Playa del Carmen Pride March Draws Diverse Crowd in Historic Downtown

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Hundreds of participants filled the streets of Playa del Carmen’s downtown this past Saturday in a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride, marking International Pride Day. The annual march, organized by local sexual-diversity collectives in partnership with municipal authorities and even representatives from the Southeast Diocese of the Anglican Church of Mexico, highlighted both visibility and inclusion.

At around 5 p.m., marchers—including LGBTQ+ individuals, trans women, allies, and municipal officials—gathered at the Poliforum on Juárez Avenue. The Social Justice and Citizen Participation Secretariat, alongside the Sexual Diversities Division, formally joined the march, underscoring the city’s commitment to awareness and acceptance.

The procession proceeded along Juárez Avenue, veered onto 10 Norte in decorated floats, and then continued on foot down Fifth Avenue. Participants eventually merged onto Constituyentes Avenue before reaching Plaza 28 de Julio. There, a central “mega rainbow flag” was ceremoniously raised, and attendees observed a minute of silence in remembrance of victims of hate crimes and transfemicide.

Following the solemn tribute, the celebration continued with music, dance and drag performances on stage, reflecting the color and energy characteristic of Pride. The presence of the Anglican Diocese’s representatives was particularly notable. The Southeast Diocese, led by Bishop Julio César Martín‑Trejo—an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and civil marriage equality—lent its support, marking a progressive stance from a traditionally conservative institution.

A vocal contingent of trans women carried a banner declaring, “this is not a party, this is resistance,” directly confronting the persistence of violence and stigma. They emphasized that hate crimes and transfemicides remain underreported and inadequately prosecuted—a challenge shared by advocates across Mexico .

The march culminated with a sense of unity as government agencies, grassroots groups, civil society, and allies walked side by side. City officials reiterated that Playa del Carmen is committed to non-discrimination and the celebration of diversity.

National and Regional Significance

Playa del Carmen’s Pride Parade is part of a wider regional movement. Earlier this month, Cancun Pride drew an estimated 4,000 attendees—residents and visitors from across the Riviera Maya—highlighting the region’s growing commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility. Elsewhere in the Yucatán Peninsula, cities like Mérida have also hosted inclusive Pride events in recent years.

The 2025 march drew widespread attention thanks to its diverse participation and strong institutional backing. Support from local religious groups, such as the Anglican Diocese of the Southeast, and involvement from mayoral offices, underlines a shift in the political and cultural context. Bishop Martín‑Trejo’s active participation in Pride events reflects a broader trend of faith communities aligning with social justice causes.

That said, speakers at the event emphasized that activism must continue. As one trans march participant voiced: “Our joy is resistance—until equality is real.” Their message resonated with an audience eager for cultural acceptance and legal protections.

With visibility on the rise and local institutions lending support, Playa del Carmen’s Pride Parade is fast becoming a regional symbol of progress—and a reminder that, even amid celebration, advocacy remains essential.