The LGBTQ Culture That Paved the Way in Spain

Libérate is a well-deserved tribute to those artists, films, songs, and performance venues that brought back the color and sparkle — of sequins, of course — to a country that had been living in black and white for too long. A homage to that LGBTQ culture that, even in the grayest Spain, managed to forge a path by overcoming adversity, evading censorship, and defeating the distrust of a society that was still far from tolerant.

Through nearly a hundred entries arranged like a dictionary, journalist Valeria Vegas compiles a multitude of essential references — and role models — to understand the role played by gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans women and men, drags, transformists, and allies of the community in Spanish culture. A historical journey that begins in the early 1960s, with the premiere of the film Diferente or the appearance of Coccinelle on Madrid’s Gran Vía, passes through the turbulent years of the Transition, and reaches the early 21st century, reminding us that just a decade ago there were still territories of freedom to conquer.

In the words of its author, “perhaps this book will serve to do justice to all those careers built on stage. Because the history of our LGBTQ culture is still being written, and we must start by organizing what has already happened, precisely and reliably, giving all the role models the place they deserve. Being aware of our past will allow us to lay the foundations of our future.”