Cartagena - Guide for Gays, Lesbians and Queers

Cartagena is the big port city of the Murcia region on the Costa Cálida and has around 220,000 inhabitants. It is also the seat of the regional parliament, the Asamblea Regional.

There is currently no queer bar, club or sauna in Cartagena that independent gay guides can confirm. Queer life in the city runs mainly through GALACTYCO, the association of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans activists of Cartagena and the surrounding area, chaired by Mar Tornero.

GALACTYCO is politically visible. When the Vox party moved in the regional parliament for the immediate repeal of the region's LGBTI law, the association and a group from Los Alcázares called a protest outside the Asamblea Regional. The Murcia law is meant to guarantee social equality for LGBTI people and to counter discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The highlight of the year is EnorgulleCT, the Pride programme the association runs together with the city council in the second half of June. It includes talks, exhibitions, family and sports activities, concerts and the Gala del Orgullo Cartagenero at the Casino on Calle Mayor, where awards go to people and institutions that stand up for LGBTIQ+ rights. It ends with a march from the Antiguas Puertas de Madrid down to the port, followed by a big party.

For visitors, this means the best way to connect in Cartagena is through GALACTYCO, and the best time is June.