Barcelona’s first female mayor Ada Colau has discussed her bisexuality for the first time during a prime-time interview on Spanish television, .
Speaking to host Jorge Javier Javier Vázquez on Saturday Deluxe, Colau candidly spoke about having relationships with both men and women while studying in Italy.
"I had a long-term relationship with an Italian woman, first with a man and then with her," Colau said in the interview translated from Spanish.
"It was the first time I fell in love with a woman, it was a long relationship, two years.
“We had a lot of gay friends, it was part of our environment. I'm not explaining it, but I do not have to hide it, either,” she said.
The 42-year-old mayor, who is known for her progressive political stance, said society is increasingly becoming more accepting of the LGBT+ community.
"We live in a modern society where everyone has to love whoever they want, as long as they respect others," Ada Colau said.
Colau has been praised by Spanish LGBT+ groups for discussing her sexuality on such a public platform and helping to improve bi-visibility.
"We value very positively that the topic of bisexuality has been placed in the public debate with such naturalness and honesty, even though it has not been identified with a label,” LGBT+ activist Amanda Rodriguez told .
“Politicians have the double responsibility of being honest and of being references, especially for generations to come, they need to find on television and in their daily lives these models in which to look,” she said.
Some media outlets described the interview as a “coming out” but Colau herself says she’s never hidden her sexuality.
