When Deryder first moved to Malta from Turkey four years ago, she struggled with a sense of disconnection.
“During the first years of my time in Malta, I felt a bit left out and alone, missing the sense of solidarity and community I had previously experienced,” she shared with WhosWho.mt.
Back home, Deryder had been actively involved with NGOs focused on refugees, women’s rights, LGBTIQ+ rights, and support for queer individuals and women in prison. That grounding in community organising would eventually inspire her to build something new in her adopted country.
Realising that others might be experiencing the same sense of isolation, Deryder founded Kaktus – a café located in Sliema that describes itself as a “breathing space for Malta’s queer community.”
“Today, Kaktus has become what it is thanks to the support I’ve received from the people and the community,” she said.
Over the past few years, Kaktus has developed a loyal following, serving not only as a café but as a safe space for LGBTIQ+ individuals in Malta. However, being visible and vocal has also come with its challenges.
The vandalised flag outside the café
Just last week, on 19th June, the rainbow flag on the café’s storefront was found torn down – the third act of vandalism targeting the establishment.
The incident was widely condemned by public figures and organisations, including former Maltese Member of European Parliament Cyrus Engerer, who described it as “a direct attempt to erase visibility, equality, and freedom.”
“A rainbow flag was torn down in Sliema. Not by the wind. Not by time. But by someone who couldn't stomach what it stands for,” Mr Engerer wrote, thanking Kaktus for its courage and resilience.
Sliema Mayor John Pillow also voiced his support: “An attack on the rainbow flag is an attack on love, dignity, and the right to exist. To my friends at KAKTUS and to the wider queer community: You are seen, you are valued, and you are not alone.”
In response to the incident, Kaktus stated: “This is a hate crime. The rainbow flag represents equality, love, coexistence, and inclusion. An attack on this flag is not just an attack on a symbol, it’s an attack on lives, stories, and rights that this symbol stands for. We as the owners of this space, its regulars, and as queer people living in this country want to live in a Malta where everyone feels safe, accepted, and valued. But this morning, once again, we saw that some people still view our existence as a threat and feel entitled to respond to a threat with violence.”
Despite the hateful act, support for Kaktus has only grown stronger, and its role as a space of affirmation and solidarity remains steadfast.
From a moment of personal isolation, Deryder has created a place of connection – and in doing so, reminded others that they are not alone.
