Are you looking to know more about the gay scene in Portugal? Or do you simply want to discover the best gay areas in Lisbon? Lisbon, in particular, boasts a reputation for being one of the most gay-friendly European cities.
The Carnation Revolution, also known as the 25 April, was a bloodless revolution that ended the military dictatorship of Salazar in Indeed, civilians offered soldiers carnations and, if you do a quick Google search, you should see pictures of soldiers with these flowers poking out of their guns β viewed as a symbol of peace over war. However, it was not until , eight years later that homosexuality in Portugal was decriminalized.
Since then, the country has become increasingly progressive. You can see this in its legal rights policies, general attitudes, and the abundance of gay-friendly bars in the major cities. Lisbon has the biggest gay pride marches in Portugal that take place every summer, with over 70, pride enthusiasts taking to the streets. Porto, the gem in the north also has a superb gay pride march.
If you are ever in this part of the country, you are sure to have a good time. There are many annual gay events spread across the country, particularly in the larger cities. If you are looking into gay events, you could not be better placed than the Portuguese capital.
The Portuguese state first recognized unions for gay couples in and, in , Portugal was the eighth nation in the world and the sixth in Europe to officially certify same-sex marriages. In , same-sex couples were also granted the right to legally adopt children. Gay couples are guaranteed the same rights as heterosexual couples in all respects. To give you an example, this means that laws on marriage in regard to visas are the same. The policy on inheritance, adoption, IVF and other matters are also the same as for heterosexual couples.
