Full colour for Gay Pride in Ibiza Town

True to form and this year’s Pride Festival theme Full Colour it was an insanely bright event that embraced the entire rainbow and LGBT spectrum.

Ibiza has long been a place that welcomes diversity and thrives on its flamboyant, inclusive and non-judgemental ethos. Ibiza’s Old Town has had it’s own gay village full of bars, cafes and shops for years and the Island’s clubs are renowned for their sensational gay nights such as La Troya and Matinee. These events are packed to the rafters with drama, a touch of the theatrical, glamour and glitz and appeal to the masses regardless of their sexuality. This week alongside the ubiquitous bar and club nights Ibiza has taken it’s gay scene out into the streets with shows, theatre productions, book signings, beach events and kids entertainment. A stage was erected at the port for the weekend and was the location of entertainment on Friday and Saturday night as well as the gathering point for Sunday night’s Pride parade.

From 6pm people began to gather in the port of Ibiza old town. Two large floats appeared decked out in rainbow banners, balloons, hearts and flowers, one bore the legend of Calle de la Verge on its front whilst the other was plastered in posters for Las Libertinas lesbian club. The floats quickly filled up with a colourful crowd of excited paraders in an amazing collection of outfits and costumes; soldiers, policemen, gladiators and angels wore feathers, lycra, latex, kilts, wigs, glitter and gemstones. Thigh high boots, 7 inch heels, fishnet stockings and corsets were in abundance and some people had forsaken clothing all together for body paint or stickers instead.

Top of the list for excellent outfits were the balloon crew, a group of 6 men, women and children dressed in shiny bright leggings with matching braces and top hats with a beautiful array of long balloons streaming from their shoulders and giant wings of their chosen colours. The LAPD cop proudly flashing his rainbow banded police badge was a character, as was the flame haired red-silk robed icon riding front and centre in the lead car flanked by two black corseted, pink feather boa wearing ladies.

Spirits were high and many beers were drunk as the floats lined up to begin. Each one had it’s own DJ pumping out tunes for participants and onlookers alike and once that parade started moving the dancing did not stop.

First up in the parade were the organisers marching alongside Ibiza’s important people, council and committee members holding the parade banner bearing the words “No Te Aisles, Vive Libre! Stop Homofobia y Transfobia!” (Don't isolate yourself, live free! Stop homophobia & Transphobia!). These were followed up by some exceptionally well muscled flag bearers in speedos and masks followed by the car and two floats packed to the gills with people waving fans and flags and throwing leaflets, sweets and condoms into the crowd. The crowd were initially happy to line the streets and cheer the parade on but pretty soon the onlookers had swelled the ranks and were parading along behind and beside the floats.

The parade meandered in a blaze of colour and noise through the port, down Bartolome Rossello and then Ignacio Wallis roads before culminating on the Vara De Ray. The crowd soon surrounded a stage where showgirl Sandra Love kept the crowd hyped up dancing and cheering wildly awaiting the appearance of Spanish Pop star Marta Sanchez, who greeted the crowd before performing at the after party.

The parade was a resounding success, a carnival atmosphere pervaded all events and inclusion was definitely the order of the day. People of all ages, races, sexuality’s and genders joined in the high spirits, people in wheelchairs, people on crutches, pregnant ladies, toddlers and the elderly marched alongside each other to support the LGBT cause, raise the worlds awareness of Ibiza’s pride and to enjoy the day’s entertainment.

Safe to say that Ibiza’s second annual Pride week has been a success and here’s hoping it just keeps getting bigger, better and brighter every year!