Thousands to attend Gay Pride Festivities in Benidorm

BENIDORM celebrate its Gay Pride event at the weekend.

Estimates say thousands of people turned out to enjoy the celebrations, which included the Mister Gay Spain contest, a parade of eight floats and at least 10 other decorated vehicles, as well as music and activities all through the weekend.

The event started in the l’Aigüera Park next to the ayuntamiento, where the Mister Gay Spain competition attracted hundreds of entrants. The old town was awash with the iconic rainbow flags, and at night the fun moved to Ku night club on the Levante beach.

The event was spread throughout the old town, from the Dove Park area across to Calle Tomas Ortuño, and the Plaza de la Constitucion, where a mix of some 60 national and international artists performed to the delight of the crowds.

Despite the bad luck with the weather, nothing could dampen the spirits of those involved and shades of Rio Carnival were to be seen through the weekend, with

After the float parade, there was a huge music party which had its centre in the Auditorium Julio Iglesias of l´Aigüera Park. On Saturday evening the Mayor of Benidorm, Agustin Navarro attended to give Beidorm’s official stamp of support to the event, emphasising the importance with which the gay community and gay tourism are held in the town. I

It is hoped that by holding the parade it will help highlight Benidorm’s position as one of the top gay friendly resorts in Europe.

At the same time the organisers of the event, the Benidorm Gay Businessman’s Association ( in association with ALGTB Benidorm for this event), through their spokesperson and driving force behind the event, Julia Grant, has said it was hoped to use the event as a means of raising funds for three designated charities in the country.

By Paul Deed