Madrid Pride Celebrates Progress, Defends Rights

Madrid’s vibrant Pride demonstration filled the city center, championing the theme 20 years progressing in rights: not a step back. Participants highlighted the importance of safeguarding LGBTQI+ achievements amid concerns about rising extremism.

Voices of Madrid Pride

Miguel Baya, a 54-year-old gay man from Barcelona, has been attending Madrid Pride for a decade. This year is more empty, I am terrified of the setback that is promoting the extreme right, he shared, worried about current political trends.

Baya, who works for an airline, noted that while his sexual orientation hasn’t been an issue professionally, he now feels the need to be more cautious with his words due to increased polarization. He and his boyfriend of 16 years haven’t married yet due to financial considerations, but he stated he would not hesitate if he felt their rights were threatened.

Coni, a 30-year-old asexual and bisexual woman, realized in her teens that she didn’t experience sexual attraction. I don’t connect with people through sex, she explained.

After moving to Spain from Chile, Coni identified as both asexual and bisexual, feeling romantic and emotional attraction but not sexual attraction. She highlighted the challenges of being both bisexual and asexual, battling stereotypes from both communities. Coni voiced concerns over rising conservatism and restrictions on trans people.

Nagore, a 13-year-old lesbian, knew from a young age that she wasn’t interested in men. At home, she faced no issues thanks to her bisexual mother. I had no problem at home; in school I suffered harassment, she said. However, she experienced harassment at school due to her short haircut.

Nagore attends Pride to encourage others to embrace themselves and hopes the event continues to thrive. According to a recent study by the Williams Institute, LGBTQ youth who experience higher levels of social support report lower rates of suicide attempts (Williams Institute, 2024).

Celebrating Bisexuality and Trans Identity

David Pérez Alonso, a 30-year-old bisexual from Barcelona, has been attending Madrid Pride for five years. Many rights can be lost depending who governs, he warned, emphasizing the need for unity within the LGBTQI+ community during these times.

Pérez is grateful for the growing size of Madrid Pride and has been fortunate not to experience bifobia from family or friends. However, he recognizes the need to increase bisexuality visibility to combat misconceptions.

Estefany Pérez, a 30-year-old trans woman, is attending her first Pride as her authentic self. After winning a Miss Trans contest in Colombia, she began her transition three years ago. Born in Venezuela, she emigrated to Colombia before arriving in Madrid seeking better opportunities. Once your mother accepts you, everything does not matter, she stated, highlighting the importance of family support.

Allies and Future Hopes

Lisa Hoelting, a 30-year-old heterosexual woman from Germany, attended Pride with her queer friends. I am an ally: I am here in defense of freedom and diversity, she asserted.

Hoelting believes things are improving for the LGBTQI+ community but recognizes the need to defend progress, particularly given the rise of the extreme right in parts of Europe.

Maxx and Nico, two 18-year-old trans men, attended Pride with university friends. It is important that we see us, to know that we exist, said Maxx.

Nico highlighted that while acceptance is growing in Spain, transphobia persists. Both expressed concerns about discrimination, especially in the workplace, lamenting that Today, we are not respected.

Generational Perspectives on Progress

Cristina González Fernández and Belenchu Fernández, both 49-year-old lesbians, have been attending Pride for two decades. Everyone wants to love, they stated, emphasizing the welcoming nature of the event.

They noted that societal acceptance of lesbians still lags compared to other groups, particularly among older generations, while younger people generally show more acceptance. They believe that continued progress requires a shift in mentality.