Early Days (Pre-2000s)

• Until 1973, homosexuality was criminalised in Malta under colonial-era laws.
• Even after decriminalisation, LGBTQ+ people faced heavy stigma, little visibility, and no legal protections.

2000s: The First Pride Events

• The first Pride March in Malta took place in 2004, organised by the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM). It was a small, quiet event compared to today’s colourful celebrations, with a stronger focus on protest and visibility.
• Around this time, there was no recognition of same-sex couples and minimal public support for LGBTQ+ rights.

2010–2015: Legal Breakthroughs

• 2014: Malta introduced civil unions with adoption rights, one of the first major leaps forward for LGBTQ+ equality.
• 2015: The Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act was passed, considered one of the world’s most progressive trans rights laws, giving people the right to self-identify their gender legally.

2017: Marriage Equality

• Malta legalised same-sex marriage in July 2017, with then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat stating it was a “clear message of equality.”
• This placed Malta firmly among the most LGBTQ+ progressive countries in Europe.

2018–2020: Rising Global Recognition

• Malta was ranked first in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights by ILGA-Europe (and has stayed at the top since).
• Conversion therapy was banned, further cementing Malta as a leader in queer rights.
• Pride celebrations grew from small marches into major national events with floats, concerts, and thousands of attendees.

2020s: Pride as a National Celebration

• Pride Malta has become one of the country’s largest annual cultural events, with the government, businesses, and NGOs taking part.
• The event now spans a whole week (or more) of activities, including parades, concerts, conferences, and community-building initiatives.
• In 2023, Valletta hosted EuroPride, bringing tens of thousands of people from across Europe to Malta for one of the continent’s largest LGBTQ+ events.

Today:

• Malta is considered a global leader in LGBTQ+ equality, praised for its legal protections, inclusive policies, and visible Pride celebrations.
• Pride remains both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the ongoing need to fight stigma, particularly for trans, non-binary, and queer migrants in Malta.

From a country that once criminalised homosexuality, Malta has transformed into a global symbol of LGBTQ+ rights, with Pride at the heart of that journey.

Did you know all this?