Barcelona has officially presented its candidacy to host WorldPride 2030. The announcement was made on June 4 in Washington D.C., during a symbolic event held at the Spanish Cultural Center, with the presence of institutional voices from different continents, entities in defense of human rights and representatives of the LGTBIQ+ community.
The initiative, promoted by the Pride Barcelona team, seeks not only to host one of the most important events globally in terms of visibility and rights, but also to send a clear and brave message: in times of setbacks, diversity is defended.
A collective project with local roots
The candidacy does not start from scratch. It is supported by 39 social entities that are an active part of the Catalan associative fabric. This community base is, according to its promoters, one of the great strengths of the project.
Key figures such as Maria Giralt (vice president and director of the social area), Andoni Ibáñez (responsible for the WorldPride Barcelona 2030 project) and Roger Presseguer (Pride Barcelona organization) were present at the presentation event, who presented the vision that underpins the proposal: a global platform for celebration, culture, resistance and visibility.
“Barcelona has always been a pioneering city. It all began here, in 1977, with the first demonstration of the State. We do not want to forget that history, but rather build on it,” Giralt recalled.
Institutional support and international projection
The proposal has solid political support. Representatives such as Julio del Valle (Government of Spain), Alberto Lacasta (Generalitat de Catalunya) and Javier Rodríguez (Barcelona City Council) attended the event, as well as members of Turespaña, the Catalan Tourism Agency and Tourism of Barcelona.
This institutional support reinforces the ambition of the project: to consolidate Barcelona as the global capital of LGTBIQ+ rights, without losing sight of the human and collective dimension of the struggle.
“It’s not just about putting on a great event, but about creating a space where no one has to hide, where we can all feel safe and celebrated,” said Andoni Ibáñez.
Culture, rights and memory as axes of the project
Barcelona’s candidacy puts culture at the center as a tool for social transformation. “There is no pride without memory. There is no future without inclusion. There is no WorldPride without human rights,” said Roger Presseguer.
The 2025 edition of Pride Barcelona will also serve as a dress rehearsal. From June 28 to July 19, the city will be the scene of multiple social, cultural and sports activities, led by local groups and culminating with the great demonstration. “We celebrate because we resist. And we resist because we exist,” said Ibáñez.
Barcelona, present in the heart of world Pride
In addition to the institutional event, the Pride Barcelona team actively participated in the WorldPride parade in Washington D.C. with his own bus, making his candidacy visible among thousands of attendees. They were also part of the March for Freedom, reaffirming the city’s commitment to the global defense of LGTBIQ+ rights.
This trip marks the beginning of the path towards 2030. A path that, as those who have been traveling it for decades know, is full of challenges, but also hope.
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