Critical Pride will return to the streets of Madrid to advocate for the rights of the LGTBIQA+ community with the slogan "Against Colonial Capitalism That Massacres Us" and the call to action "To all deviants, to the barricades." The event aims to highlight the political nature of the mobilization and criticize the commodification of Pride.
The march is scheduled for Sunday, June 28th, starting at 7:00 PM. The route will begin at the Carpetana Metro station and conclude at Plaza Elíptica, in the Carabanchel district.
Organizers assert that Pride, which originated as a response to violence and persecution, has lost its original essence. They criticize the current model, driven by institutional and corporate interests, which they believe uses diversity as a promotional tool while precariousness and inequality persist.
The demonstration will serve to denounce hate speech against trans and racialized individuals, the persecution of social movements, and the effects of gentrification on working-class neighborhoods. It seeks a space free from mass tourism and institutional presence, where dissident identities can express their demands.
Following the march through Carabanchel, a joint manifesto will be read. This year's manifesto will address the privatization of public services such as healthcare and education, calling for public, inclusive, and accessible schooling. It will also focus on the housing crisis, denouncing the impact of touristification, rising rents, and the displacement of residents, linking these issues to the particular vulnerability of migrants and the community.
Another key theme of the manifesto is the defense of sex workers' rights, demanding labor recognition and an end to stigma and institutional harassment. It also criticizes police actions that disproportionately affect migrants, racialized individuals, and the LGTBIQA+ community, while questioning the current mental health care model.
Internationally, the slogan critiques capitalism, colonialism, and armed conflicts. Organizers reiterate their support for the Palestinian people, reject 'pinkwashing,' and argue that the liberation of the community cannot be separated from other social struggles against racism, economic inequality, and discrimination.
The Critical Pride organization reminds attendees that this is an autonomous demonstration, with no participation permitted from political parties or institutional unions. They encourage collectives and individuals to contribute their own proposals and demands.
