Thousands of people turned out for a pared-down Pride in Madrid on Saturday, with floats and carriages missing because of precautions to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Even with attendance capped at 25,000, the mood was festive, with streets festooned with rainbow-coloured paraphernalia.

Some marchers carried banner promoting the proposed change of the law to promote Trans rights
Some marchers carried banner promoting the proposed change of the law to promote Trans rights AFP / OSCAR DEL POZO

The slogan this year: was "Human rights are not negotiable, they are legislated: comprehensive Trans Law now".

It reflected moves to pass a law to allow any Spanish citizen 16 or over to change their registered sex.

Madrid's Pride march
Madrid's Pride march AFPTV / Noemi GRAGERA

The legislation would remove a requirement for applicants to first get medical reports supporting the move. If passed, Spain will become one of very few countries to allow self-determination of gender.

"We're making history with Pride 2021," she said.

Podemos is backing the proposed law in the face of reticence from its socialist coalition partners.