How Lesbian Friendly is Spain

What We Want to Know

When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.

Keep reading to find out lesbian friendly Spain is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

Spain is considered to be a culturally liberal country, with very progressive laws regarding LGBTQ+ people. Same sex sexual activity has been legal since 1979, same sex marriage and adoption has been legal since 2005, and same sex couples have had equal access to IVF since 2006. There are anti-discrimination laws in place, although some aren’t nationwide. LGBTQ+ people can serve openly in the military, and the Spanish police force was the first in Europe to accommodate a same sex partner in a military installation. Overall, the laws in Spain are some of the best in the world!

Social Climate

The LGBTQ+ community is widely accepted in Spain, and recent data shows that a large percentage of Spanish people support equal rights. A 2015 Eurobarometer Poll showed that 84% of Spanish people believe that same sex marriage should be legalized throughout Europe. Spain also ranks very high on the Gay Happiness Index at #13, and there has been significant representation for the LGBTQ+ community in Spanish culture, including literature, music, and Spanish cinema. Spain was host to the World Pride celebration in 2017, and the cities of Madrid and Barcelona are often regarded as two of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the world. The public opinion in Spain seems to be overwhelmingly positive, which makes it a great destination for travellers.

Gaybourhoods

While many cities and regions in Spain are considered to be welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community, the heart of Spanish gay culture can be found in the city of Madrid. The predominant gay scene is in the Chueca district, and is home to many LGBTQ+ businesses and establishments, and the unofficial lesbian gaybourhood is in Lavapies. Unlike other major cities, Madrid has a lot of specifically lesbian establishments and events that cater specifically to gay women. Their oldest and most iconic lesbian bar is Club 33. There is also a lively LGBTQ+ scene in Barcelona, with the Eixample neighbourhood being the unofficial gay district. Other destinations in Spain that are especially gay friendly include Sitges, Maspalomas, Torremolinos, and Ibiza.

Our Experience

We loved our time in Spain and can’t wait to return one day. We spent our time in Madrid and Barcelona, and felt completely at ease as a lesbian couple during our travels. The attitudes of the locals in both cities were very accepting and laid back, and we felt completely safe holding hands and showing affection while in public. We saw other same sex couples out and open, and we had no issues at all during our trip. It was wonderful to feel welcomed and accepted, and it made for a really positive experience. We love travelling to destinations that are open minded and inclusive of our community, and we would highly recommend Spain as a destination for other lesbian couples and travellers.

Have you been to Spain? Share your experience in the comments below!