Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jason Davis opening the event  Full Size

On the evening of Friday June 26, the U.S. Embassy collaborated with the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month.  Over 80 participants, including MGRM members and interested people from the general public, attended the event.  The head of the MGRM, Ms. Gabi Calleja, and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jason Davis opened the event with remarks on the significance of the Stonewall anniversary.  This was followed by a screening of the movie “Milk,” which chronicles the life of San Francisco politician and gay rights activist Harvey Milk.

The highlight of the event was a digital videoconference with U.S. gay rights activist Elaine Noble.  Ms. Noble spoke eloquently about her personal experiences as the first openly gay candidate to be elected to a state-level office, as well as her personal recollections of Harvey Milk, who she knew and worked with. The audience asked Ms. Noble many questions on the gay rights movement in the U.S. and commented on the situation in Malta.  Ms. Noble not only answered all their questions but also gave tips and ideas to help MGRM.

Ms. Calleja said that MGRM received several positive comments about the event from people who participated and she said that she looked forward to future collaboration between MGRM and the Embassy.