HIV Activists, Parents And A Mayor: Here Are Mvintage’s 2022 Pride Heroes
Malta’s Pride Heroes of 2022 have been revealed and they’re the perfect mix of activists and every day people working tirelessly for the LGBTIQ+ community.
“We believe that empowerment is contagious, and Pride Month is an important time to empower each other and celebrate how far the community has come to earn a journey of equality,” Mvintage, which hosted the awards with Allied Rainbow Communities, said.
Malta’s Pride Heroes were announced during a ceremony on the opening night of Malta Pride Week on 2nd September and were determined by public vote.
The winners were awarded a True Colours pendant which was created with the sole purpose of empowering the LGBTIQ+ community to “never be afraid to show their true colours to the world”, along with a voucher to the jewellery store.
These are 2022’s Pride Heroes:
Owen Cachia:
Being the first openly gay officer within the Malta Medical Student organisation,Owen has tirelessly worked to try improve healthcare for LGBTIQ+ individuals.
He’s hosted LGBTIQ+ workshops for future healthcare workers to be more sensitive not just to their LGBTIQ+ patients, but also to their colleagues.
Owen even managed to collect donations for HIV Malta during World Aids Day while working incessantly on a campaign to secure free HIV testing for LGBTIQ+ individuals, something which is currently quite inaccessible in Malta.
Colette Farrugia Bennett:
Collette works with gender variant youths and their families through the Rainbow Support Service and Gender Well-being Clinic. She’s a firm believer in promoting an LGBTIQ+ affirmative approach amongst psycho/social professionals.
Josef Masini Vento:
As a notary and mayor, Josef was among the individuals to draft inclusive legislation. He also offers trans people gender-affirming legal services.
Nicole Marie Park:
Nicole raises awareness for LGBTIW+ and disability in the local context by devising a targeted social media campaign by CRPD which is set to be published during this year’s Pride Week. The campaign will shed a spotlight on real and raw experiences.
Chris Vincent Jung:
Chris constantly strives to raise HIV awareness, including forming a part of the cast of Live Fit-Teatru: IL-Pozittivi-Dramm Komiku. He is also insanely dedicated to getting an improved medical standard for HIV in Malta with Check Point Malta.
Lovin Malta has already teamed up with Vincent back in 2019 to break the HIV stigma through giving out free hugs in the streets of Valletta.
Elaine Micallef Avallone:
Elaine works consistently to support parents within the LGBTIQ+ community. As a foster and adoptive parent, she raises important awareness within the community on parenting issues.
Joe Grima:
Joe has been an instrumental part in helping the situation of HIV/AIDS on the island. He has worked with the HIV+ community during COVID-19 lockdowns and beyond and headed HIV Malta.
He even made medication accessible for individuals in lockdown, unable to go out and fetch it themselves.
Margo and Johan Micallef :
Johan and Margo are parents who are actively involved in the Scouts movement. Through a number of exchanges and initiatives, they are raising more awareness and education about LGBTIQ+ issues and creating more inclusive and safe spaces.
Well done to everyone!
Did you vote in the Mvintage Pride Awards?
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