Lloret de Mar, in Girona, will hold its sixth annual “Lloret Against LGTBI-phobia” event this Sunday, 17 May, at the Teatre at 19:00. This gathering marks the International Day Against LGTBI-phobia and aims to reaffirm the municipality's commitment to diversity, equality, and human rights.
Drag queen Clover Bish, the first cisgender woman to compete on Drag Race España, will host the event. Senator and activist Carla Antonelli is also scheduled to speak, addressing current challenges for the LGTBIQ+ community. She will discuss hate speech and public policies for protection and inclusion with local journalist Daniel Borrego from RTVE.
The gala will also feature a Chinese pole circus act. This performance draws inspiration from real LGTBI-phobic attacks that have occurred in Lloret over the past year. These scenes will highlight the ongoing need to combat hate speech and violence against the community. The evening will conclude with an artistic interpretation by Narcissa Dolish, a contestant from Miss Travesti Costa Brava 2025, based on the murder of an LGTBI person, honouring all victims of LGTBI-phobic violence.
Institutional Support and Awards
Officials from the Catalan government will attend, showing institutional support for the defence of LGTBIQ+ rights and freedoms. These include Gina Pol, Secretary for Equalities, and Alberto Lacasta, Director General of LGTBI+ Public Policies. During the event, the Golden Turtle Award will be presented by the PLURALS association. This award recognises individuals or groups for their work and commitment to defending LGTBIQ+ rights.
Rise in Aggressions Across Spain
This year's event takes place amid a reported increase in aggressions and hate incidents against LGTBIQ+ individuals in Spain. According to the “State of Hate: LGTBI+ State 2025” report by the State LGTBI+ Federation, physical or verbal aggressions against the community more than doubled in one year, rising from 6.8% in 2024 to 16.3% in 2025. The study estimates that over 812,000 LGTBI+ individuals experienced physical or verbal aggressions in the last year, while 42.5% of the community reported experiencing some form of hate, discrimination, or harassment.
The reports specifically warn about the impact of hate speech on social media and in public spaces. They also highlight the vulnerability of young people, trans individuals, and those living in smaller municipalities. Lloret Mayor Adrià Lamelas stated that through initiatives like the gala, Lloret de Mar shows its dedication to a freer, more diverse, and respectful society. He added that the town is establishing itself as a leading destination for inclusive and safe LGTBIQ+ tourism.
