Mexico’s Top 3 States for LGBT+ Rights Progress

Mexico — Three Mexican states have emerged as pioneers in the recognition and protection of LGBT+ rights, driven in part by rulings from the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN). Despite nationwide progress, Jalisco, Coahuila, and Quintana Roo stand out for their legislative and social advancements in equality.

Jalisco: A Contrast of Conservatism and Activism

Jalisco, traditionally a conservative state, has become a hub for LGBT+ activism. Since 2020, the state has guaranteed the right to gender identity for transgender individuals. In the two years following the decree, 1,170 identity change applications were processed, including 103 for minors accompanied by guardians.

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), as of June 2025, 30% of marriages in Jalisco are same-sex unions, with 66% involving female couples and 33% male couples. The state banned conversion therapy on April 6, 2022, imposing fines of up to 28,600 pesos. At least a dozen cases have been identified since the ban.

Same-sex adoption was legalized in Jalisco in 2016, with 55 recorded cases by May 2024.

Coahuila: A Model of Support

Coahuila became the second state after Mexico City to recognize fundamental LGBT+ rights. In 2025 alone, 60 gender identity changes were formalized, according to the state’s Civil Registry.

The civil association San Aelredo reported 15 same-sex adoptions, with 10 involving couples from other states and five from local residents. The Civil Registry estimates 80 to 100 same-sex marriages annually, with 50 recorded before June 2025.

Quintana Roo: An LGBT+-Friendly Destination

Quintana Roo’s international tourism hubs—Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum—have fostered a more liberal social environment, positioning the state as an inclusive destination for LGBT+ travelers.

In Cancún, 22 gender identity change requests were filed by June 12, 2025, with 12 finalized: seven male-to-female and five female-to-male transitions, according to Benito Juárez municipal data. The state’s DIF agency reported 22 same-sex adoptions, with 14 cases still in process.

In 2024, 37 same-sex marriages were registered. Conversion therapy was banned in December 2023, with penalties ranging from two to six years in prison and fines between 108,000 and 216,000 pesos.

These states continue to set benchmarks for LGBT+ rights in Mexico, reflecting both legal progress and shifting social attitudes.