“We are family”, tens of thousands celebrate LGTB Pride in Barcelona

TENS of thousands filled the streets of central Barcelona on Saturday to celebrate LGTB Pride Day under the slogan “WeAreFamily.

Organisers Pride Barcelona said somewhere in the regions of 100,000 turned out to watch the spectacular grand parade despite the exceptionally high temperatures, which this year also marked the 50^th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York, recognised as the start of the LGTB rights movement.

LGTB family associations headed the procession of 34 elaborate floats, banners declaring “We are families everywhere.”

Representatives of NGOs, trade unions and political parties were also there to show their support for the LGTB community, including Barcelona Mayor Ada Cola.

The only controversy surrounding the day revolved around the organisers ban on the centre-right Ciudadanos from taking part on the grounds it had failed to stand by its commitment not to make pacts with the far-right Vox party.

Pride Barcelona had stated that all parties which wanted to participate had to promise “not to make a pact with or support political formations” which “promote hate speech, are anti-feminist, racist, xenophobic or threaten the rights of LGTB people.”

When an open-top bus with the party’s logo went past the crowd gathered in the plaza Universidad for a demonstration to demand equal rights for the LGTB community, some people blocked its way and used spray cans to daub the side with insults and messages like “Fascists”, “Get out” and LGTB struggle.”

ANNIVERSARY: This week’s celebrations mark 50 years since the Stonewall riots which launched the LGTB rights movement.

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