MGRM Condemns PN MP Conrad Borg Manche’s ‘Misleading Pride Statements’

Local LGBTIQ+ NGO MGRM issued a statement refuting and condemning the ‘misleading statements made by Nationalist Party MP Conrad Borg Manche’ in a recent MaltaToday interview.

In the interview, Borg Manche ‘falsely claimed that heads of organisations like MGRM agreed with his anti-equality rhetoric’.

‘Listen, I had said that with these kinds of events (the queer community) are showing how unequal they are’, he was quoted in saying.

‘You are showing how different you are, and there were heads of organisations like MGRM that agreed with me’, he added.

‘We do not, and have never, agreed with any statements that undermine, diminish or oppose Pride initiatives’, MGRM said.

‘While in the past, notably during EuroPride, we have criticised elements of over commercialisation, pink washing, and the heavy focus on the celebratory aspect over the community’s political messaging, MGRM still fiercely defends and acknowledges that Pride is also a celebration of queer joy and resilience.’

‘If MGRM were opposed to Pride events’, they added, ‘we would not actively organise safe spaces for the LGBTIQ+ community, coordinate activities during Malta Pride Week , or march proudly in the streets.’

They added that Pride is, and must always remain, fundamentally political as Malta still lacks unfulfilled social acceptance on the ground despite historic legislative milestones on paper.

MGRM quoted statistics showing that a quarter of LGBTIQ+ individuals in Malta avoid certain areas out of fear of physical assault, whereas 59% experience harassment, which tracks higher than the EU average of 54%.

‘Finally, we would like to note that Mr. Borg Manche’s divisive rhetoric heavily contradicts the strong LGBTIQ+ inclusion proposals outlined in the PN’s own manifesto, which he claimed to not be fully aware of.’

#MaltaDaily