Spain: Madrid to host 2017 WorldPride

BY DANIELA COSTA – More than 80 delegates from around the world have chosen Madrid, Spain’s capital, as the host venue of WorldPride in 2017.

Delegates voted unanimously for the city at the annual meeting of InterPride, held in Boston on Oct 7.

Representatives of the Office of Tourism of the City of Madrid and members of the Association of Entrepreneurs and Professionals for Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender Madrid (AEGAL) presented the Spanish capital’s bid.

“We know that the eyes of the international LGBT community will be focused on our city,” says Juan Carlos Alonso, an AEGAL member. “We will not disappoint because we are fully prepared to host the largest WorldPride in history.”

Madrid previously hosted 2007 EuroPride.

“This positions Madrid in the world as a true gateway to diversity and an example of coexistence,” Alonso says.

Representatives for Berlin and Sydney also presented bids to host in 2017.

Hosting WorldPride in Madrid is estimated to cost half a million euros ($634,000 Canadian).

Rome, Jerusalem and London have previously hosted the event. In London, last-minute changes saw official events cancelled and the parade scaled back.

In 2014, WorldPride will take place in Toronto, while New York will play host in 2019, marking the 50th anniversary of the city’s Stonewall riots.

Landing Image: BlogHotelesGlobales

Born and raised in Toronto, I graduated from Ryerson University’s journalism undergraduate program (with a minor in politics) in 2013. My relationship with Daily Xtra began as a student internship that then flowed into regular freelance contributions. I’ve written many lengthy feature pieces, as well as plenty of news stories. I’m all about all things LGBT, as you can probably tell from the various topics I have covered.

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