SPAIN: Hundreds demonstrate in Madrid against Pope Benedict and defend same sex partnerships and families as the pontiff celebrates World Youth Day

Record ID: 277548

  • Title: SPAIN: Hundreds demonstrate in Madrid against Pope Benedict and defend same sex partnerships and families as the pontiff celebrates World Youth Day
  • Date: 21st August 2011
  • Summary: SAME COUPLE LOOKING AT LITTLE GIRL AS SHE DRAWS ON THE FLOOR HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SHOUTING COUPLE LOOKING COUPLE OF WOMEN WITH LITTLE BOY
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain, Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Politics,Religion,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA81AHSIFIMJH3OO8QTZPBSVD4B
  • Story Text: Gay activists staged a protest to defend same sex partnerships and families on Saturday (August 20), the latest in a series of demonstrations against Pope Benedict's four-day visit for World Youth Week celebrations..
    About 100 people, mostly couples with children, gathered in Chueca, the hub of Madrid's gay scene.
    "We are protesting because we are against what has been said against our family and because we feel attacked and believe we need to be taken as a normal family and people need to be aware of our reality- even to know how normal it can be, that's all," one demonstrator said.
    "The Catholic Church has insulted us for days and days. So what I defend is my family," Mili Hernandez a gay and lesbian activist said at the demonstration.
    Spain's legalisation of abortion on demand last year and gay marriage in 2005 have stoked tensions between Spain's Socialist government and the once overwhelmingly powerful Roman Catholic Church in the country.
    Benedict's trip to Spain has been marred by controversy and protests. It has reignited criticism by Los Indignados (The Indignants), a group whose mainly young members occupied Madrid's Puerta del Sol square in May to protest against high unemployment and government spending cuts.
    On Wednesday (August 17) a protests by thousands of demonstrators marching against the cost of the Pope's visit turned violent as police tried to clear the iconic Puerta del Sol square.
    LGBT
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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