Madrid, spain

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity of people, thought, experiences, and backgrounds is essential to the mission of JHU Madrid. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive environment that supports, fosters and celebrates all the ways in which our broad differences make us better people. In this sense, we understand diversity, and we strive to appreciate the diversity inherent in our students. At JHU Madrid, we believe studying abroad gives students the opportunity to gain substantive understanding of other perspectives in the world and will lead to a deeper awareness of themselves, their educational goals, and society. 

 

Spain, and Madrid in particular, is welcoming; however, members of historically excluded and underrepresented identities may experience challenges and/or microaggressions abroad. Our staff is here to provide you with support.

 

We acknowledge that studying overseas with JHU Madrid, or in general, may be more challenging for some students. We’d love to hear from you! Don’t hesitate to contact the program personnel to propose new initiatives or discuss any current topics you might be interested in regarding the identities reflected below and the innumerable identities that make up our JHU Madrid community at jhumadrid@jhu.edu

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Identities Abroad

We understand that travelling for the first time may be intimidating. We are here to guide you along the way. 

 

Do not be afraid to ask questions! You have different resources to answer all your concerns/questions about travelling before arrival. 

 

Flights: 

  • When booking flights, make sure to have all your documents with you: passport, acceptance letter, visas (if necessary), etc. 
  • Save your travel agency’s phone number in your contacts list.
    • If booking through a third-party provider (skyscanner, kiwi, travel2b, etc.), all arrangements must be done through them, not your airline. 
  • Make sure to let us know your travel itinerary by filling out the Travel Information Questionnaire on Terradota.
  • Travel Interruptions: 
  • If you experience interruptions on your way to Madrid please let us know
    • U.S.A: 1-410-516-2512
    • Spain: +34 673 259 338 / +34 699 180 093

 

Safety: 

  • Before travelling outside the U.S., sign up to the State Department’s STEP program to receive important safety notifications abroad. 
  • Make sure you have your doctor’s letter regarding any prescribed medication you will be brining. 
  • Keep all of your belongings on your person. Avoid being pickpocket by securing all your bags with a lock. 
  • Contact JHU Madrid staff of any incidents once in Madrid.
  • Download and register the Healix International Travel App with JHU’s policy number (found in your student handbook).

Madrid’s LGBTQIA+ community has had a long history in Spain. Being the capital, Madrid definitely is very open and welcoming having its own queer friendly neighborhood, Chueca.

  • LGBT at UC3M
  • COGAM:  LGBT association in Madrid since 1986. There are weekly meeting for all gropus of differen identities and groups geared towards those 20-30 years old.
  • FELGTBI: State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Trans, Bisexuals, Intersexuals+
  • Madrid LGTBIA+: events around Madrid
  • Madrid Pride: events begin in June
  • El Hombre Trans: association for trans men. They hold meetings, events and roundtable discussions throughout the year (Metro: Ventas)
  • Berkana: First bookstore specialized in LGBTQIA+ literature

For more information on organizations around the Community of Madrid, feel free to explore this webpage.

 

Academic Resources:

  • Francos’s Spain, Queer Nation, Gema Pérez Sanchez, University of Miami (2000)
  • This Article discusses how, through its juridical apparatus, the Spanish dictatorship of Francisco Franco sought to define and to contain homosexuality, followed by examples of how underground queer activism contested homophobic laws. The Article concludes by analyzing a literary work to illustrate the social impact of Francoism’s homophobic law against homosexuality.
  • https://www.europeana.eu/en/blog/the-history-of-lgbtq-rights-in-spain
  • Ugarte Pérez, Javier (2008). Una Discriminación Universal: La Homosexualidad bajo el Franquismo y La Transición. Egales. Madrid.
  • Petit, J. (2003) 25 Años Más. Una Perspectiva sobre el Pasado, el Presente y Futuro del Movimiento de Gays, Lesbianas, Bisexuales y Transexuales. Barcelona: Icaria.
  • Sánchez-Pérez, G. (2007) Queer Transitions in Contemporary Spanish Culture. Albany: Suny Press.
  • Palau, D. (1988) ‘Historia del feminismo español, Meyrd.
  • Llamas, R., and F. Vila. (1999) ‘Passion for Life. A History of the Lesbian and Gay Movement in Spain’, in A. Barry, J. W. Duyvendak, and A. Krouwel (eds). The Global Emergence of Gay and Lesbian Politics; National Imprints of a Worldwide Movement, pp. 214-41.Temple University Press.
  • Herrero Brasas, J. A. (2001) La Sociedad Gay: Una Invisible Minoría. Madrid: Foca Universidad.
  • Trujillo, Gracia (2022) El feminismo queer es para todo el mundo. Los Libros de La Catarata. Madrid
  • SOS Racismo: Antiracist non-profit organization that fights against racism and xenophobia. They hold meetings, roundtable discussions and public events thought the year and offer resources to report racist and/or hate crimes. 
  • Conciencia-Afro: an artistic and culture hub that focuses on the African diaspora. 
  • Afroféminas: a afro-feminist organization in Madrid that publishes articles through an antiracist perspective. 
  • Asociación de Estudiantes Latinoamericanxs Abya Yala: Latinx antiracist student association at Universidad Complutense de Madrid. 
  • Melanin Madrid: U.S. inmigrant facebook group that offer various resources in Madrid.

 

English Speaking 

 

 

Spanish Speaking Services: 

 

 

Information from esmadrid.es

For those seeking to connect to their heritage by coming to Spain, there is no better way than by experiencing the culture(s), language, and gastronomy first-hand. 

 

We receive students from a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, but finding something to do in Madrid is not too hard!

 

  • Casa América: A cultural center dedicated to spread and educate the public about Latin America
  • Museo de América: Spanish museum with Latin American exhibitions. Holds one of the four mayan codices in the world. 
  • Casa de México: Mexican cultural center sponsored by the government of Mexico.

 

More resources underway! 

Resources underway! 

 

In comparison to other European capitals, Madrid is relatively an affordable city. JHU Madrid covers most of your meals, though day-to-day expenses may add up quickly. To give you a sense of what it’s like to live in Madrid, here are a couple of resources for your reference: