The title of the winning and finalist novel will be announced in May, within the cultural activities programme of 'Maspalomas Pride Freedom'
Fernando Ilarduya: “With this agreement, we reinforce our commitment to culture and the visibility of LGTBIQ+ realities, through literature”
'Freedom Asociación LGBT', organizer of the international Maspalomas Pride Freedom event, has signed a sponsorship agreement for the Diverse Literature Prize, organized by Editorial Siete Islas, making Gran Canaria the host of the 2025 edition of this literary contest, one of the most important in Spain.
Following the success of the first and second editions, the Diverse Literature Prize returns in 2025, organized by MADO, Editorial Siete Islas, Asociación Pasaje Begoña and the Madrid Pride Show Cultural Festival, and with sponsorships from Ritual Hotels and Shangay magazine.
As a novelty, the sponsorship of the non-profit association, 'Freedom Asociación LGBT', is added, which in addition to providing the winner with the prize money of the contest, will host the awards ceremony and announce the title of the winning and finalist novel, which will be announced in May 2025, within the cultural activities program of the 'Maspalomas Pride Freedom' event, in Gran Canaria. Later, in July, it will be presented on the peninsula, within the cultural program of Madrid Pride (MADO), organized by Madrid Orgullo Muestra t.
The competition, which was created to promote reading, contribute to raising awareness about the current challenges of the LGTBIQ+ community, fight against prejudice, hate speech and any other type of discrimination, has grown every year and has become a benchmark within the LGTBIQ+ cultural scene in Spain. The jury of the award is made up of renowned LGTBI+ activists and specialists from the world of literature, education and culture.
The rules of the literary competition, which will be presented next week, establish all the details for participation, such as the characteristics of the candidate novels, conditions and deadlines for submitting the works.
The world of culture continues to lack LGTBIQ+ references and, for this reason, this initiative helps to continue making visible and normalising people who identify with an identity, gender expression or sexual orientation different from heterosexuality.
“ With this agreement, we reinforce our commitment to culture and the visibility of LGBTQ+ realities through literature. It is an honor for Freedom LGBT Association to support this competition and be part of a project that promotes diversity and respect,” stated FREEDOM President Fernando Ilarduya.
'Freedom Asociación LGBT', with many years of experience celebrating diversity and LGBTQ+ pride in Maspalomas, continues its commitment to promote and reinforce the message of freedom, equality, celebration and unity throughout society, as well as promoting care and respect for the environment in the municipality and its biodiversity, and addressing specific challenges, such as preventing the problem of drug addiction, which also affects many LGBT people, due to discrimination and social pressure.
This literary award, in addition to the sponsorship of the prestigious Shangay magazine and the renowned Ritual Hoteles business group, has the support of the Chrysallis state Federation, several regional LGTBIQ+ Federations, the Pedro Zerolo Foundation, the Manolita Chen Foundation and more than 50 LGTBIQ+ entities across the country.
