Every September, Malta and Gozo light up with colour, celebration, and courage as Pride week takes centre stage. Yet, while Pride represents love, inclusion, and equality, it also brings a troubling rise in hate speech—especially online. This surge often comes from religious extremists, far-right voices, and individuals gripped by misinformation or prejudice. And while Malta ranks highly for LGBTI+ rights on paper, the reality for many Maltese and Gozitan queer people is ofte