Puerto Vallarta Strengthens its Commitment to the LGBT Community

As the celebration of Vallarta Pride (May 17-28), Puerto Vallarta’s annual LGBTQ festival approaches, the city further expands its commitment to its LGBTQ visitors and community with multiple initiatives across the city including the opening of a Gender Equality Office and sensitivity training for local businesses.

Sponsored by the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, “Certified Member LGBT,” is a 12-course training program developed by the Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) and Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) for local hoteliers and tour operators and is part of the country’s overall initiative to “strengthen LGBT offerings in the destination with quality, inclusive and respectful products and service.” The class will be given on May 25th.

Puerto Vallarta Mayor Arturo Dávalos Peña started the destination’s current initiatives last week by inaugurating a new government office specializing in LGBTQ issues. The Office of Gender Equality, located in the Gayborhood of the Zona Romantica, will be a safe place for lesbian, gay, transsexual, bisexual, transgender, and intersexual communities residing in or visiting the city. The mayor expressed that the Office of Gender Equality is another key initiative in the city’s commitment to ensure Puerto Vallarta continues to be a friendly and welcoming destination, for which “we have already taken very important steps, such as the establishment of same-sex marriages that became legal in March of last year.”