The Gay Games head to Guadalajara this year which make it a big queer destination
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
rich@dallasvoice.com
Mexico is the travel gift that keeps on giving: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Cancun. Guadalajara is certainly in that mix, but from here on out, do not underestimate the Jalisco city as a queer destination.
The scene, the food and the people make Guadalajara an awesome spot, but when it serves as the host city for this year’s 2023 Gay Games XI (along with Hong Kong), the city will make a big statement as a prominent queer destination.
So what’s to know about the Western Mexico capital city in the state of Jalisco with a population shy of 2 million?
Let’s start with the Games.
The arrival of the Gay Games in our city represents a great opportunity for social change towards the LGBTTTIQA+ community in addition to generating jobs and growth opportunities for everyone. (From the official Gay Games Guadalajara website gggdl2023.org)
Catedral, located in the center of Guadalajara, is a legendary historical building.
The 2023 Gay Games run Nov. 3-11 across a number of venues throughout Guadalajara, showcasing 21 sports and competitions and celebrated with both opening and closing ceremonies. Throughout the Games, entertainment, parties and exhibitions are on the schedule at 20-plus venues or locations.
There are no host hotels, but the website does link to a number of accommodations.
These Gay Games are the first to be held in a Latin American country. Held every four years, the Gay Games are a diverse sports and cultural experience for both participants and spectators. Some 10,000 athletes participate in the Games each time.
So yes, this is kind of a big deal. And it’s just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from DFW.
“To everyone from all different walks of life, cultures, and nations, we proudly welcome you to Guadalajara, Mexico, a city where Mexican traditions such as Tequila, Mariachi and Charrería, meet the modern culture. Guadalajara exists in its flavors, smells, and sights, and uncountable memories and stories yet to be told. The adventure awaits you.”
The city itself is remarkably and beautifully adorned with historic architecture, public art, restaurants ranging from streetside stands to elegant fine dining establishments and an LGBTQ scene that is inviting, festive and proud. Guadalajara Pride, in fact, is among the largest celebrations in Latin America.
Perhaps what’s most appealing about the city and the state even is that Jalisco has prioritized both its LGBTQ+ community and its LGBTQ+ travelers.
From VisitGuadalajara.com:
“• Jalisco, Mexico is the only state in Mexico to employ a sexual diversity director in its government. Andrés Treviño, Jalisco’s first sexual diversity director, started in December 2018 to guide the state on LGBTQI+ goals and issues through public policy and more. He has been successful with the implementation of important legislation to address issues important to the community.
“• Jalisco is the first and, at the moment, only Mexican state to recognize trans kids’ and youth’s rights to their legal identity.
“• Jalisco is one of the few Mexican states that has legislation over hate crimes.
“• Jalisco has a local law to promote equality that explicitly establishes the affirmative actions that must be taken to promote LGBT+ equality.
“•Gay marriage is legal in the state of Jalisco.”
With states here in the U.S. passing laws left and right targeting the queer communities, drag, trans and women’s communities, Jalisco sounds pretty nice! And that safe space gives G-town some pretty major travel destination appeal.
Gay Games countdown ceremony
The food scene in Guadalajara is on point, and some chefs, like Fabian Delgado, are leading the charge to put traditional Mexican dishes at the forefront.
His Yunaites restaurant is in the middle of the busy Calle Garibaldi, among several sidewalk vendors winding through a sort of co-op building, with more markets all under one roof. Seating is limited, but you should grab a seat at the single large table with other diners for some Cafe de Olla and chilaquiles en salsa de comal that hit just right with slight spice and heat, anchored by black beans and pickled onions.
The farm-to-table Allium (allium.com.mx) offers unique flavors and combinations on its rotating menu, but outside of its mini-ceviche tacos and squid ink noodles, the burnt tortilla ice cream is mind blowing enough to boggle the taste buds and the brain.
Many restaurants and bars have open-air structures, from small eateries like the gorgeous La Postreria (@postreria.mex), where desserts and lunch rule (as well as onsite baking classes), and the massive but stunning Casa Luna (@restaurante_casa_luna) in the Tlaquepaque Arts District.
Tlaquepaque is somewhat comparable to Dallas’ Bishop Arts District — only times 100 and on steroids. Artisanal shops and galleries are endless amid the streets decorated with colorful flags and public art. The crowds only add to the dynamic energy of the entire area, which was designated as one of Mexico’s Magical Towns.
While there are more than enough selections for dining, Casa Luna mixes elegance with homestyle nature and trees right next to tables in its courtyard area where a band might be playing during lunch. Served in shells, the cazuela cocktail is fruity without being overly sweet or strong, but more than two are lethal! Detaching the cheese of the molcajetes is a fun challenge, and bread bowl soups definitely declare we’re not in Panera anymore.
For casual cool dining, snag a rich coffee and brunch at Pal Real (linktr.ee/palreal) or the stylish Veneno Restaurant (VenenoRestaurante.com) inside the Dear-God-this-is-a-food-court? food court Pannarama. Grab craft cocktails and tapas along with a drag show at Alex Serratos’ Peligro (@peligrobienrico).
Gay Games countdown ceremony
For the history buff, the city center satisfies with its legendary history and its grand old building. Catedral is a monumental construct inside and out, with marble and gold details inside and even a section of catacombs.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Museo Cabanas and the Palacio de Gobierno are impressive buildings with the added beauty of Jose Clemente Orozco’s massive murals.
In November 2022, Trevino curated the exhibition 40 Años de la Visibilidad – LGBTIQ+ en Guadalajara, a comprehensive display of the city’s own Stonewall moment to the present day. The exhibition was held in the Ex Convento del Carmen, a 17th century church converted into a museum/gallery.
The exhibit also included a recreation of one of the first gay clubs in Guadalajara with disco ball and bar and a stage where events were held monthly.
“Guadalajara is one of the main LGBTIQ+ friendly places in Mexico and in the world and so is Puerto Vallarta, our “Official After Destination ‘’, being one of the LGBTIQ+ community’s favorite international destinations due to its weather, vibrant energy and recreational scene.
By the way, if you were wondering, they use the alphabet soup a little differently there. You will see LGBTIQ+ with the I included for intersexed. Other times, they use LGBTTTIQA in which the three Ts begin with travesti (which translates to transvestite in English but is used here for gender identity), transexual and transgenero (transgender) and then A for asexual. But ultimately, it all speaks the same queer language as our own, which made Guadalajara a respite from today’s vitriol right here at home.
