Social Issues

LGBT Pride March returns to Madrid after pandemic hiatus

Madrid, Jul 9 (EFE).- “In the face of hate: visibility, pride and resilience” was the motto of Saturday’s LGTBIQ+ Pride March in the Spanish capital, which marked the return of the event at a two-year gap due to Covid-19.

Thousands filled the streets of Madrid for a procession that included 40 floats, activists from more than 100 organizations and Cabinet ministers.

“From the terrible institutions they are shouting discourses of hate: they stigmatize us, single us out, blame us for real and invented problems, present us as privileged people or worse, as threats to minors or to women,” were the words of a manifesto read aloud at the conclusion of the march.

The document also recalled the 30 years of struggle to achieve marriage equality and demanded passage of a proposed Trans Law that is needed to protect the rights of LGTBI+ people.

Though the ministers of interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska; education, Pilar Alegria; equality, Irene Montero; and social rights, Ione Belarra, took part in the event, the front row was reserved for movement activists.

Shortly before the start of the march, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez posted on Twitter an animated image with the words “Orgullo de Pais” (Pride of the Country) superimposed on the waving lines of color representing the banners of LGBT groups and the Spanish flag.

“Our diversity is our greatest pride. “Let us assert us; let us celebrate what we are, the right to be who we want to be. Today and forever, happy #OrgulloLGTBI!,” the Socialist prime minister wrote in the accompanying text.

Chants such as “Not one step backward” and “Pride without prejudice” rang out as the crowd made their way through the capital.

The right and the extreme right, Grande-Marlaska said, are jeopardizing the advances made in regard to the rights of LGTBI+ people, making the consolidation of those rights more urgent.

Saturday’s march capped off a week of parties, concerts and other events in Madrid that drew thousands of people from around the world. EFE nac-ajs/dr

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