The largest gay pride rally took place on Saturday evening in Madrid, Spain. Even before the event, the organizers had predicted that it could be attended by two to three million people, including residents of Madrid and numerous tourists.
Representatives of trade unions and political parties took part
The Spanish socialist workers' party, the left Podemos, the centrist Citizens, and the representatives of the right-wing People's Party, ruling in the country, joined the rally. They made the banner with the words "For LGBT Rights All Over the World".
The rally started from the square in front of the Atocha station and ended on the Columbus Square.
About 3,500 law enforcement officers ensured the safety of the convoy, forbidding the entry of trucks more than 3.5 tons in some central areas of the capital.
Spanish rally today in Madrid for the "normal family" and against gay rights vis @juancarlosmohr Franco still alive pic.twitter.com/tO9eYOGcCU
— Jordi Vàzquez (@JordiVazquez) July 4, 2015
Spain, a country of sexual minorities
Spain is one of the most tolerant countries in the world with regards to sexual minorities. According to polls, almost 90% of the people living in this country recognize and protect their rights.
Same-sex marriages were legalized about 12 years ago in Spain.
It became the third European country after the Netherlands and Belgium where same-sex marriage was legalized.
The first gay rally was held in Spain on June 26, 1977, in Barcelona. It was organized under the head of the Front for the Liberation of Gays in Catalonia and was attended by 4,000 people who demanded to release all Gays And Lesbians from prisons.
In 1970, at the end of the dictatorial regime of Francisco Franco, a law was passed on the public danger, according to which gays were classified as "socially dangerous elements." The criminal penalty was five years' imprisonment or forced treatment.
Attack on homosexuals
Last weekend in Madrid, three adherents of a neo-Nazi ideology attacked a homosexual couple.
They shouted and insulted the two young people, hit them several times, and also demonstrated the Nazi salute. The incident occurred in the Madrid area of Chueca, which is considered to be the center of the homosexual life of the capital.
The attackers were detained, but on Monday the Madrid court decided to release them because of the duration of the investigation. On Tuesday, the Spanish National Police detained a man in the city of Palma de Mallorca on suspicion of inciting hatred against members of the LGBT community.
On the Twitter, this man repeatedly posted slogans that offended gays and lesbians, as well as representatives of religious and ethnic minorities. Homosexuality is a punishable act in 72 countries and Life imprisonment in some other countries.
