The Ministry of Equality’s Conference to mark Pride month has been a resounding success.

The fully subscribed conference saw representatives from the public and private sector, charitable organisations and from the public.

The conference began with a powerful address by the Minister for Equality, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, reflecting upon the legislative and social progress in recent years and his own lived experience.

The conference also captured the many legislative changes since 2011 in a video which featured the former Minister for Equality, Samantha Sacramento.

Local LGBTQ+ advocate and activist Charles Trico spoke about the history of Pride in Gibraltar in a conversation with Michael Beltran. There was a spontaneous round of applause for Mr Trico during the morning when Minister Santos thanked him for his positive and, often, solitary activism.

Justin Montovio from Gibraltar’s LGBTQ+ committee delivered a presentation, ‘Pride at Work’, which actively encouraged employers to reflect upon their policies and practices, and which addressed the key issues of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Gender diversity and issues affecting the trans community were covered in a conversation facilitated by Kerstin Andlaw with Dr John Dean, who is a Visiting Consultant Gender Specialist and who supports the GHA’s Adult Gender Services.

The final contribution to the conference was a panel discussion, ‘Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+’. This was facilitated by Adriana Lopez and included panellists Paul Perez, Chair of the Gibraltar LGBTQ+ committee, Sarah Wadsworth from the Youth Service, and Kayleigh Pereira and Conor Lavagna, two young adults from the LGBTQ+ community.

Minister for Equality, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said: ‘This is the first conference to mark Pride month that the Ministry of Equality has held, and I am extremely pleased with the support and engagement today. It is vital that we continue to create safe spaces where LGBTQ+ matters can be discussed, where we can continue to embed a better understanding of these issues and where we can continue to promote diversity and inclusion.’