MADRID PRIDE

AT WORLD PRIDE IN MADRID, IAN HORNER WAS REMINDED THAT WE’VE GOTTA FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHT TO PARTY!

you can’t just say hello in the street. It must be an exuberant “Hola!” with a big kiss on both cheeks. Passion is their trademark, whether it’s supporting Real Madrid or building splendidly overthe-top cathedrals like Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The tomatina festival sees thousands of villagers and visitors splatter each other with kilos of over-ripe tomatoes, for fun.

Passion is the hallmark of cultura española and it is reflected in their LGBTQ culture, too. Despite centuries of ultra-conservative Muslim, Jewish and Catholic tradition, Spain was the third country to legalise gay marriage (in 2005), following The Netherlands (2001) and Belgium (2003). Few saw it coming, including the regions outside the main cities where conservatism continues and there’s unspoken pressure to keep quiet if you’re gay.

But in the cities, expressions of same-sex affection are not just accepted, they’re celebrated by the broader community with a big communal hug. From the people behind the counters in shops to strangers in the streets, to the political and business leaders of the city. And that’s why Madrid Pride is the biggest gay party in Europe and one of the most important in the world.

We were there for World Pride last year. As with many gay pride events, Madrid’s began as a protest march in 1977. It’s been held every year since, quickly morphing into a huge LGBTQ-friendly event on the first weekend in July. Sydney’s Mardi Gras has similar origins, beginning as a protest march in 1978, but Sydney has not kept pace with Madrid.

As a gay couple from Sydney, over our ten-day visit, we felt welcomed and embraced in Madrid in ways we have not experienced back home during Mardi Gras, let alone at other times of the year.

Out on the street, holding hands was just natural, even when we were away from the gay neighbourhood of Chueca. People nodded and smiled or waved, including family groups with kids and elders.

Yes, the City Of Sydney puts up banners in the streets to celebrate Mardi Gras. Yes, we get splashes in the media. Yes, Darlinghurst is packed so tightly on Parade day you can’t move and there’s a genuine sense of acceptance and support on Mardi Gras day that always lifts the spirits. But no matter how tirelessly the Mardi Gras team work their butts off, there are always reminders that we are fringe dwellers. Like the Reverend Fred Nile praying for it to rain on our parade each year, and like Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull claiming to support marriage equality while doing the exact opposite. None of that in Madrid.

One of the reasons 2.2 million people attended World Pride is the level of official support for the LGBTQ community, in general, and Pride in particular. We’re talking real, no-holds-barred support. No hidden agendas, no political fingers crossed behind backs. It makes the level of support we get in Australia feel like lip service by comparison.

There was even a city-sanctioned version of Grindr in Madrid called Bakala (“punk”), which links to bakala.org. Check out the app.

The economic payoff to Madrid for hosting World

IN SPAIN,