Madrid Pride 2024 launched with a vibrant celebration, drawing an estimated one million visitors to the Spanish capital.

The festivities began with a rousing speech by four former contestants from a popular TV show, emphasizing visibility and acceptance.

This year's theme, 'Education, rights and peace: Pride that transforms,' underscores the event's dual nature as both a celebration and a protest.

However, the festivities were not without incident, as police reported a record 140 arrests in the first two days, mostly for petty theft and drug dealing.

The city has implemented extensive security measures and traffic restrictions to manage the influx of visitors, with the main parade scheduled for Saturday, July 6th.