Supporting #MaltaPride week

On 10 September 2022, over 100 EUAA colleagues and their families and friends joined the Valletta Pride March in support of the rights of LGBTIQ+ people. This year’s edition saw a large turnout of colleagues, despite unexpectedly high temperatures; it was a welcome demonstration of support for LGBTIQ+ people by the Agency. For colleagues organising the Agency’s participation in Pride celebrations, this year’s success encouraged them to continue and work to expand the EUAA’s participation ahead of EuroPride 2023 in Malta.  

Traditionally, Malta Pride celebrations take place after the hot summer months. Since the protection of LGBTIQ+ rights is important to the Agency, the EUAA has proudly supported Pride week in Malta by inter alia flying the Pride Flag at its Headquarters. As an employer, the EUAA is also proud to promote inclusivity in its workplace, for all its officials and staff.

 

The EUAA has long observed that LGBTIQ+ people generally face a high risk of discrimination, exclusion, harassment, and violence on the sole basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), regardless of where they are in the world. As SOGIESC -based discrimination can be grounds for granting international protection in EU+ countries, and since LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers have special needs based on their SOGIESC, the EUAA is committed to supporting Member States to put safeguards in place and address these needs during the entire asylum procedure.