Marco Parascandalo, a popular local fashion designer, who operates namesake label Parascandalo, has announced the launch of a new collection, featuring a response to the homophobia published by priest Father David Muscat earlier this week.

The design features the priest’s own word – “gayyagni,” used in a vitriolic rant against homosexuality – emblazoned in either rainbow, white or black lettering.

Launching the new collection in a Facebook post, Parascandalo exclaimed: “Proudly living your truth is essential. So when someone is annoyed by your ‘gayyagni,’ wear it on a shirt and own it.”

The company says it will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the items to leading Malta-based NGO Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC), which works to support and stand up for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Ultimately, it aims to turn a negative situation of hate speech “into a positive fashion moment.”

Father Muscat’s rambling comments have been largely condemned, with Malta’s Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli calling on the police to investigate a possible case of hate speech.

Additionally, Malta’s Archbishop has formally warned the priest, meaning any harmful comments made in public could see him prohibited from exercising his ministry in public.

He has also been instructed to delete his comments.