Mexico City — On the eve of the LGBTQ+ pride march, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum reiterated her administration’s commitment to inclusion and non-discrimination, while acknowledging that budget constraints limit the immediate expansion of rights.
During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum criticized the political opposition — which she described as “the far right, the right” — for having a narrow view of people and lacking inclusive and diverse perspectives.
In contrast, she said her government maintains “a vision of inclusion in every sense and of opening rights as much as possible,” adding that budgetary restrictions sometimes condition the immediate rollout of new public policies.
Sheinbaum announced that due to the high attendance expected at the Fan Fest linked to the soccer World Cup, this year’s pride march will not reach the Zócalo, the city’s main square.
“I ask for a bit of understanding given the sporting event happening, but it has nothing to do with any opposition, and next year they will be able to reach the Zócalo,” she said, assuring that this does not reflect a lack of solidarity, support, or recognition from the government.
She also highlighted the visibility and recognition within her own cabinet, noting that some secretaries “openly acknowledge their sexual preference,” which she said is part of building “a more just country” and normalizing people’s right to publicly declare it. “And that’s good,” she added.
Regarding protests and demands from LGBTQ+ groups maintaining a sit-in at the Ministry of the Interior, Sheinbaum said they have been attended to and suggested the possibility of expanding dialogue to other federal agencies and even the Mexico City government to address their requests.
She emphasized her administration’s willingness to guarantee concrete rights for transgender people, mentioning that social programs such as Housing for Well-being are open to this sector and assuring “full openness on our part to attend to transgender people and guarantee their rights.”
The mayor also criticized the use of homophobia as a political weapon, calling it “typical of the right,” though she acknowledged that Mexico is a country with freedom of expression and political action.
