Gay Spain

In a staunch Catholic country like Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries it was extremely hazardous to a person’s health if they were found guilty of homosexual acts, so much so that the guilty parties were burned at the stake in the town squares. Even as late as the 20th century, Frederico Lorca, the most famous poet of the time, was executed on the orders of the dictator General Fransisco Franco who objected to his homosexuality.

These days however, particularly since the death of Franco and the collapse of his regime in 1975, Spain has become one of the most liberal minded countries in the world with regards to the rights and freedoms bestowed on homosexuals and because of this now can now attest to having many of the most popular gay communities in Europe.

Gays, lesbians and transgender people are now free to go about their daily lives like everyone else without the fear of persecution, arrest or internment (or even death).

Law on Gay Marriage

The year 2005 saw a major turning point in the rights of gays and lesbians in that they were finally allowed to legally marry and adopt children. Allowing them the same rights as heterosexuals was condemned by the Vatican and sections of Spain’s right wing socialist government but the change in the law was generally a welcome breathe of fresh air for the Spanish people who, as a nation, are quite broadminded when it comes to matters of sexuality.

Gay Tourism

Since the fall of the dictatorship, Spain’s gay communities have flourished and in many areas you can find many gay friendly bars and restaurants and even obtain maps pinpointing their locations. In the larger cities, e.g. Barcelona or Madrid, and the more cosmopolitan towns in Spain, a person’s sexuality is not an issue – it is more important that everyone has a good night out.

Some of the country’s most popular gay communities can be found in Sitges, L’Eixample (an area of Barcelona), the Chueca quarter in Madrid and Playa del Ingles on Gran Canaria.

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