The Rainbow Awards from the Ministry of Equality recognize LGBTQ+ role models such as Katy Pallàs, La Negri, and Elisabeth Martínez
The Government's event for International LGBTIQ+ Pride Day, held this year at the Costume Museum in Madrid under the slogan " Proud Spain. Leading the way in LGBTI+ rights in Europe ", has focused on some of the voices, careers and projects most committed to the defense of diversity.
Beyond the institutional component of the day, one of the most outstanding parts of the event has been the presentation of the Rainbow Awards, with which the Ministry of Equality has sought to highlight people and entities that contribute decisively to the conquest and protection of the rights of the group.
Katy Pallàs, the voice of diverse families
Among the names recognized this year is Katy Pallàs, a philologist, teacher, activist, and president for over 10 years of the Catalan Association of LGBTI+ Families (FLG). Her recognition represents institutional support for a career focused on defending the rights of diverse families, increasing the visibility of LGBTIQ+ children and adolescents , and advocating for diverse education. Pallàs 's presence among the award recipients highlights one of the key issues in current LGBTIQ+ activism : the right to form a family without discrimination, the value of community support in the face of hate speech, and the importance of education.
Pallàs asserted that “ one of our strengths is our ability to organize, to build community, and to stand up for ourselves. Even now, 49 years after Las Ramblas, we still need to be organized and united. Diverse families are dismantling patriarchy from within; we are an essential agent of change for the LGBTQIA+ movement .”
The list of award winners this year also paints a broad picture of the struggles and perspectives within the movement. The Ministry has recognized Noelia Heredia, “La Negri,” a flamenco singer-songwriter and percussionist, for her advocacy for the rights of the Roma people and the LGBTQ+ community ; lawyer and activist Ángeles Blanco, specializing in LGBTQ+ rights ; and Hugo Marlo, a singer, footballer, and trans rights advocate. The Mallorcan hotel company MarSenses has also been recognized for its commitment to inclusion and equality in the workplace, as well as for creating safe spaces for its LGBTQ+ employees.
Recognition to make intersexuality visible
Among the award winners is also Elisabeth MartinezAn actress and activist focused on raising awareness and visibility of intersexuality, a reality still underrepresented in public debate and often relegated even within institutional agendas, her recognition introduces an important dimension to this year's awards: the need to continue broadening the focus of Pride to include the voices and experiences of those who have historically been made invisible.
In that same vein of defending rights in particularly hostile contexts, the event also awarded the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Szilveszter Karácsony, and the activist Viktória Radványi , a leading figure in the LGTBIQ+ movement in Hungary and one of the people at the forefront of organizing Pride in 2025.
The list of award winners was completed by designer Daniel Chong and actresses and singers Juani Ruiz and Rosario Reina, in an edition that aimed to combine activism, culture, visibility, and social commitment. The event was hosted by Álvaro Casas González and Abigail Frías Galisteo, “Abi Power,” and also featured a musical performance by Dulzaro.
The Minister for Equality, Ana Redondo, encouraged everyone on Tuesday to continue making progress and " taking important leaps " in the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ people and fighting against those who threaten a return " to the No-DO newsreels, to the Spain of black and white ."
