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Madrid Pride, or MADO, is a series of street celebrations that take place during the city´s LGTB (lesbian, gay, transsexual and bisexual) Pride Week. The Statewide Demonstration is the central event of this very eventful week and is Europe´s largest. Outdoor concerts -on six different stages-, parties, expositions, culture and sports (all of which are celebrated around the Chueca neighborhood in downtown Madrid) make up the whole of MADO.
There are about 500 businesses aimed towards the LGTB community (bars, cafés, restaurants, night clubs, book stores, travel agencies, gyms, hotels, boutiques, etc.) in Madrid, along with many other LGTB-friendly commerce.
Year after year, MADO presents itself as a celebration that is open to the whole world and this gives it a wide multiethnic, multicultural character. That is how MADO turns Madrid into a Gateway to Diversity.
In 2007 Madrid celebrated Europride (the Official European Pride Festival). That year, the president of the EPOA (European Pride Organizers Association) stated that Madrid had provided the “best Europride in history”. Ever since, MADO has acquired more and more international prestige and relevance. Along with this, MADO has been prized two years in a row as the “Best Annual Gay Destination Event” in MTV's Tripout Gay Travel Awards.
Madrid Pride has been for years the largest urban event celebrated in Europe because it brings over two million people together in the main streets and squares of the city. The performances take place in Plaza de Chueca, a symbol of freedom and LGTB rights that offers concerts and other activities for all kind of audiences.
Mado is now more than just Madrid's gay party, it's a great economic, social and vindicative affair that every year transcends our borders and turns Madrid into the city of diversity.
LGTB Pride is a multiethnic and multicultural celebration open to everybody (children, teens, the elderly, neighbors and visitors from all over the world), transforming Madrid into an open Gateway to Diversity. This is the spirit in which “Orgullo, ejemplo de convivencia” (“Pride, example of coexistence”) was created, an initiative that looks to spread awareness and involvement amongst groups, businesses, organisms and organizers about the importance of MADO and it´s aim to expand respect and peaceful coexistence.
In the past few years Madrid Pride celebrations have congregated more than two million participants. The traditional multicolor Statewide Parade running through the capital serves as the perfect climax to a week full of festivities. Madrid's Gay Pride has become, by its own right, the most popular celebration in Spain. Madrid Pride has gone from being a small protest in the 80´s to the enormous event it is today, a moment in which we all come together to celebrate equality and diversity in a festive and fun way, without ever forgetting the LGTB community´s pursue for rights.
Somewhat eclipsed by its seaside sister Barcelona in recent years, Madrid still offers a great deal to gay travellers. Its gay pride march each summer is now legendary, and the La Chueca gay district is brimming with great bars and restaurants.
