Gay Guide Portugal

In strictly Catholic Portugal, parliament voted in favour of the introduction of homosexual marriage at the beginning of January 2010. The vote is a great success in arch-conservative Portugal. In 2016, laws came into force that allow same-sex couples to adopt children and lesbian couples to have artificial insemination. The age of consent in Portugal is 16 years. Gays and lesbians experience a high level of acceptance here and are part of society; they often mix with heterosexuals in bars and clubs. There are several organisations throughout Portugal dedicated to different gay and lesbian groups and which organise the weekly radio programme "Vidas Alternativas". Gay Prides in Lisbon and Porto are growing in popularity and the Lisbon International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is among the best in Europe. The first Gay Pride on the Azores in Ponta Delgada took place in 2012 with more than 2000 participants. Portugal is a beautiful country and the cradle of the first world empire to open up to globalisation. The country is rich in history and has extremely pleasing landscapes and a diverse coastline. Portuguese language and culture can be found all over the world, from Brazil to Goa. Portugal is now enjoying growing popularity as a gay holiday destination: eccentric Lisbon, one of Europe's most glorious capitals, baroque Porto surrounded by historic towns and the unique wine-growing areas of Douro and Vinho Verde, the Algarve with its breathtaking coastline and pleasant climate, the incomparably beautiful islands of Madeira and the Azores, as well as numerous historic cities and last but not least the delicious cuisine and excellent wines.