by Gaby Gauci
I
cannot believe it has been three years since that infamous first meeting in one
of the old computer labs in a dark basement on campus. We Are has come a long
way since then, not only as a University based organisation but also reaching
out to the community nationwide. What
started off as a small organisation of friends grew into one large, diverse
(and certainly unique) family.
This
year we have expanded our reach by holding some of our yearly events at other
post-secondary education institutions, like Flowers for Friendship at GCHSS and
Junior College. Because of this we have
been invited to hold talks with the guidance office in order for us to
collaborate on some events, like workshops and seminars, in the future.
Through
all our adventures this year one thing has remained apparent: We Are is still a
very much needed organisation. Although things in Malta are slowly getting
better for LGBTQQI individuals, there are still people who feel like they do
not belong and have no one to turn to for support. This organisation is there
for them, as always, providing a safe space to explore their sexuality and
gender identity as well as answering any queries and providing information to
help them along this journey.
Although
we have certainly come a long way, there is still work to be done so that We
Are can continue to grow, like furthering community support and increasing
community events as well as contributing further on the consultative council in
order to ensure that we are able to help improve the situation in Malta for
anyone who falls under the LGBTQQI umbrella.
Member
support is crucial, which is why I would like to thank all those who took an
active interest in the organisation this year. Without these dedicated
individuals many of our events would not have been successful. One cannot forget to mention all the support
from the US Embassy, MGRM, our food sponsor The Wembley Store, IGLYO and all
other organisations that provided invaluable input and assistance.
As
this will be my final year volunteering with We Are due to my studies in Malta
coming to a close, I would like to impart some final words of wisdom to any
future activists involved with this awesome organisation: cookies solve all
problems. They are great during brainstorming sessions and especially useful to
have on a stand.
Throughout
my time with We Are, I have not only become a better activist, but a better
person. It has truly been an honour to be part of this family and feel like my
voice has indeed made a difference. I hope that this organisation can continue
to do that for others as well as always being a place where people can express
themselves without fear of being judged or excluded because of it.
This post also appears in our Annual Report for 2012-2013, which can be read and downloaded from our issuu account here:
