‘Let This Serve As A Reminder’: ARC Urges Community To ‘Stay Vigilant And United’ After Valletta Pride Poster Vandalism
After a poster of a EuroPride 2023 event was vandalised a mere three days before the official opening ceremony, one of the event’s main organisers has issued a strong statement reminding members of the islands’ queer community just how important the upcoming festivities are in the face of all this.
“We are shocked and saddened by the recent act of vandalism that occurred in Valletta on a banner advertising Heritage Malta’s EuroPride Valletta 2023 exhibition ‘[Be]Loved Malta: Stories of sexual and gender identity’,” a statement issued by ARC – Allied Rainbow Communities said following photos of the poster going viral.
“This act of vandalism, which occurred in broad daylight is a clear example of how those who serve to hurt the LGBTIQ+ community feel comfortable causing harm,” ARC continued.
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“Let this serve as a reminder for our community to stay vigilant and united in the face of growing hatred towards a community whose sole purpose is to spread love, for each other, for our community and for ourselves.”
A number of members of the LGBTIQ+ community and its allies have already reacted to the act of vandalism, strongly condemning it and saying it’s direct proof of why an event like Pride is “still necessary and important in 2023.”
EuroPride 2023 officially kicks off this Thursday with a grand ceremony in Valletta, with 2018 Eurovision Song Contest winner Netta set to perform at Triton Square.
What do you make of this latest development?
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