Tijuana is opening a facility that will help members of the LGBTQ+ community and women and children who are victims abuse, including those who are migrants deported from the U.S. or have just arrived in the city.
The center will be run by a group called Ayuda Acción México and will provide people with a home for up to three months as they remain in transition, said Tania Rodríguez Zafra, the agency’s director.
Those who live at the site will also receive job placement, basic health care, legal assistance and other resources.
She stated the site will especially cater to women and children who are victims of abuse.
“These are the most vulnerable members of the population,” Rodríguez Zafra.
The site opened its doors this week and it’s the third such facility in Mexico.
“We are very interested in giving opportunities to those who come here, including those who get deported,” she said. “We want to help as many people as we can.”
There will be room for up to 30 people at a time, but Rodríguez Zafra hopes to grow in the future and be able to accommodate 50 residents.
“Our utmost mission is to change the American dream for the Mexican dream,” she said. “Mexico needs to be more than a transit country, but a destination where people want to remain, we are not encouraging anyone to cross the border.”
The center will also help relocate residents to other areas in Mexico, especially if it means getting them jobs and more opportunities in cities such as Monterrey, Querétaro and Mexico City.
Private donations and contributions, along with some grants from the Mexican government will fund the site and its programs.
“We are affiliated with different firms who will help us accommodate and cater to whoever comes here seeking help, we will find them dignified jobs to meet their level of experience and education,” said Rodríguez Zafra.
If you’re an LGBTQ person looking for a better place, listen to Shasta as she tells you about Mexico.
For many LGBTQ+ Americans, the current political climate in the U.S. feels increasingly hostile and unsafe. In this video, we explore what it’s like to escape to Mexico — a country with growing LGBTQ+ protections, thriving queer communities, and a much lower cost of living.
We’ll cover: ✅ The most LGBTQ-friendly cities in Mexico ✅ Visa and residency basics for U.S. citizens ✅ Healthcare access and affordability ✅ Safety and community support ✅ Stories from real LGBTQ+ expats who made the move
From Mexico City’s vibrant queer scene to the laid-back beach towns of Puerto Vallarta and Mérida, discover why more and more LGBTQ+ people are finding freedom, safety, and joy south of the border.
🧭 Whether you’re looking for adventure, community, or simply peace of mind, this video will help you weigh your options and envision a new life abroad.
The Puerto Vallarta City Council has approved a new Municipal Development and Governance Plan for 2024–2027 that includes specific policies to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. This marks the first time in the city’s history that such actions have been formally integrated into its municipal planning.
The plan, which serves as the primary guide for public policy, was presented by Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguía González and passed with 15 votes. Munguía noted that the document was the result of extensive citizen input, including neighborhood meetings, specialized forums, and public surveys.
The Vallarta Diversity Network, a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group, was among the organizations that participated in the consultation process. The group submitted a proposal that called for an effective public policy on sexual and gender diversity, which was incorporated into two key sections of the plan.
Key actions highlighted in the plan include the creation of a Municipal Human Rights Program that will feature affirmative actions for people of diverse sexual orientations. It also proposes initiatives to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. These measures will be carried out through institutional programs and in partnership with organized civil society groups.
The plan outlines an implementation strategy that includes performance indicators, evaluation methods, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Vallarta Diversity Network said the inclusion of these policies is an important step toward establishing public policies that recognize and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ residents. The organization has committed to collaborating on the plan’s implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, emphasizing the need for proper budget allocation and accountability.
There are many reasons to fall in love with Puerto Vallarta. For me, it was the sunsets, the jungle-lined beaches, the food scene and a beauty that goes much deeper than just the beach. But ask a queer traveler why Vallarta stands apart, and you’ll likely hear something more personal. They may tell you it feels like coming home.
Today, Puerto Vallarta is recognized as the LGBTQ capital of Mexico, a place where rainbow flags hang as proudly as the bougainvillea spilling over the balconies. The city’s Zona Romantica neighborhood is a full-blown “gayborhood,” buzzing with queer-owned cafes, boutique hotels, beach clubs and late-night dance floors. But the path to queer paradise didn’t appear overnight. It was carved by decades of quiet courage, community resilience and one very big Pride parade.
According to Javier Jiménez, president of Vallarta Pride, the turning point came in the late 1990s, when LGBTQ immigrants began arriving in large numbers, particularly from San Francisco and Los Angeles. “Along with the LGBTQ community, they began looking for safe and friendly places to meet,” he says. “Bars like Balcones and Paco Paco became social hubs for the community.”
Then came the tipping point: the 2002 opening of Blue Chairs, Mexico’s first openly LGBTQ hotel. Blue Chairs was more than just a place to sleep. It was a declaration that queer travelers belonged here. “From that moment on, says Jiménez, “Puerto Vallarta took firm steps toward becoming the best LGBTQ destination in Mexico and Latin America.”
Early entrepreneurs like Francisco Ruíz, John Crocket Moore, Frank Muts and the Greys — Gregory and Don — were instrumental in building the infrastructure for a thriving queer economy in nightlife, hospitality, arts and tourism. These business ventures were acts of defiance and vision.
“They showed the rest of the population that this was a present and active community that contributed to the economy and the destination’s promotion,” says Jiménez.
The numbers back it up. What began as a handful of LGBTQ bars has blossomed into more than 50, according to the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. The first Vallarta Pride parade had 40 participants and three floats. Jiménez says today there are more than 2,000 people and 50 floats that roll through the street each year. What was once a niche tourism segment has become a main engine of Vallarta’s economic lifeblood.
“It is estimated that 40 cents of every peso comes from the community,” Jiménez adds. LGBTQ tourism has also spurred a boom in construction, particularly in the southern part of the city. Condo towers, boutique hotels and mixed-use developments have transformed the skyline, many of them funded, owned or designed with queer travelers in mind.
But Vallarta’s queer identity goes deeper than hotel rooftops and themed parties. Though, let’s be real; the White Parties and Bear Week go off. There’s a thriving ecosystem of queer artists, chefs, activists, and business owners who keep the cultural heart beating. Galleries line the streets of Zona Romantica. Activists rally behind causes from HIV awareness to trans rights. The local Pride committee is run by a coalition of community leaders who live here year-round.
“Beyond nightlife, the LGBTQ community in Puerto Vallarta finds countless art galleries, a vast and exquisite gastronomic offering and tours to the rivers and mountains,” says Javier Jiménez. “It also boasts strong local activities that have forged a strong and proud community.”
A big part of what makes Vallarta unique is its sense of welcome, and not just for tourists. Locals, says Jiménez, have embraced the queer community, both socially and economically. “In general, the people of Puerto Vallarta are very friendly and open-minded,” he says. “Perhaps also helped by the community’s contribution to the city’s development.”
Still, travelers should be aware that even paradise has its risks. In recent months, the U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara confirmed several reports of U.S. citizens being kidnapped after meeting individuals on dating apps in the Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit areas. In some cases, victims and their families were extorted for ransom. While these incidents are deeply concerning, it’s important to note that similar crimes have occurred in cities around ht world. Caution is always advised when meeting strangers, particularly in unfamiliar places. Meet in public, let someone know where you’re going, and trust your instincts whether you’re in Vallarta, Berlin or Bangkok.
Of course, nowhere is without its blind spots. Jiménez is quick to point out that even in a place as seemingly inclusive as Vallarta, progress must be guarded. “Based on recent examples like what is happening in the U.S., where the LGBTQ community believed its rights were secure and these have recently been diminishing, the community must remain present,” he warns. “Defending what it has achieved, and actively participating in political and social spheres.”
Still, for first-time queer travelers, Puerto Vallarta offers freedom without fear. From wedding ceremonies on the beach, a sunset cocktail at Mantamar, or simply holding hands while strolling the Malecon, there’s a feeling here that is easy to recognize. It’s safety. It’s joy. It’s family.
And that’s the thing about Puerto Vallarta. You come for the views, the food and the party. At least, I did. But I, like so many others from all walks of life, stay because Puerto Vallarta feels like you’ve found your place in the sun.
On Sunday (22 June), in celebration of Pride, more than 5000 LGBTQ+ activists and allies gathered in Mexico City’s Zócalo Public Square to form what is believed to be the “world’s largest human LGBTQ+ flag”.
As rain showered down, participants held up colourful umbrellas in their matching coloured t-shirts to create the Pride flag formation.
Also in the formation was Mexico City Mayor, Clara Brugada, who said during the event, as reported by The Latin Times: “Mexico City is and will continue to be the city of rights and freedoms. This monumental image we draw with our bodies and colours will be a powerful message to the country and the world.
“Mexico City is the capital of pride, diversity, peace, and transformation.”
The show of solidarity, which lasted two hours, was organised by Mexico City’s government, and is the largest event of its kind in Mexican history.
Shots of the formation were captured by drone, with the images and videos going viral on social media. Many expressed their joy at seeing such unity in the city, with one comment under a video of the display reading: “I will forever be proud to be a Mexican”.
Last year, in a historical moment, Claudia Sheinbaum became the first woman to be elected president of Mexico. Sheinbaum, who is also the first Jewish president in Mexico, has expressed want to combat gender-based violence and improve rights for LGBTQ+ people.
A Canadian couple planning a destination wedding in gay mecca Puerto Vallarta says they’ve been discriminated against by the beachside hotel where they’d hoped to tie the knot.
Jeremy Alexander and Ryan Sheepwash shared their experience in now-viral videos on Instagram and TikTok.
“Soooo disappointed that my fiancée and I got discriminated against for our wedding plans in Puerto Vallarta by #Sheraton!! Worst of all, they’ve probably done this to countless other same-sex couples.”
The pair had been planning their wedding for months, including a trip to PV to check out prospective venues. They say a tour of the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort won them over, with hospitable staff and a price within their range.
But the couple’s experience with the hotel’s wedding planner deteriorated over a succession of efforts to lock the wedding in. When a quote finally arrived after three months, Alexander and Sheepwash were provided with an outrageous estimate of the bill.
The invoice said 25 deluxe, all-inclusive ocean view rooms would set guests back $970 each; the hotel demanded a $36,000 deposit for half of the rooms.
“It’s not reasonable,” Alexander said. “No one can afford that.”
It was also much more than the hotel had initially quoted the couple. The Sheraton also said they couldn’t accommodate the couple until March of 2027.
Alexander and Sheepwash got engaged in Puerto Vallarta in February 2024.
Shocked at the estimate, the couple decided to ask a straight friend to “request a quote just to see apples to apples what it looks like.”
That inquiry for a hypothetical wedding, planned for the same dates Alexander and Sheepwash wanted, came with a different outcome: a “deluxe package” for 50 people was $8,500, or $254 per person per night, and required a deposit of just $1,700 — on the same dates Alexander and Sheepwash had requested.
“We just feel defeated,” said Sheepwash in the TikTok video. “It’s not fair because we love each other and we really want to get married, and we want to make it special and we want to make it perfect.”
“We felt we’d be indirectly complicit to the system if we’re aware of it and we’re not combating it,” Alexander told NBC News. “That was the major driving factor in us wanting to put the story out there.”
The hotel is a “third-party franchisee” of the Marriott corporation and declined to comment.
Marriott International said in a statement that the company has reached out to the couple “to learn more about their experience and are working with the property to offer a solution.”
“The Sheraton Buganvilias has been active in the LGBTQ community in Puerto Vallarta for years, not only hosting LGBTQ+ weddings and groups but also supporting Pride events in Puerto Vallarta,” the spokesperson said. “Marriott remains steadfast in our commitment to ensure guests are treated with respect and understanding.”
“It’s very clear there’s an issue all the way to the top at this particular Sheraton of homophobia,” Alexander said. Marriott “would need to make some seriously impactful change before I’d be entertaining what they have to say there. They are part of a lot of queer travel alliances, and the actions have to line up with reality, and right now it doesn’t.”
Alexander and Sheepwash aren’t the first to experience the hotel’s discriminatory treatment. “Just Google it,” Alexander advises on Insta.
In 2019, Josh Rimer, a television host and Mr. Gay Canada 2019, and his then-fiancé were turned away from the hotel after choosing it to host their own wedding.
And while researching the hotel, Sheepwash uncovered a TikTok video posted by Daniel Galecio, a wedding planner in Puerto Vallarta, who said the same Sheraton staff member who provided the couple’s inflated estimate told him the resort is currently unable to host same-sex weddings.
“That hotel has a history of years of discrimination, and all the city knows — all the gays know,” Galecio said.
Marriage equality became legal nationally in Mexico in 2022.
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