The Madrid City Council commenced the LGTBI Pride Week this Monday at Pedro Zerolo Square with the traditional raising of the rainbow flag. The delegate for Social Policies, Family, and Equality, José Fernández, presided over the ceremony, defining it as a demonstration of the capital's open and diverse character.
Fernández highlighted the "symbolic" and "significant" value of the gesture, considering it represents that "Madrid is an open city, it is a free city, and it is a diverse city." He also championed the capital's role as an international benchmark and "mirror" for other cities where LGTBI individuals "do not live freely."
“"Madrid is an open city, it is a free city, and it is a diverse city"
The municipal official also encouraged enjoyment of the upcoming days, which he noted combine celebration and advocacy. In this regard, he called for experiencing Pride "as a party and at the same time as a demand," despite the attitude of "some sad people" who, in his opinion, try to "sour" these days.
The event was also attended by the delegate for Culture, Tourism, and Sport, Marta Rivera de la Cruz; the delegate for Works and Equipment, Paloma García Romero; the councilor for the Centro district, Carlos Segura, and other representatives of the municipal government.
The ceremony began with the reading of the micro-story "The Certainty of What Was Love" by Yamileth James, last year's winner of the municipal micro-story contest, and continued with the performance of "All the Lovers" by Kylie Minogue, by Elizabeth Morales, vocalist of the group Flores en el Ártico, and singing professor Lorena Muñoz.
Coinciding with the Madrid Pride 2026 (MADO) celebration, the City Council will install two Rainbow Points on July 1st and 2nd in Ópera Square, next to the main stages in Puerta del Sol and Plaza de España. These points will offer information and support to potential victims of LGTBIfobia, as well as disseminate available municipal resources.
The City Council also recalled that it allocates around half a million euros annually to the MADO organizers and develops a "true LGTBI public policy with concrete resources," including the Rainbow Points, victim support services, and diversity plan advisory programs for companies.
Following the flag raising, the National Police presented the special security deployment for the Pride celebrations, which will mobilize over 3,300 officers, with approximately 700 specifically assigned to the national demonstration called for next Saturday. Specialized units participated, including the UPR, UIP, Canine Unit, Cavalry, and Drones.
National Police forecasts anticipate an attendance of close to one and a half million people during the celebrations. The operation's objective will be to ensure all events proceed "normally" and to respond "quickly and effectively" to any incident, with special attention to potential hate crimes. The force encouraged citizens to immediately report any aggression or discriminatory behavior to facilitate investigation.
