Spain: Profits Under The Rainbow : Ref: 4436

Lenght: 8'37''

0`05

These scenes go long back. Spain in the 70's. Homosexuals go to the streets, demanding more rights - and risking a prison sentence. Under the Franco regime homosexual acts were illegal. Still 1978, three years after the dictatorship hundreds of people due to their sexual orientation ended up in prison.  Only homosexual criminal records from many years ago could be deleted.

0`40

Sitges, a small village south of Barcelona, during the time of the fascists was the center of the liberal counter-culture in Spain. The influence of the activists was not without success.
Today homosexuals marry, adopt children - and nobody complains- at least not in the liberal Catalan population. Allegations, in which gays and lesbians accused of shamelessness and exhibitionism, are rare.

And so Siges relies  a lot on "pink" tourism. The carnival being first major event.  Many of the tourists that come from all over Europe are gay.

1`46

Homosexuals are coveted customers. Most well paid, educated, sophisticated. They do good business too - even in times of crisis, tells us Luis Enriquez, the Spanish hotel owner who grew up in Switzerland.

2`00 OT Luis Enriquez, hotel owners and activists (German)

2`35

Although, at first sight is not really obvious, but the economic crisis most certainly has Barcelona in its grip.

2`46

It is the sovereign dealing with otherness, which helps cities like Barcelona exist, in the rivalry of the other cities. A climate of openness and tolerance, attracting not only gay, but other thinkers and creative types in the city.

3`14

The more gay the city the more liberal and economically successful it is, says one who should know it best.

3`21 OT Jordi Madaula, boutique owner (slow)

"We have no children to look after, we do not have to pay for school, what we earn we spend on ourselves. For this reason, we also like to travel, we dress well, and enjoy the nightlife. (3 sec) The gay community in Spain is becoming larger and more visible and Barcelona is a magnet for gay tourists - and of course, they spend in a carefree manner. 

4`04

Manufacturers and service providers say homosexuals are increasingly targeted. This clientele prefers a stimulating environment with trendy bars, lively arts and culture scene and attractive accommodations.
The Gay Tourism flushes a lot of money in the city. Homosexuals give three to four times as much as the average traveller.
The first luxury hotel designed for gay visitors is the Axel in Barcelona. In times of economic crises, the key to survival is knowing how to specialise.

4`38 OT Joan Juliet, Axel (slow)

"We live in crisis, we call it even the mother of all crises, and tourism is quite affected. But there are sectors and niches, such as the gay tourism, which apparently is a relatively crisis-proof. (5 sec) the gays who live in the country are attracted more and more often to the big cities because they are far more liberal than the villages. They feel among themselves and enjoy that. And it is beneficial to businesses in Barcelona. "

5 `30

Advertising and media have been the first to target the Rainbow customers. Every Friday a 30 minute radio show runs on Catalan Radio station - exclusively with gay content, pure advertising for their lifestyles - and a success with the listeners.

5`52 OT David Marti, a radio presenter, radio Catalan

"More and more companies, which are normally not involved in the gay community-oriented, start rethink. The Rainbow's customers have become a very important economic segment and the business with gays has a rapid and economic benefits.
The gay business helps the economy boom.  Companies that try to attract gay clientele tend to keep them as their long-term loyal customers- and that indicates great economic potential."

6`27

For some people unusually intimate male friendships are a "prick in the eye" .The conservative Partido Popular storm ran against the legalisation of gay marriage. The voters have punished them for this attitude. Since then, most party members are suddenly not so prudish anymore.

6 `48 OT Belen Paredes, Partido Popular (slow)

"There are concerns from our side that too much liberalisation of the economy, albeit mainly in gay tourism undoubtedly very successful, might lead to creation of some kind of ghettos in certain districts. This could be a problem."

7`19

Homosexuality is in large parts of Spanish society is still a taboo. Most gays and lesbians keep their predisposition for themselves.
Even homosexual lifestyles are not nearly accepted by our society, the opportunities and the economic catching up is enormous.

7`38 OT Joan Juliet (slow)

"It would be a fantastic utopia, one would think that there is no discrimination against gays anymore. Undoubtedly, the Spanish society made great strides in the last twenty years, in terms of gay marriage or equal rights, not just liberal laws. But the outcasting is still a huge problem. (5 sec) There is a lot to be changed, because still quite a few people in our society see homosexuality as a disease, or view it as deviant. "

8`37

It almost seemed as homosexuality found its place in the society. Many artists, politicians, media people came out as gay and it did not affect their reputation. However, far from the lime light reality is different for the ordinary people. Therefore, the success of many gay entrepreneurs does not reflect economic reality as a whole.

Inserts:
Report: Alexander Steinbach
Camera: Facundo Beraudi
Editor: Peter Mück