Playa del Carmen Pride March Advances Amid Permit Negotiations

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — With just over two weeks until the 14th Pride March in Playa del Carmen, LGBTQ+ community organizers are finalizing preparations while holding meetings with municipal authorities to secure permits and resolve logistical details.

Brenda Cervantes, director of the Lesbian Collective United in Solidarity (CLES), said the process has moved slowly but meetings with various city departments have taken place to coordinate the march and planned activities at the main square. She noted that some issues remain unresolved, including the possibility of holding the traditional flag-raising ceremony.

Cervantes explained that authorities recently informed organizers that restrictions on raising the pride flag may exist due to criteria involving the Mexican Army (Sedena). However, she said they continue to seek alternatives with municipal officials to preserve the symbolic act that traditionally accompanies the mobilization.

Organizers expect around 23,000 people to participate in this year’s event, surpassing last year’s attendance of approximately 21,300. Cervantes emphasized that the event has been driven primarily by civil society and LGBTQ+ community members who have worked throughout the year on its planning.