How Lesbian Friendly Is Mexico

What We Want to Know

When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.
Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Mexico is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Mexico are far more liberal than some people may think, and they are continuing to change in keeping up with the progress around the world. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal for nearly 150 years, and historically, there has been extensive documentation of homosexuality being accepted among the indigenous groups of Mexico. Today, there is discrimination protection nationwide, as well as a hate speech law prohibiting two anti-gay slurs. Mexico is currently on track to legalizing same-sex marriage federally, but at this time, the legislation is changing state by state. Mexico is made up of 31 states as well as a federal district (Mexico City), and currently same-sex marriage is legal in 12 states, as well as in Mexico City. Same-sex marriages are currently recognized in all Mexican states, as well as equal rights for same-sex spouses. After the Inter American Court Ruling in 2018, the Mexican government is being urged to fully legalize same-sex marriage across the nation, and hopefully we will see that happen very soon!

Social Climate

Mexico is a large country, and the attitude toward LGBTQ+ people varies in different areas, but recent polls show positive feelings toward the community and an overall belief in acceptance. A Pew Research Center poll from 2013 showed 61% of Mexican people believing in acceptance of homosexuality, and we can assume that this percentage has increased since then. Mexico ranked 32 on the Gay Happiness Index in 2015, and a recent survey on marriage equality showed 69% of the population in favour. The country’s first Pride march was held in Mexico City in 1979, and this past year’s Pride celebration reached a quarter of a million attendees. Mexico City is also host to a Lesbian Pride March, which began in 2003. Additionally, there are annual celebrations in Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, Puebla, Veracruz, Merida, Acapulco, and others. Like most places around the world, there is still work to be done in Mexico. There continues to be violence against LGBTQ+ people, and homophobic hate crimes happening around the country, despite anti-discrimination laws being in place. Hopefully with continued advocacy and changes in legislation, we will continue to see things push forward.

Gaybourhoods

Mexico has many gay friendly cities and regions. Mexico City, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Merida, Acapulco, Veracruz, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mazatlan, and others are all very popular spots for LGBTQ+ people. The most favoured region for gay and lesbian travellers is likely Cancun, and the surrounding areas along Riviera Maya. Both Cancun and Playa del Carmen have lively gay nightlife, and many gay owned and operated businesses and accommodations. Mexico City also has a thriving gay scene if you’re looking for LGBTQ+ culture, with a “pink zone” known for it’s gay bars and clubs. If you’re looking for safe spaces while travelling in Mexico, stick to the bigger cities and more popular tourist regions, as these will have the most gay friendly spots.

Our Experience

We visited Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula together and had a really wonderful experience. Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Tulum are all very welcoming spots to explore, and we really enjoyed adventuring around this region in Mexico. Rather than opting for a resort style vacation, we stayed in Airbnb accommodations in local neighbourhoods, and rented a car to explore on our own. We felt safe and comfortable during all of our Mexico travels, and we had no issues with safety travelling as a lesbian couple. We like to be out and open when it is safe to do so, and we found that we never felt inclined to hide our relationship in Mexico. We walked around holding hands, showed affection to one another in public, took couples photos in front of locals and tourists, and were honest with everyone we met about being married. We loved travelling in Mexico and will definitely be returning. Playa del Carmen is somewhere that we could see ourselves spending a longer period of time, and we would love to go back and explore other regions. If you’re interested in travelling to Mexico, follow these links for our lesbian guides to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. With ancient Mayan ruins, natural swimming holes, beautiful beaches, and lively coastal towns, this region is very special and unique. We highly recommend Mexico, and especially the Yucatan Peninsula as a travel destination for lesbians and lesbian couples. Enjoy!

Have you been to Mexico? Share your experience in the comments below!

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