Mérida’s Rainbow Expo Boosts LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Local Economy

Mérida, January 19, 2026 — The Mérida City Council held a new edition of the Rainbow Expo, a cultural and entrepreneurship event that has become one of the municipal initiatives providing real opportunities and promoting equality.

Through the Directorate of Social Development and Poverty Alleviation, led by Arturo León Itzá, the Rainbow Expo was held as part of the Mérida Fest 2026 activities.

This project provides a safe, open, and free space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to showcase their talent, work, and productive projects.

“The Rainbow Expo demonstrates that when we create open and respectful spaces, people can grow, undertake ventures, and feel recognized. That is the type of city we are building in Mérida,” said León Itzá.

This fourth edition featured 50 local businesses dedicated to sectors such as crafts, food, jewelry, and plants, allowing participants to connect with new customers and generate income at no cost, thereby strengthening family and local economies.

The Rainbow Expo also offered a broad artistic and cultural agenda. The collective Mérida’s Drag Show participated, a platform that has brought drag art to various public spaces in the city, with performances by Loba Lee and Picandy Hard, the latter selected for the Morbidrags competition in its second season.

The event concluded with the “Fashion Week: Lo Hecho en México Ball,” organized by House of Magdalena, a proposal that mixes Ballroom culture with Mexican fashion and diversity, highlighting our textile and cultural roots from a contemporary, inclusive, and creative perspective.

The Rainbow Expo reaffirmed its importance as a municipal initiative that promotes participation, respect, and opportunities for all people, strengthening coexistence and positioning Mérida as an open, diverse, and supportive city.