The day when Mérida is painted with a thousand colors

The day when Mérida is painted with a thousand colors, How does Pride look in Mérida, Yucatán?

June is a month that brings with it key moments: the beginning of summer, the halfway point of the year, and significant celebrations such as LGBTQ+ Pride Day. In fact, this month is known as Pride Month.  

During this celebration, multiple activities take place, such as marches, parades, and festivities. They aim to seek equality in rights, dignified conditions, and the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community worldwide.  

Pride in Yucatán

In Yucatán, Pride is celebrated with an annual march called the "Marcha de la Diversidad Sexual" (March for Sexual Diversity). The first march in Mérida took place in 2003, organized with the help of civil associations and led by "Mamie Blue," one of the first Drag Queens in Yucatán.  

Pride Month in the Last Few Decades

The initial editions of the march did not have much attendance, mainly due to various sociopolitical factors experienced in our state during the 90s and 2000s.  

However, everything changed in the 2010s and 2020s as the movement gained more recognition and strength. More activities were carried out supporting LGBTQ+ rights, such as protests on the "International Day Against Homophobia" and the "Besatón," an event where hundreds of same-sex couples kissed in front of Monumento a la Patria.  

The peak of the march came in 2019 when over 8,000 people gathered peacefully to demand their rights, respect, and recognition. However, the 2020 and 2021 editions had several restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they were not carried out on the same scale.

 While Pride has faced some challenges over time, thanks to years of struggle, perseverance, and previous movements, positive changes have taken place in Yucatán. One of the most significant changes was the approval of same-sex marriage in 2021.  

Pride Yucatán 2025

With each edition, the colors multiply in Mérida; in 2023, more than 20,000 people walked peacefully from  Monumento a la Patria to Plaza Grande to the rhythm of music, songs, dance, and above all, joy. It is expected that this will grow even more in the coming years.  

A major change from earlier editions is that, although Mérida remains the epicenter, Pride marches are now also held in other municipalities such as Valladolid, Tizimín, Ticul, Progreso, Umán, Motul, and more. This expansion has been made possible thanks to the efforts of the community and the support received in recent years.

It’s worth noting that these events take place throughout June, with some extending into early July, boosting visibility for the cause.

Want to join Pride in Mérida?

The Mérida march, known as Pride Yucatán, is still the biggest in the state. If you want to join, just head to Monumento a la Patria this Saturday, June 7, and walk with the crowd to Plaza Grande, starting at 4 pm.

You can also check the official Pride Yucatán social media to find the full schedule of events and other marches happening across the state.

And the celebration doesn’t end when the march reaches its final stop. Throughout the month, many LGBTQ+ friendly bars, clubs, and spaces in Mérida host special events.

Pride Day is more than just a march, event, or party; it is a moment and space where LGBTQ+ community members can come together and feel safe, supported, and heard. It is a time when we collectively fight for our rights and a world where prejudice, attacks, and toxic behavior no longer exist—a world where we can simply be ourselves.  

IG: marcha_lgbt_merida
FB: Marcha de la Diversidad Sexual Mérida

Learn Where to Celebrate Pride in Mérida with our list of Places LGBTQ+ Friendly.