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Introduction
Several years ago, Madrid was quite conservative, but today it supports LGBT rights. The city has gone through significant changes in Spain. Now, nearly 300 traffic lights are being equipped with same-sex pedestrian figures.
The action is part of the World Pride Parade. This year, Madrid is hosting the festival for the LGBT community. Additionally, the capital of Spain wants to set an example for equality and diversity in society, said the mayor, Manuela Carmena. In the long term, these pedestrian figures are intended to become a symbol of Madrid, much like the pedestrian figures in Berlin.
Additional actions are planned to extend beyond the festival day on June 26, 2017, such as rainbow-colored crosswalks. However, by that date, all of the 288 lights planned will have been replaced with the same-sex couple symbols.
For Madrid, this is a significant development because until last year, not even rainbow flags could be displayed during Christopher Street Day. The LGBT community has been fighting for their rights for 40 years. Thanks to these efforts, many things have been achieved now, said activist Boti Rodrigo to the newspaper 'El País'. Political changes have also made this possible.
In Germany too, traffic lights have been modified for CSD events, for example in Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt.