HISTORY
GAY PRIDE IN YUCATAN
Video credits to @QUERIDOGLENN
ADMIN
June has arrived and with it the great spirit of celebration since it is PRIDE month worldwide; therefore, we share a summary of the gay pride celebration in Mérida and what is expected in 2022.
FIRST PRIDE MARCH: A ROUGH START
In 2003, the “First March of Sexual Diversity” was held in Merida, supported by civil associations and organized by the activist Mammie Blue, who was one of the first Drag Queens in Yucatan recognized for her comic-musical show. ;She was at the forefront of what was the most famous gay club in the city (Blue Disco) until she died in 2012.
Most of the civil associations that participated in the March decided to separate from it due to a conflict of interest. They said Mammie Blue gave preference to the private initiative over activism.
THE FLOURISH
From 2009 to 2011, marches had relatively few participants as the local laws made it difficult to organize and hold marches. This was due to the prohibition that existed in the 1990s and into the early 2000s against gay clubs inside the city, coupled with the traditionally conservative Yucatecan society.
In 2012, the groups that had broken away from the Mammie Blue parade organized an alternative march called “The Goodbye March”, but in that same year the activist died, so civil associations assumed the march’s organization. Starting in 2013, the movement gradually gained strength with the union of all organizations and the participation of the younger generation of LGBTQIA+ people.
YUCATAN GAY PRIDE
During the years 2014 to 2018, the marches continued; however participation was still somewhat small. Over time, thenumber of participants increased, as did participation in other events such as protests including the “Day Against Homophobia” where protesters and members of the LGBTQIA+ community gathered in the Monumento a la Patria and held a mass “kiss-in.” The event is known as “Besaton”.
2019: A BIG PROTEST
In 2019, due to the refusal of the Yucatan state congress on two occasions, using secret ballots to pass asame-sex marriage law, a large number of protesters gathered for a huge march, approximately 8,000 people strong that included members of the LGBTQIA+ community, family members, allies, and many young people,, peacefully but strongly showing their support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
In 2020 there was no march due to the COVID-19, while in 2021 a march was held but with a very small number of participants due to ongoing pandemic.
JUNE 18, 2022: A GREAT CELEBRATION
This year, the Gay Pride march, “Pride Merida” is expected to attract thousands of people from not only Merida but across Mexico and beyond. The march will start at the iconic Monumento a la Patria and will pass through the famous Avenue Paseo de Montejo for the first time following 60th street until La Plaza Grande where will finish with a great show in front of the historic La Casa de Francisco de Montejo.
This year will celebrate the triumphs and advances in LGBTQIA+ rights in Yucatan with the recently approved Equal Marriage Law enacted by the State Congress at the end of 2021, despite significant opposition.
Artists, singers, musicians, performers & drag queens, all of them of national recognition, are expected in La Plaza Grande at the closing party, as well as at various events, after-parties, and a great feeling of celebration on this day. You are invited to join this unprecedented celebration this June 18, 2022, Do not miss it!
Gallery PRIDE 2019
Photos credits to Abraham Puebla
FUENTES: ENSAYO MÉRIDA GAY CRÓNICA DE LOS MOVIMIENTOS LGBTTT EN LA CIUDAD DE MÉRIDA (1960 – 2 0 1 4 ) GERMAN PASOS TZEC