Spain's LGTB Organizations
Spain (especially Madrid, often referred to as the Gay Capital of Spain) has a number of resources for the LGBT community, including hundreds of gay bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and even specifically gay friendly shopping districts, and gay friendly hotels for tourists. There are also a number of support groups, as well as nonprofit organizations that fight for equality in the LGBT community. The following are just a few of the most important LGBT organizations that exist in Spain:
AEGAL (The Association of Companies and Professionals for Gays and Lesbians in Madrid and the Madrid Region):
AEGAL is a nonprofit organization that was established in April of 2004. It consists of an assembly, which is represented by a board of directors. The current President of the board is María del Carmen Contreras. “The association’s […] main goal [is] the promotion of cultural, education, business and entertainment, among others specially focused on the LGBT sector of Madrid. All these initiatives with the aim of defending the rights, interests and values of LGBT Community in order to achieve the full legal and social equality.”[24]
Every year, AEGAL is heavily involved in all gay pride events in Madrid, including the upcoming World Pride Madrid of 2017, which will feature parades, conferences and seminars, sporting events, concerts, and art exhibitions. The goal is to have something for everyone, so that attendees will thoroughly enjoy themselves while supporting the cause.[24] In addition to pride events, the AEGAL also participates in LGBT cultural and film festivals, as well as “several nonprofit campaigns supporting the prevention of HIV/AIDS” (http://worldpridemadrid2017.com/en/about/organisation)
AEGAL is a member of several international organizations, such as INTERPRIDE, EPOA (Europride Organizer’s Association), and ILGTA (International Lesbian and Gay Travel Association), an organization dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for all members of the LGBT community.[24] AEGAL is a key organization in Madrid, in Spain, and internationally as well.
COGAM (Collective of Gays and Lesbians of Madrid; aka LGBT collective of Madrid):
COGAM is a democratic, independent nonprofit organization. It was founded in 1986, and since then, it has continually worked towards social and legal equality, and also social inclusivity- making members of the LGBT community feel like they actually belong. They seek to eliminate discrimination against the LGBT community, as well as all forms of homophobic and transphobic behavior.[17] They also participate in LGBT pride events, and they will be one of the main organizers for Madrid Pride 2017.
FELGTB (The State Federation of Gays, Lesbians, Transsexuals and Bisexuals):
FELGTB was founded in April of 1992, though it originally did not include the T and the B; those initials were added to the organization’s name in later years to include the Bisexual and Transsexual groups.[23] Its executive committee is made up of 9 members, and it is currently headed by President Boti G. Rodrigo. It is an organization that brings smaller LGBT associations together. Currently, the FELGTB consists of 56 associations, spread across 15 of the 17 autonomous regions in Spain, as well as two autonomous cities.[23]
FELGTB is described as a secular organization, with no affiliation to any one particular political party, despite some of its projects being government funded. They are primarily concerned with legal and social equality for the LGBT community, and awareness of sexual diversity. They believe in starting this awareness young; FELGTB works with the education systems and encourages sexual diversity to be taught in schools. They are also greatly involved in spreading awareness of HIV/AIDS, both prevention, and treatment for the disease. Health is an important topic in the LGTB community, though there are several other important topics, such as education, politics, and international cooperation, all of which are discussed in FELGTB’s annual conferences. They talk about the most important challenges and triumphs of that year in these categories and more, and discuss what to do moving forward. And what they can’t accomplish alone, they accomplish by teaming up with others. “The Federation works with governments, political parties, trade unions and social organizations”[23] to accomplish its goals of awareness, equality, and acceptance.
AEGAL (The Association of Companies and Professionals for Gays and Lesbians in Madrid and the Madrid Region):
AEGAL is a nonprofit organization that was established in April of 2004. It consists of an assembly, which is represented by a board of directors. The current President of the board is María del Carmen Contreras. “The association’s […] main goal [is] the promotion of cultural, education, business and entertainment, among others specially focused on the LGBT sector of Madrid. All these initiatives with the aim of defending the rights, interests and values of LGBT Community in order to achieve the full legal and social equality.”[24]
Every year, AEGAL is heavily involved in all gay pride events in Madrid, including the upcoming World Pride Madrid of 2017, which will feature parades, conferences and seminars, sporting events, concerts, and art exhibitions. The goal is to have something for everyone, so that attendees will thoroughly enjoy themselves while supporting the cause.[24] In addition to pride events, the AEGAL also participates in LGBT cultural and film festivals, as well as “several nonprofit campaigns supporting the prevention of HIV/AIDS” (http://worldpridemadrid2017.com/en/about/organisation)
AEGAL is a member of several international organizations, such as INTERPRIDE, EPOA (Europride Organizer’s Association), and ILGTA (International Lesbian and Gay Travel Association), an organization dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for all members of the LGBT community.[24] AEGAL is a key organization in Madrid, in Spain, and internationally as well.
COGAM (Collective of Gays and Lesbians of Madrid; aka LGBT collective of Madrid):
COGAM is a democratic, independent nonprofit organization. It was founded in 1986, and since then, it has continually worked towards social and legal equality, and also social inclusivity- making members of the LGBT community feel like they actually belong. They seek to eliminate discrimination against the LGBT community, as well as all forms of homophobic and transphobic behavior.[17] They also participate in LGBT pride events, and they will be one of the main organizers for Madrid Pride 2017.
FELGTB (The State Federation of Gays, Lesbians, Transsexuals and Bisexuals):
FELGTB was founded in April of 1992, though it originally did not include the T and the B; those initials were added to the organization’s name in later years to include the Bisexual and Transsexual groups.[23] Its executive committee is made up of 9 members, and it is currently headed by President Boti G. Rodrigo. It is an organization that brings smaller LGBT associations together. Currently, the FELGTB consists of 56 associations, spread across 15 of the 17 autonomous regions in Spain, as well as two autonomous cities.[23]
FELGTB is described as a secular organization, with no affiliation to any one particular political party, despite some of its projects being government funded. They are primarily concerned with legal and social equality for the LGBT community, and awareness of sexual diversity. They believe in starting this awareness young; FELGTB works with the education systems and encourages sexual diversity to be taught in schools. They are also greatly involved in spreading awareness of HIV/AIDS, both prevention, and treatment for the disease. Health is an important topic in the LGTB community, though there are several other important topics, such as education, politics, and international cooperation, all of which are discussed in FELGTB’s annual conferences. They talk about the most important challenges and triumphs of that year in these categories and more, and discuss what to do moving forward. And what they can’t accomplish alone, they accomplish by teaming up with others. “The Federation works with governments, political parties, trade unions and social organizations”[23] to accomplish its goals of awareness, equality, and acceptance.
