MADRID MAYOR ON GAY MAG COVER

Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, who belongs to the main opposition party, the conservative Partido Popular, became the first PP politician to appear on the cover of Spain's leading gay magazine 'Zero' this month. He is following in the footsteps of Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Izquierda Unida secretary general Gaspar Llamazares. Sr Ruiz-Gallardón, a practicing Catholic, has officiated at gay weddings in the city, flouting the official party line which does not support gay marriage. Zero editor Miguel Ángel López said he had heard the mayor was willing to be interviewed. But he told Sr Ruiz-Gallardon that he had to appear on the cover, thinking that he would not accept. Apparently the mayor saw the interview as a way to get his opinions across to the magazine's largely left-wing readership.