Why visibility, support, and safe spaces matter more than ever.
As a member of the LGBTQI+ community — whether living in San Miguel de Allende or considering it as your next getaway — it’s natural to ask, What’s here for us? You might search online for queer bars, drag shows, or even Pride celebrations, and come up surprisingly short. For a city that thrives on its creative spirit and global appeal, the visible LGBTQI+ presence is more subdued than you might expect.
And there’s a reason for that.
In 2024, San Miguel’s Pride parade was abruptly shut down by local police — despite organizers having full permits. It wasn’t a logistical issue. It wasn’t a misunderstanding. It was a silencing. “The moment was loud and clear,” says local drag performer and activist Cash Kween. “It showed how difficult it still is for the LGBTQI+ community to be seen and supported here.”
But this isn’t a story about a roadblock. It’s about what’s being built in spite of it.
Enter: TuesgayMX
Four years ago, Cash Kween (aka Carlos Sánchez) returned to San Miguel and co-founded TuesgayMX — a community-driven series of events created to carve out space for connection, creativity, and queer joy. What started as an idea among friends has evolved into one of the city’s most important platforms for alternative culture. Think drag shows in hidden bars, pop-up art nights, live DJs, spontaneous performances, and deeply felt community.
“We wanted to create a network — a place where artists, visitors, and locals could come together, collaborate, and be themselves,” says Kween.
“It’s not just nightlife. It’s resistance through celebration.”
TuesgayMX is now more than a weekly night out — it’s a movement. It’s about reclaiming space in a city that too often overlooks the people helping to keep its cultural heartbeat alive.
A Community That Pays In and Gets Left Out
The LGBTQI+ community — tourists and locals alike — plays a huge role in San Miguel’s economic engine. They fill the boutique hotels, eat at the best restaurants, shop with intention, and bring global energy to a town that depends on creative currency. And yet, this same community remains underrepresented, underserved, and in moments like Pride 2024 — actively shut down.
It’s a reminder that progress isn’t guaranteed. Rights can be revoked. And visibility is still a fight.
“The LGBTQI+ community is an essential part of this city, and it’s time that both the public and private sectors recognized that,” says Kween.
“Support doesn’t stop after Pride month. It has to be constant. It has to be intentional.”
When Progress Hits Pause
It’s also worth noting that, while Mexico has progressive national laws, local realities don’t always reflect that. In Guanajuato, same-sex marriage became fully legal on December 20, 2021, when—citing Supreme Court precedents—the state issued Directive 2261/2021, allowing queer couples to marry without seeking a judicial injunction. Yet, this change was short-lived: the directive expired on September 26, 2024, meaning same-sex couples once again must appear before a judge or obtain an “amparo” to marry—reintroducing an avoidable legal obstacle heterosexual couples don’t face.
Why This Matters Right Now
With anti-LGBTQI+ legislation rising across the U.S. and around the world, the importance of visibly queer, safe, and inclusive spaces is greater than ever. What happens here in San Miguel isn’t separate from that — it’s part of the same global conversation about freedom, expression, and human rights.
If we don’t actively support our LGBTQI+ community — through policy, art, economics, and presence — we risk allowing silence to become the norm.
And San Miguel deserves better.
Looking Ahead: Pride 2025
Despite the setbacks of last year, Pride is returning to San Miguel de Allende in 2025 — louder, bolder, and more visible than ever. Mark your calendars: the Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, July 12th, and it’s shaping up to be a celebration that demands presence. Whether you’re marching, promoting, performing, or simply soaking it all in from the sidelines, showing up matters. Visibility is resistance. Joy is protest.
Organizers are also currently hosting a talent search for LGBTQI+ artists and performers to be part of the official closing show. This is a chance to bring your voice, your art, your presence to the heart of the celebration. To get involved, submit your proposal to co***********************@***il.com by July 1st.
Stay tuned for updates on @Pride_SMA and right here on Savant — we’ll be covering the lead-up to Pride and spotlighting some of the creatives helping to shape it.
Because showing up for Pride isn’t just about one day. It’s about building a city where everyone belongs — all year round.
How to Show Up:
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Follow and support local groups like @TuesgayMX & @Pride_SMA
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Attend events and tip performers, show up to support and march in the 2025 Pride Parade (July 12th, 2025 – more details to come) — it keeps the culture alive
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Advocate for fair public policy and representation year-round
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Recognize the LGBTQI+ community as not just part of San Miguel’s story — but its future
As Kween puts it:
“We’re not just looking for acceptance — we’re creating a world where everyone belongs.”
Author: Savant Editors
We're Savant, San Miguel de Allende’s new online lifestyle and culture magazine. Created for curious travelers, locals, and design and food lovers alike, Savant offers curated stories and an authentic look into the people, places, and passions that shape this iconic town. More than a publication, it’s a cultural community, and your invitation to experience San Miguel like never before.
