The vindicative speech by Mónica Naranjo at the massive 'Pride in the Plaza' in Seville: "They are never going to put us in a closet again"

The Plaza de España in Seville became the setting for the so-called Orgullo en la Plaza (Pride in the Plaza), an event promoted by Icónica Santalucía Sevilla Fest that gathered 18,000 people in a sold-out event with a strong presence of pop culture linked to the LGTBIQ+ community.

The show was hosted by Xenon Spain and featured performances by artists such as Mónica Naranjo, Rebeca, Raúl, Papá Levante, and Laura Gallego, on a night marked by great musical hits like Sobreviviré or Duro de pelar, which were sung along by the audience.

The organization highlighted that the format seeks to consolidate itself as an “open and participatory” proposal, combining music, humor, and spectacle in a festive environment with a vocation for continuity within the city's cultural calendar.

The event transformed the Plaza de España into a space colored with rainbow hues, where the LGTBIQ+ flag had a constant presence, reinforcing the symbolic nature of the event as a collective celebration within the framework of Pride in Seville.

Full speech by Mónica Naranjo at Orgullo en la Plaza

“I have been linked my whole life, both personally and professionally, to you. My whole life. Thank God I had young parents, who were always very linked and immersed in a community where being gay was an open secret back then, and especially having a partner.

And that is why today I understand, more than ever at 52 years old, why my music has helped so much to put words to what you couldn't. Because many times you lived it in secret, in a closet and without role models.

I remember as if it were yesterday the first time I was offered a cover here in our country, in Shangay magazine. They called the record company and told them: "Hey, we want to dedicate a cover to this girl who comes from Mexico." And the label boss called me and said: "Yes, but this is for a magazine for faggots." Look, I say: "this ignorant... he's the head of design at Sony, we're doing well." Not only did I do that cover, but I did many more.

And, without realizing it, 30 years have passed, walking together, taking the life that belongs to us, without asking permission or forgiveness. In these years they have called me lesbian, dyke, bisexual, trans, transvestite, queer... and in the end, the only thing these people have done is exalt what I am.

Remember, guys: no one... never again will they put us in a fucking closet. Happy pride, family.”