Madrid is a city designed for all tastes and inclinations. Whether you�re gay, lesbian or bisexual, there are activities, bars, clubs, and places of interest for everyone to enjoy and share. Perhaps one of the best-known gay areas in the city is Chueca. This neighbourhood is right in the centre of Madrid, just off Gran V�a. It's a tightly compact area, actually two areas a short distance apart. The northern end of the neighbourhood is mainly the area of straight college students, but the central Plaza Chueca provides a vibrant mixture of heterosexuals and homosexuals.

A few years ago this neighbourhood was a dangerous area where drugs and male prostitution were rampant. However, Madrid's increasingly growing and affluent homosexual community has made Chueca one of the most fashionable and cosmopolitan areas of Madrid. Furthermore, the cultural diversity and variety of Chueca provides an infinity of leisure and entertainment options night and day. Chueca shines especially bright at night. In this atmosphere it is easy to see movie, music, fashion and theatre celebrities.

Madrid's gay and lesbian community stages a large pride festival each year, drawing revellers from all across Spain. The "Gay Pride Festival" (Dia del Orgullo Gay) takes place on the last weekend of June, when Chueca becomes the centre of attraction and a truly vibrant and active area for gays and straights alike. In fact, Chueca is one of the most active areas during this celebration. Shows, concerts, and slogans proclaim with pride to the whole world that it is party time for the gay community. This celebration is now one of the biggest festivals in Spain, for both homosexuals and heterosexuals, with well over a million people on the streets. Furthermore, Madrid has been designated EuroPride capital for 2007, and there will be a series of events leading up to the traditional Gay Parade procession on the 30th June.

For further information about gay culture, nightlife, medical and legal assistance in Madrid, visit or call Gai Inform (C. Carretas 12, 3-2a, 28012 Madrid, Phone 91/523-0070). The main gay organization here is Coordinadora Gay de Madrid (c/Fuencarral 37 Phone: 915 224 517 Mon-Fri 5-9pm, Aug from 7pm). The Chueca website is full of information about everything going on in the area.

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