La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I had a couple of sightings last week that have me singing a song remotely related. Still, I’m singing and I thought you should, too. The first duo are two fashionable women out shopping in the neighborhood. The second duo are a mother and daughter entering one of the Patios of May. Their flowered blouses went well with the flowered terraces, or maybe not. As for the title of the post from the musical Cabaret, I always thought they were singing feedly deedly dee.
I got out early(ish) today and managed to see four more patios with no waiting. The streets were busy with people holding their patio tour maps, but the neighborhood I chose was quiet. I only took about 150 photos. The photo above is of our kitchen orchid which continues to bring us joy.
But now I want to share something that makes me proud (and grateful) we chose Spain as our home: Spain has been ranked the best country in Europe for LGBTQ+ rights (click here) by ILGA-Europe (European region of the International, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World), an independent, international advocacy organisation uniting over 700 organisations from 54 countries across Europe and Central Asia.
La semana pasada vi un par de cosas que me hicieron cantar una canción vagamente relacionada. Aun así, estoy cantando y pensé que ustedes también deberían hacerlo. El primer dúo son dos mujeres elegantes de compras por el barrio. El segundo dúo son una madre y su hija entrando en uno de los Patios de Mayo. Sus blusas floreadas combinaban bien con las terrazas floreadas, o tal vez no. En cuanto al título de la post del musical Cabaret, siempre pensé que cantaban feedly deedly dee.
Hoy salí temprano y pude ver cuatro patios más sin tener que esperar. Las calles estaban llenas de gente con sus mapas de recorridos por los patios, pero el barrio que elegí estaba tranquilo. Solo tomé unas 150 fotos. La foto de arriba es de nuestra orquídea de cocina, que sigue trayéndonos alegría.
Pero ahora quiero compartir algo que me llena de orgulla (y gratitud) de que hayamos elegido España como nuestro hogar: España ha sido clasificada como el mejor país de Europa en materia de derechos LGBTQ+ (haz clic aquí) por ILGA-Europa (región europea de la Asociación Internacional de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales, Trans e Intersex (ILGA World), una organización internacional y independiente de defensa de derechos que reúne a más de 700 organizaciones de 54 países de Europa y Asia Central.
Great for you to have chosen Spain 🙂 Who would have thought, in the time of Franco, that this would come to be the status of Spain for LGBTQ+ folks?
Your kitchen orchid and displays are wonderful 🙂
Judy C:
We did our research before choosing to move here. While we were talking about it, one of my aunts was incensed and asked my mother (never to me directly) “Why would they want to live in such a backward Catholic country.” I explained to my mother that the USA was the backward country.
I love the boost
Oh, heavens, that wasn’t anonymous, that was MOI, Judy C.
LOVE the boots!
Little-ole-lady prints…..not so much/oh my eyes!!
Jim:
Oh, I know. Those little prints and paired! Suede cowboy fringe boots are a rarity here. And I love those plastic heels.
Oh, my! Those two women on the crossing really couldn’t be more Spanish if they tried, could they? Those boots! The mixture of colours and fabrics! And the two old ladies really made an effort to pay tribute to their surroundings – bless ’em.
Jx
PS Spain’s always had a great gay scene, and a general actitud liberal towards us! Looking at the article, however, it seems countries are ranked by ILGA more on their legislative policies, in particular those towards trans and gender issues, rather than on the social realities, attitudes and experience of living there.
Jon:
One of those old ladies was 50ish. I wish I could have gotten a picture of them on the patio surrounded by flowers. Imagine! And, yes, it’s one thing to be a fun place to visit as a gay person, but to know the legislation is leading the way is so empowering and reassuring.
That was an interesting article that you linked on your post. I always knew Spain had a pretty liberal position when it came to LGBTQ+ rights, but I didn’t realize just how much. I am happy for you and SG that you are living in Spain!
Michael:
Of course, there are still a lot of less enlightened people in Spain but we have never once felt like we didn’t belong. We are immediately accepted as a couple and welcomed wherever we go. That was not the case for us in the USA no matter what gay mecca city we lived in.
There will always be bigots wherever one travels. It is nice to know that you have felt welcomed in Spain.
The orchid is lovely. I have a nightie with the same print as Miss Goldy Boots’ top. I’m also pretty sure that I’ve done online jigsaw puzzles with the old ladies’ shirt prints as the subjects. At least they’re not in my closet this time!
Deedles:
Do you wear cowboy fringe slippers with your nightie? Oh those old lady prints. Probably not a nice way to describe them but everyone knows exactly what we mean.
Cowboy fringe slippers? Kinky! I wonder where I can get my grubby little paws on a pair or two. Balder Half would have a heart attack!
Deedles:
I found some on eBay if you’re interested, although it would cost as much to ship to the States.
Can you blog about your pottery ?
finlaygray:
I will do that. Thanks!
Bravo (or is it brava?) to Spain! 🎉
Kelly:
I suppose it would be bravo. But either way, yes!
The photo of your orchid is wonderful. Yes I am not surprised that Spain is no 1 for LGBTQ people, I always loved Spain and I am happy that we are returning on this October cruise. The women in your photos are so stylish, this is not the case here where dumpy is a virtue.
larrymuffin:
Style is very different here as opposed to our years on the beach.
Those Boots Were Made For Walking, I wonder if that tune will be playing in your head for long.
David Godfrey:
I think I’ll stick to Two Ladies.
You were so wise to choose Spain. That said, I’m agreeably surprised that they’re gay friendly. Not my earlier impression, but that came from refugees from the Spain of Franco, now blessedly outdated. Boud
Boud:
We did a lot of research before choosing where to move and LGBTQ+ issues were of major importance. We were pleasantly surprised by what we learned about Spain at that time (and crossed other countries off our list as a result).
I often think about “where would we be able to live?” in peace. For us, we were unable to effect a change early enough (in our late 40’s / early 50’s) to become integrated elsewhere. Now we’re just going to hang in here and be thankful that we are not living in areas of the country rapidly falling miserably backwards.
My husband and I are both looking forward to the day he can retire, providing they don’t start fucking around with social security.
Rade:
We considered “escaping” to Amsterdam a long time ago while we were still solidly in our careers. It required money at that time, which we had (at that time) and we went and decided we could do it if things became unpleasant in the States, but the weather would be problematic for us. We lived in San Diego at the time. I’m glad we waited and found our way to Spain.
Yes, I saw that news item about Spain being #1 for LGBTQ rights in Europe — bravo, Spain! Be the example the rest of the world needs to follow!
Debra:
The government has to set an example like the government of Canada. Then, the people can come along.
I had read that Spain was very LGBTQ+-friendly; very!!
As for the lady in the faux fur and Lucite heels, what corner does she call home? Seriously.
Now I will be singing Two Ladies all day!
Bob:
The faux fur was more like faux or real fleece. Better in person. I love those lucite heels. Beedle-dee beedle-dee dee, I like it!
What’s with the heavy hooded fucsia jacket barely even hanging on on an obviously warm day?
ellen abbott:
I don’t know if she liked the off-the-shoulder feel or if she just didn’t want to carry it and it was too hot to wear completely.
Mitchell, the one thing that seems to have changed since we got a new internet system is that I am having a hard time downloading your entire posts and some days my comments just get lost. Today was one of those days. I’ve come back hours later and everything is clicking right along as it should. So. Here I am. Reading. Please know I’d never skip you.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
Aren’t you grateful for the new internet system? Every time, my computer installs an update, I end up having problems, and they’re completely inconsistent. For a while, I was switching between Safari and Chrome to comment on other blogs. Lately, I haven’t had to switch. They have both worked consistently.
Love, love, love the boots on the shopping women, especially the suede fringed boots. I like wearing boots myself. If you see the fringe-booted lady again, ask her where she got those because I want a pair. The small, flowered print blouses on the other ladies are a bit much, but I think we can give them a pass. The one on the left appears to be wearing solid-colored pants, or maybe a skirt, and I’m going to assume for my own mental health that the lady on the right is as well. If they were wearing floral prints with plaid bottoms or another floral print then I’d have to say no, run away, and tell someone.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
There are hundreds of options online for those boots. But if you’re like me, you’d want to try on shoes before buying them. And, yes, mother (left) and daughter (right) were both wearing solid color bottoms.
you are fortunate fellows; Spain is a fortunate country to have you.
Urspo:
We’re happy with our choice.
Lived in Barcelona for 3 years, there are days I regret leaving…though Victoria, B.C. is nice with wonderful access to nature – that’s what keeps me here – also the small town community feeling gets comfortable – it’s also very LGBTQ+ positive. Yet Barcelona – and Spain in general are so much more … ahhh…with the times?
Alison,
Victoria is incredible. I would be happy there, too.
Sometimes the hardest part of healing is realizing how quietly we learned to survive instead of truly live.
Your words carry that rare honesty that doesn’t try to impress — it simply reaches people where they are.
I think many of us are exhausted not only from life itself, but from constantly trying to appear “okay” while carrying invisible weight inside. Posts like this gently remind us that slowing down, feeling deeply, and being human are not weaknesses.
There’s something comforting in writing that doesn’t scream for attention yet still stays in the mind long after reading. Thank you for sharing this reflection. What inspired you to write this particular piece?
I always wanted to travel abroad and go to Spain! Nice to get a glimpse of it! Thank you.
Such a light and amusing moment — really enjoyed the way you captured it.
Sounds like the beginning of either a cartoon theme song or a thought trying to become music 😄
the.eldest.daughter:
I like the idea of a thought trying to become music.
I love the train a thought you share with us along with your observations. Love those matching shirts!!
There is always a hidden legend that reads comments without ever commenting 😂 hello boss how is the family 😂😂😂
Honestly Spain is an incredible nation and probably the best one to put in act the concept of democracy and human rights in Europe. Lately I am seeing a lot of hate and a lot of powerful people that want to erase the rights of minority and see Spain being like that make me happy. A beacon of light in these dark times
The Butcher:
It makes me happy to have chosen Spain as home.