Gay Pride: everything you need to know

Gay Pride 2019 is fast approaching and you don't want to be left behind. Here you will find out everything you need to know about how it began and about the day of Gay Pride in Spain.

Stay and find out why this year will mark a milestone in the history of the fight for equality of the LGBT collective.

A little bit of history about the LGBT movement

If you have ever asked how Gay Pride came about, and no one responded, don't worry! You will find your answer here.

Throughout the 20th century, there were some monumental changes to society at a global level. Among them, is the fight for equality for women and the fight for the rights of homosexuals.

Before, unfortunately, homosexual relationships were punishable by prison. Adding to this is the harassment and both the physical and psychological mistreatment that have the collective have suffered, and even today, still endure.

How did it all start?

The 28th June 1969 is a key date. I don't know if you will have heard about the Stonewall Riots, but just in case you haven't, I'll tell you.

It all started in a gay bar in a neighbourhood in New York. In the early hours of the morning on the 28th June, a group of policemen burst in for no reason, a usual occurrence, and raided the local club.

Whilst customers of the bar intervened, rumour spread about what was happening. More and more people gathered at the club as a sign of protest in front of the bar. Fed up of so much abuse, the night ended in a violent riot between 2, 000 people and 400 policemen.

Society retaliated in the face of injustice and ran to the street to fight tooth and nail for their rights. The aim was clear, to achieve a just and liberated society.

The importance of Gay Pride

The celebration of Gay Pride is very important because the fight still hasn't finished. But this year it's something even more than that, as it's the 50th anniversary of the riots that triggered this annual recognition.

In fact, there are still countries in the world that punish same sex relationships (yep, in 2019) with prison sentences, some even including death. It's for this reason that it's so important to preserve this union and fight for one common objective: freedom. The freedom to love whoever you want, to be whoever you are, and to be able to feel what you truly feel.

This day doesn't just represent gay pride, or LGBT pride, it represents a day against homophobia. We have to put an end to this and let people be who they really are.

Even now there's still a lot of ground to cover, but we are achieving so much, just as we can see in the current LGBT news.

The celebration of Gay Pride

It's not just about the Gay Pride parade. The purpose is to raise awareness in society about the fact that we should all have the same rights. Independent from our sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.

For Gay Pride itself, each city organises activities such as talks, workshops and screenings among them.

Gay Pride in Europe

The European country where most people gather for this celebration is, undoubtedly, Spain. In these past few years, nothing more and nothing less than 2, 000, 000 people have come to demonstrate the cause.

Gay Pride in England also has great merit. Both in London and Paris, approximately half a million people came to protest, and that is huge.

And in other cities, such as Amsterdam, also welcome a gay pride celebration with open arms. It's quite the show. They parade down the river on boats and liven up the city, and the visitors that attend are from all corners of the world. It's a great city, and so that you can take advantage of and take a peak at... the many places there are to see.

In general, it's always celebrated the Saturday before or after the 28th June, assuming nothing coincides with it and there are no other functions going on.

Gay Pride in America

The city that attracts the most attention across the continent, and where this recognition started, is São Paulo. Every year, around 2 and 3 million people assemble to spread love and happiness around the world.

But with how big the American continent is, it's not just São Paulo. Also, the parades such as that of San Francisco should be noted, the pride march in Bogotá, as well as those in Toronto, with more than half a million attendees.

Gay Pride in Oceania

On this continent, not only the seasons are the other way around, but also the Gay Pride dates. Generally, they tend to celebrate it at the end of February, to finish off their summer.

If you go, don't forget the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. This is the most important and different event in the entirety of Australia. The parades storm the streets and people in costumes dance and sing to music; the party never stops.

Gay Pride in Africa

Africa is, undeniably the least tolerant country when it comes to this matter. There is still a long way to go, and because of this we need to be more united than ever.

So that you have an idea, you are persecuted for being homosexual. They put people in prison, and they will even kill someone for being gay. Yup, right in the middle of the 21st century.

However, little by little people are joining the fight against the system despite the serious threats that the LGBT community have to cope with.

Gay Pride in Asia

In Asia, just like Africa, we also must continue fighting to normalise the situation. Many countries consider the union between two people of the same sex to be illegal. And, despite the fact that there are many other places where it's legal, homosexuality is considered to be more of an act of rebellion than sexual orientation.

Whatever the situation may be in whatever country you're in, remember: don't just look the other way, do something.

Everything you should know about Gay Pride in Spain

Spain is the European country where the most people are welcomed into the streets by far, and now more than ever, which has to prove its worth.

Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza or Seville are the protagonists of this event.

If you have been to Gay Pride in Seville 2018 or to Gay Pride in Madrid, you should try Pride in Barcelona 2019. Gay Pride in Barcelona 2018 achieved bringing together, in only one week, more than 260, 000 people in the streets, so promise; if you decide to come and celebrate Gay Pride in Barcelona, pay a visit to this guide about how to plan a weekend in Barcelona so you don't miss out on anything.

Although, this is nothing in comparison to what awaits us at Gay Pride in Madrid this year.

To give you some context, Madrid was selected to be the host of Europride in 2017. Europride is a celebration at a European level that is celebrated every year in a different city. The Spanish capital had such success that they couldn't possibly lower the bar. They had to make sure that they were good enough for Europride 2018.

Gay Pride 2018 was held on a very significant date in Spain. No other date than the 28th June 1978 when the first Pride protest was celebrated in Madrid. For the first time in Spanish history, 7, 000 people joined together in pursuit of their rights as a collective group. Since then, year after year millions of people have attended to demonstrate and commemorate the first Gay Pride in Madrid.

Society owes a lot to those people who had the courage to protest all those years ago. For this reason, 2018 was a very important year, because it's not every day that it's 40 years of Pride in Madrid.

Now this leads us to talk about Gay Pride in Madrid 2019 and MADO. And you'll be asking yourselves...

What is MADO?

That’s a very good question. You see, MADO are the Pride Parties of Madrid, known as LGBT Pride Madrid (Orgullo LGBT). Year after year they push themselves to make Madrid the reference point for the LGBTIQ+ collective.

At Gay Pride Madrid 2019 they have planned loads of very interesting activities. You will find things from talks to workshops, screenings to parades. But without a shadow of a doubt, the most important activity is the MADO demonstration.

This regards the State Demonstration of the LGBT collective, the reason behind this great event. This event aims to ensure that Gay Pride 2019 leaves a mark on the conscience of society. There is still a lot left to fight for, and there will always be something to celebrate. Therefore, the streets of Madrid are the perfect destination to travel to this year; and while you're at it, take a look at this guide to Madrid so you don't miss you on anything about the city.

So go and put it in your calendar, because you already have something to do on the 28th June-7th July. Make love not war!

Don't forget!

If you're looking for accommodation, we can help you out. Erasmusu offers hundreds of spacious rooms rooms, studios, university dorms and flats all over Spain you will be able to find the perfect home, before you even get to the city.

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