622. The incentive also encourages parents and queer folks alike to access services and join the organisations platform.

The organisation explained that through community outreach and support from government and private entities, we hope to bring together the Gozitan community and facilitate an environment of inclusion and acceptance.

In close collaboration with the Directorate for Integrating Human Rights, LGBTI+ Gozo discussed the need for greater visibility of the LGBT community in Gozo which became apparent during their survey results of 2019.

It explained that the LGBT community is present in Gozo but faces “limited visibility and greater stigma than queer people on our sister island of Malta.”

With this collaboration LGBTI+ Gozo said that it aims to make the community more visible, start conversations in society and raise awareness about various realities that queer people live with every day. These realities cause difficult barriers in health care, work opportunities and general quality of life.

Following the messages received during the pandemic related to isolation, anxiety and other issues that many people have experienced in society at large, LGBTQ+ Gozo said that it feels the need to open up a helpline that offers free counselling sessions from trained and volunteer professionals, and refer members of the community to queer friendly services, limiting stigmatism and uplifting allies and community members alike.

LGBTI+ Gozo has also compiled a directory of Queer friendly professionals where people in Gozo can look for professionals who offer a service that does not discriminate, regardless of the sexual orientation or gender identity of that person.

Through this campaign, LGBTI+ Gozo said that it hopes that the Gozitan community recognises that love knows no gender and every person is equal in our community.

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