Barcelona is one of the best cities to be gay. For such a long time now, the Catalan capital has welcomed the LGBTQ+ community with open arms. It helps that the city has an open-minded society to begin with. Though it wasn't always the case, Barcelona became one of the first European metropolises to accept notions of different sexualities, gender identities, and the like. Also, you can't ignore its amazing gay nightlife. From bars to nightclubs, anyone who's LGBTQ+ will find a hotspot where they can have the time of their lives. These are just some of the reasons why it's fun to be gay in Barcelona.
It's in Spain
Just the mere fact that Barcelona is in Spain already makes it a great gay destination. This isn't to say that all of Spain is friendly to the LGBQ+ community. This is still a Roman Catholic country, after all. There are many places, specifically in the more rural areas, where tradition trumps modern values. But overall, Spain has become one of the most liberal countries in the world. Not only was it among the first countries to legalize same-sex marriage, but to also legalize adoption for same-sex couples. So in such a liberal city in an already-liberal country, it really is fun to be gay in Barcelona.
An Open-Minded City
As already mentioned, Spain is a liberal country. And according to
Spanish movies, Barcelona is among the most open-minded cities in the country. You do have to remember that films are mostly fictional, so what you see there isn't necessarily an accurate depiction of the city. But in truth, Barcelona, locals and tourists alike, are pretty open about a lot of things. That includes sex. There's a reason why the Catalan capital is often regarded as one of the most romantic cities in the world. Passion often comes into play here, whether you're gay, straight, bisexual, etc.
A Great Gay Nightlife
The city also boasts great gay nightlife. In various
neighborhoods in Barcelona, you'll find the most epic gay bars, nightclubs, and more. Gaixample is a great example. The district is actually named Eixample but because there are a lot of LGBTQ+ hotspots in the area, it gained this monicker. The Gothic Quarter, which is a central hub for bohemians in the city, is also known for its chic night cafes and bistros. Some of them specifically cater to the queer community or are actually LGBTQ+-owned businesses themselves. Either way, there's so much to look forward to when you're gay in Barcelona.
A Lively Pride Month
Pride Month in Barcelona is wild! For one thing, kids can join in on the fun too. More often than not, the annual event is vilified as not “kid-friendly” mostly because of the overt sexual displays that are associated with it. But in the Catalan capital, Pride Month is as much a family affair as any other holiday. They treat it as a sort of carnival, with stalls offering adorable face paint, fun games, and more. Meanwhile, the teenagers and adults put on quite a colorful parade. They go out loud and proud, letting their voices be heard and their presence felt for all the world to see.
Watch LGBTQ+ Film Festivals
Did you know that Barcelona hosts gay-centered film festivals? There's FIRE!! Mostra, for example, which is produced by
Casal Lambda. Established in 1995, it's one of the longest-running international gay and lesbian film festivals that highlight queer cinema. For more than a couple of decades now, it has put LGBTQ+ filmmakers front and center. In fact, one of the main criteria to enter the festival is that it has to be an LGBTQ+-centered film. The festival has arguably done better for queer cinema than the likes of the
Cannes Film Festival, for instance, which only established its own “Queer Palm” in 2010.
Read LGBTQ+ Literature
More than just cinema, anyone who's gay in Barcelona also gets to enjoy great literature. The city offers a prominent bookstore that centers on LGBTQ+ works. It's called
Antinous and is located in Carrer de Casanova. From romantic dramas to historic narratives, this place is the go-to shop for queer stories. What's great about it is that their selection maintains a healthy balance between classics and new works. Anyone who's a bibliophile, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can expect such reverting works from authors who deserve more recognition than they're given.
You might not know it yet but it's actually pretty fun to be gay in Barcelona! The city welcomes you with open arms, you'll find lots of places where you'll feel safe, and the nightlife here is almost second to none!
