The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares (stock photo)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation has announced the creation of an Ambassador-at-Large for LGTBIQ+ Rights, a pioneering figure who will centralise and strengthen Spain's international action in defence of sexual and gender diversity. This initiative is part of the Government's strategy of feminist and human rights diplomacy, included in Spain's Foreign Action Strategy (2025-2028), and consolidates Spain's leadership after assuming the co-presidency of the Equal Rights Coalition together with Colombia in 2024.
Strategic functions
The Ambassador-at-Large for LGTBIQ+ rights will coordinate cross-departmental policies with other units of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promote partnerships with civil society and multilateral organisations, and coordinate rapid responses to LGTBIQ+ rights violations around the world.
In line with what was approved in the Foreign Action Strategy, one of its priorities will be the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships in countries where they are still persecuted and combating the rise of hate speech on social networks.
In addition, it will work in synergy with the members of the Equal Rights Coalition to implement its main lines of action. This announcement reinforces Spain's active role at the forefront of the Coalition, the main intergovernmental alliance (44 countries) for LGTBIQ+ rights.
"With this figure, Spain and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs take a very important step in the defence of the LGTBIQ+ community. We not only respond to global urgency, but also build networks with civil society. In the face of the temptation to retreat, LGTBIQ+ rights are the decisive frontier of democracy in the 21st century. Spain will not be neutral in the face of any backtracking on human rights," says Minister Albares.
Foreign Affairs celebrates LGTBIQ+ Pride
In addition, on 28 June, International LGTBIQ+ Pride Day 2025, the foreign ministers of Spain and 14 countries have joined their voices, at the initiative of Spain, in a joint communiqué and video in favour of equal rights for LGTBIQ+ people and to end the criminalisation of same-sex relationships.
In addition, the Ministry's headquarters in Marqués de Salamanca and Santa Cruz Palace, where the flags also hang, as well as all the headquarters of the Red de Casas led by the Ministry (America, Asia, Africa, Arab, Sepharad-Israel and Mediterranean) have been lit up in the colours of the LGTBIQ+ flag.
Commitment to Budapest Pride
On the occasion of International Pride Day, Foreign Affairs also wanted to express Spain's firm support for the Pride March in Budapest on 28 June, in a statement of support for the entire LGTBIQ+ community in Hungary and in Europe.. The communiqué recalls that any intention to ban would be a violation of basic and founding rights of the European Union, as enshrined in the Treaty on European Union and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Non official translation
