45 Years of the First Pride March in Mexico: A Journey of Struggle and Progress

This Saturday, June 29, the 46th Pride March will take place in Mexico City, and from Queer Destinations , we want to invite you not only to celebrate but also to remember and reflect .

Sometimes it may seem that the first pride march in Mexico happened a long time ago; however, this year marks only 45 years since the first official march where the LGBTQ+ community members gathered to demand their rights.

In 1979, under the protest chants "There is no political freedom without sexual freedom! Without sexual freedom, there will be no social liberation!", the first Pride March in Mexico City took place with a full identity. The movement brought together more than a thousand protesters and started from the Column of Independence to Plaza Carlos Finlay. Since then, every June, this march is held to remember and continue the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

That same year, José Joaquín Blanco published "Ojos que da pánico so?ar" (Eyes That Panic to Dream), an essay that denounced the difficult situation of LGBTQ+ people in Mexico, and which many activists adopted as a manifesto. The march included participation from the National Front for the Liberation and Rights of Women and the National Front Against Repression.

Current Advances and Challenges

Despite the ongoing struggle, there is still a lot of discrimination and homophobia today. There is a long way to go towards a world where we don't even need labels. According to a survey published by Statista (2023), Mexico remains the country with the most homicides of trans people in Latin America. Data from the National Survey on Sexual and Gender Diversity (ENDISEG) for 2021, published by INEGI Informa , found that for the population aged 15 to 64, those with a non-normative identity or orientation have a higher likelihood of being denied employment, ranging from 5% to 19%, with trans women being the most affected at 18.8%. According to a report by The Trevor Project (2024), more than half of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in 2024.

However, there has also been significant progress. In 2023, Mexico, through the Secretariat of Tourism of the Government of Mexico City Secretaría de Turismo , received the Queer Destinations distinction, becoming the first capital in Latin America to be recognized for its commitment to offering specialized tourism for the LGBTQ+ segment. Since then, many companies and destinations have genuinely committed to learning and understanding the LGBTQ+ community, taking action to unlearn biases and stereotypes.

At Queer Destinations , we are committed to education, awareness, and information dissemination. Through our educational program Hospitality meets Diversity, we have trained more than 150,000 professionals on LGBTQ+ topics. The program includes statistics, specific terms, history, and practical cases that teach and help to better understand people who are part of a community that has fought for years for rights, equal opportunities, and acceptance.

Companies Committed to Inclusion in Mexico City (Queer Destinations Committed partners)

Hotels:

• Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe
• las alcobas, Mexico City, A Luxury Collection Hotel
• Andaz Mexico City Condesa
• City Centro Ciudad de México
• City Express EBC Reforma
• City Express Plus Reforma El ángel
• Hyatt Regency Mexico City
• JW Marriott Mexico City Polanco
• Le Méridien Mexico City Reforma
• Sheraton Mexico City Maria Isabel Hotel l
• The St. Regis Mexico City
• W Mexico City

Car Rental:

• AVASA México Car Rental
• Hertz México
• Dollar Car Rental México
• Thrifty Car Rental Mexico
• Firefly Car Rental México

Other Services:

• Mexico Travel Group
• Turibus

If you come to Pride in Mexico City this year, you can be sure that all of these companies will welcome you with open arms, and you'll have an incredible weekend.

Information About Pride 2024 in Mexico City

The Collective of Civil Organizations for the march has announced that the LGBT Pride March 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, June 29th.

What time is the Gay Pride March 2024 in CDMX?

The gathering will begin at 10:00 AM.

Where does the LGBT Pride March start and end?

The meeting point is at the ángel de la Independencia. The contingents will gather there to start the colorful parade, which will head towards the Zócalo of Mexico City.

Reflection and Commitment

Today, we look back and recognize the courage and determination of those who started this fight. We continue to march in their honor, committed to the cause of freedom and equality for all. Although the path to a world free of discrimination is long, every step we take brings us closer to the goal of an inclusive society where we can all live without labels or prejudice.

The progress made so far is significant, but not enough. It is essential to continue promoting education and awareness to combat discrimination in all its forms. Collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as individual commitment, is fundamental to continue moving towards a truly inclusive society.

Each year, the Pride March in Mexico City not only celebrates diversity and inclusion but also serves as a reminder that the fight for equality continues. By recognizing and honoring the past, we inspire future generations to keep working for a more just and equitable world for all.

REFERENCES:

https://es.statista.com/estadisticas/1394904/numero-de-asesinatos-de-personas-trans-en-latinoamerica/

https://www.gob.mx/stps/prensa/personas-trans-son-las-mas-afectadas-en-la-comunidad-lgbtttiq-por-discriminacion-laboral?idiom=es-MX https://www.thetrevorproject.mx/encuesta/2024/es/?

https://www.local.mx/ciudad-de-mexico/sobre-la-primera-marcha-del-orgullo-que-hubo-en-la-cdmx/

PHOTOS:

https://www.homosensual.com/cultura/historia/asi-fue-la-primera-marcha-del-orgullo-lgbt-en-mexico/

https://www.gq.com.mx/entretenimiento/articulo/historia-liberacion-lgbt-mexico-quienes-iniciaron-la-lucha-por-la-diversidad

https://www.instagram.com/sashe/?hl=en

Ready to foster a discrimination-free workplace? Join our list of #QueerDestinationsCommitted partners and showcase your company's unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the requirements to become a partner by visiting our website.