LGBTQ culture in Mexico City

Mexico City Pride, 2019

There is a large LGBTQ community in Mexico City, which became the first major city in Latin America to legal same-sex marriage in 2010. ^[1] In 2019, Oscar Lopez of Slate said Mexico City "has become something of a queer oasis. It's here where LGBTQ people enjoy more rights than anywhere else in the country". ^[2]

Mexico City hosted the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association's global LGBTQ rights conference in 2014. ^[3] In 2024, the city's 46th annual pride parade (Mexico City Pride) was attended by approximately 260,000 people. ^[4] Former mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed her support for the LGBTQ community. ^{[5] [6]}

In 2020, Javier Berain became Mexico City's first openly gay commanding officer. ^[7]

Ball culture

Mexico City-based House of Machos is the nation's first ballroom house. Among ball events is Religiosas Ball. ^[8]

Business and organizations

El Almacen, a gay bar in Zona Rosa, Mexico City

Casa Frida works with approximately 300 LGBTQ asylum seekers and migrants in the city, as well as Monterrey and Tapachula. ^[9] According to NBC News, a "campaign led by the Organization for Refuge, Asylum and Migration, or ORAM, which assists LGBTQ asylum-seekers, has launched a campaign in Mexico to raise money to offer safe shelter, food and transportation for a month to 100 LGBTQ refugees or asylum-seekers in Mexico City." ^[10]

Gay bars and nightlife

The Zona Rosa ("Pink Zone") is the city's most prominent LGBTQ entertainment district, with many gay bars and other nightlife. ^{[11] [12]}

La Cañita is a beach-themed bar and restaurant near downtown. ^[13] Staff at La Purísima, which has been described as an "unapologetically irreverent" gay bar, dress as Catholic nuns and priests. ^[14] Rvuelta Queer House has been described as an "artsy, queer indoor-outdoor resto-bar-community centre" with "a young heart and an old soul". ^[15] Other gay bars have included Baños Finisterre, Club Roshell, El Nueve, Marrakech Salón, La Perla, Sodome, and Tom's Leather Bar. ^[16]

Drag

Drag performers from Mexico City include Drag Race México contestants Elektra Vandergeld, Eva Blunt, Luna Lansman, and Nina de la Fuente. ^[17]

Law

See also: LGBTQ rights in Mexico City

A law known as "Ley Paola Buenrostro", which was introduced by the United Commissions on Gender Equality and Administration and Prosecution of Justice, makes the murder of a transgender person punishable by as many as 70 years in prison. It was approved by the state legislature in a 45 to 1 vote. Mexico City become the nation's second to pass such a law. ^{[18] [19]}

Popular culture

This Is Not Berlin (2019) is about a teenager living in the city during the 1986 World Cup and has been described as a "love letter" to Mexico City's queer punks. ^[20]

See also

• LGBTQ portal
• Mexico portal

• LGBTQ culture in Mexico
• LGBTQ rights in Mexico City
• Nicho Bears and Bar

References

1. Chesnut, Mark (2023-05-15). "Why LGBTQ Travelers Love Mexico City". Passport Magazine. Archived from the original on 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
2. Lopez, Oscar (2019-06-12). "Capital of Queer". Slate. ISSN   1091-2339. Archived from the original on 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
3. Lavers, Michael K. (2014-10-29). "Global LGBT rights conference opens in Mexico City". www.washingtonblade.com. Archived from the original on 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
4. "Mexico City's 46th pride parade draws over 260,000". Mexico News Daily. 2024-07-01. Archived from the original on 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
5. Ferlita, Gabriella (2024-06-04). "Claudia Sheinbaum: Mexico's first woman president's stance on LGBTQ+ rights". PinkNews. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
6. Wakefield, Lily (2019-06-05). "Mexico City ends gender-specific school uniforms". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
7. Aguilar, Michelle (2020-12-21). "Mexico City police department has its first openly gay commander". Mexico News Daily. Archived from the original on 2024-10-13. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
8. "The House of Machos brought the ballroom scene to Mexico City and made it 'fabuloso' | Xtra Magazine". 2022-05-30. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
9. Lavers, Michael K. (2025-02-04). "Mexican group that serves LGBTQ migrants may close without US funding". www.washingtonblade.com. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
10. "LGBTQ migrants face 'triple vulnerability' as a group in Mexico aims to help them". NBC News. 2024-06-19. Archived from the original on 2025-01-26. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
11. Kevin (2022-06-10). "Celebrating Pride in México City". Dallas Voice. Archived from the original on 2022-06-25. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
12. "México City's Pride: More than just a parade". Dallas Voice. 2024-07-03. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
13. "A Mexico City queer bar resists attacks with love and cumbia". Los Angeles Times. 2019-07-02. Archived from the original on 2024-06-05. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
14. Lavers, Michael K. (2023-10-09). "LGBTQ bars in Latin America: A reporter's notebook". www.washingtonblade.com. Archived from the original on 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
15. "These are some of the coolest gay bars in the world | Xtra Magazine". 2024-06-06. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
16. "Best Gay Spots for Tourists in Mexico City". Time Out Mexico City. Archived from the original on 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
17. Tinoco, Armando (2024-05-23). "'Drag Race México' Season 2 Cast Photos: Meet The 13 Queens Competing For The Crown". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
18. Villarroel, Maria (2024-07-19). "'Transfemicides' in Mexico City will be punishable by up to 70 years in prison; how it compares with the U.S." Latin Times. Archived from the original on 2024-08-12. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
19. "Trans killings now punishable by up to 70 years in Mexico City". France 24. 2024-07-18. Archived from the original on 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
20. "'This Is Not Berlin' Is a 'Love Letter' to Mexico City's Queer Punks". www.advocate.com. Archived from the original on 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2025-02-19.