Places of recreation, places of memory: tourism in the heritagisation of LGBT+ identities

Abstract

ABSTRACT The analysis of LGBT+ memories and identities has been neglected in processes of heritagisation. This is despite numerous attempts undertaken by various institutions to promote a more inclusive notion of heritage, which incorporates cultural diversity and the demands of social sectors that have previously been ignored in heritage policies. This study contributes to the literature by examining the incipient recognition of heritage that contributes to the visibility and normalisation of sexual diversity. We focus on tourism and leisure contexts, which have played an important role in disseminating certain perspectives on sexual diversity. Specifically, we highlight how the confluence of the market, transformations in heritage systems, and ways of depicting the LGBT+ narrative reveals new processes of recognition for LGBT+ heritage. In the process of heritagisation, tourism and leisure serve as narrative pillars of memories and identities. This study explores these aspects by focusing on a Spanish town, Torremolinos, which has become one of the most important international LGBT+ tourist destinations.