Spain

Demographics

Estimated Total Population:

47.08 million

World Bank, 2019

Estimated SGM Population:

N/A

Estimated Total SGM Adult Population:

N/A

Estimated % of SGM Adults (18+):

6.9%

Statista, 2016

Spain was one of the first countries to legalize same-sex marriage, which it did in 2005with the goal of equality for all in mind (Moscati, 2010), and it is relatively progressive when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights. Spain also allowed full adoption rights for LGBT couples in 2005, and in 2007 allowed transgender people to change their IDs without surgery (Calvo, 2011). Despite this, the Catholic Church has proved to be an obstacle, and has served a role in the absence of LGBTQIA+ -related subject matter in schools (Calvo, 2011).

Spain's Laws and Policies from ILGA World Report (2019)

RECOGNITION

Marriage for Same-Sex Couples	Yes
Civil Unions	No
Joint Adoption	Yes
Second Parent Adoption	Yes

PROTECTION

Employment Nondiscrimination Laws	Yes
Broad Protections	Yes
Criminalization of Violence	Yes
Ban of Conversion Therapy	No

CRIMINALIZATION

Consensual Same-Sex Acts are Legal?	Yes
Gender	Does Not Apply
Max Penalty (Yrs in Prison)	Does Not Apply

Selected Published Studies, Reports, and Other Documents

Calvo, K., & Pichardo, J. I. (2011). Sexualities transformed? Inside visions of sexual, social and political change in Spain. DOI: 10.1177/1363460711415214, From https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1363460711415214?casa_token=xBVoHj8bdRgAAAAA:Y6qUUhy0fXBzCt31TTVhj_GYfB_kAjWYywyhIunpGxZc8yJv3T8fezzWEMjZq3CGSsu0-y7tZNdVHQ

Calvo, K., & Trujillo, G. (2011). Fighting for love rights: Claims and strategies of the LGBT movement in Spain.Sexualities, 14(5), 562-579. DOI: 10.1177/1363460711415330, From https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1363460711415330?casa_token=do_D8pnOcmgAAAAA:cAZKibRfdg5gDoRhBYVzHTXpxpzcB2PQ87wzLGFu6dOR1pdUQPjxkb09svmKHhDcjJf6kaayg79TWA

Galán, J. I. P., Puras, B. M., & Riley, R. L. (2009). Achieving real equality: A work in progress for LGBT youth in Spain.Journal of LGBT Youth, 6(2-3), 272-287. DOI: 10.1080/19361650902897581

Grau, B. E. (2016). Activism and Digital Practices in the Construction of an LGTB Sphere in Spain. Dados, 59(3), 755-787. https://doi.org/10.1590/00115258201691

Moscati, M. F. (2010). Trajectory of reform: Catholicism, the state and the civil society in the developments of LGBT rights. Liverpool Law Review, 31(1), 51-68. DOI 10.1007/s10991-010-9072-y, From https://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=e3763c9e-b57f-4e61-9a88-ad8820d377ae%40sessionmgr4006

Platero, R. (2007). Love and the state: Gay marriage in Spain. Feminist Legal Studies, 15(3), 329-340. DOI 10.1007/s10691-007-9064-z, From https://www.researchgate.net/profile/R_Platero_Mendez/publication/227165488_Love_and_the_State_Gay_Marriage_in_Spain/links/0046352b5b69012b82000000/Love-and-the-State-Gay-Marriage-in-Spain.pdf