10 June 2017
07 June 2017
Rainbow flag used during IDAHO 2017 - DRACHMA STATEMENT
On May 17th, Drachma
held a prayer vigil, as it does every year, to commemorate all victims of
homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. This worldwide event largely escapes the
attention of the media, but it has
been celebrated globally for the past ten years.
It was only natural
for us, this year, to place the rainbow flag around the altar, along with the
statue of Our Lady, as we prayed
especially for our brothers and sisters in Chechnya who are undergoing brutal
persecution just for being gay. The
rainbow colours of the flag symbolise the diversity that exists among God’s
children and replace the colour pink as this is reminiscent of the six-pointed
pink star that gay persons had to wear at Nazi concentration camps.
Unfortunately, discrimination and homophobia are still rampant
in all countries, including Malta, as exemplified by the fact that a small
number of persons seem to have taken objection to the use of the rainbow flag
in the chapel during this said vigil. It is, indeed, ironic and sad that the
persecution, electrocution, arrest, public flogging and killing of gay persons
in countries such as Chechnya, Nigeria and Indonesia goes unnoticed and is not
even considered to be newsworthy, while such a simple and spontaneous gesture marking the
International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) was interpreted as a sacrilegious
action.
Chris Vella and Joseanne Peregin
Coordinators - Drachma
6 June 2017
Further coverage of this story:
Rainbow flag decorated altar fuels controversy: Event marked International Day Against Homophobia
https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170607/local/rainbow-flag-decorated-altar-fuels-controversy.650117#.WTeKIlX19Ds.facebook
https://newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com/2017/06/08/cool-minds-avert-a-stand-off-in-rainbow-flag-flap/?utm_content=buffer38832&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Maltese Gay Catholic Group Has The Best Response For Haters Of Rainbow-Flag Altar Vigil: Some people worry about the prosecution of gays in Chechnya, others worry about altar etiquette https://lovinmalta.com/news/this-maltese-gay-catholic-group-had-the-best-response-to-haters
08 May 2017
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia - 17 May 2017
Drachma activity: Prayer Vigil and family testimonies
We would like to cordially invite you to attend a prayer vigil and sharing of family testimonies that is being held on Wednesday, 17 May 2017 at the University Chapel.
The 17th May is celebrated annually, and has been so for the past ten years, as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
The objective is to remember the victims of hate and phobia, as well as to celebrate the joy of who we are. We also realise that it is by our collective witness that we can truly counter all forms of prejudice, misunderstanding, hate and exclusion. It will also be an opportunity to come together in a positive sign of solidarity and hope especially in the wake of multiple crimes against LGBTIQ people around the world, particularly in places such as Chechnya, Russia and Africa.
Kindly spread the word!
LGBTI meeting on Friday 12 May at Cospicua
Our next LGBTI meeting will be held this coming Friday 12 May 2017 at the Parish Centre of Bormla (Cospicua) Ċentru Sagra Familja. For those who never came to this place, when you enter the Three Cities from Għajn Dwieli side, proceed down the road towards Cospicua and park close to the Church of St Paul, which is where the street forks out, on one side towards Senglea and the other towards the old Dockyard. We will be meeting at 7.30 pm next to this St Paul Church and there we will have just a 1 minute walk to the Parish Centre.
You can follow this Google Map showing how to get there by car/bus from Marsa (Vjal Aldo Moro): https://www.google.com.mt/maps/
19 March 2017
03 March 2017
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