Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Members of Red Diversa Quintana Roo have called on the State Prosecutor’s Office to strengthen its response to crimes against the LGBT+ community by reactivating a specialized hate crimes unit and advancing legal reforms, including the criminalization of transfemicide.
Ivan Castelán, the organization’s executive secretary, said the proposals stem from a list of demands presented during the Playa del Carmen Diversity March 2026. The goal is to ensure more effective victim support and to produce reliable data on the extent of violence faced by the LGBT+ population.
Castelán noted that the creation of a specialized unit was decreed in 2021, but its operation in Playa del Carmen has not been visible. Strengthening this unit would improve victim support and generate municipal and state statistics to inform prevention and care policies, he said.
The activist pointed to a significant underreporting of cases, as many victims choose not to file complaints or abandon proceedings due to experiences of revictimization, lack of sensitivity from authorities, or institutional deficiencies.
While the organization has seen a decline in direct reports of physical violence, Castelán said there has been an increase in institutional violence and microaggressions during bureaucratic procedures at various government offices in recent years.
Red Diversa Quintana Roo expressed confidence that working groups with the State Prosecutor’s Office will lead to progress in security, access to justice, and dignified treatment for sexual diversity individuals. Castelán acknowledged that some proposals will require legislative changes and coordinated efforts between authorities and civil society organizations to be realized.
