‘Teto’ Betancourt Talks on Activism, Leading Sexual Diversity Office

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Héctor “Teto” Betancourt, a familiar face in local activism for decades, is now spearheading a new era of LGBTQ+ inclusion as the head of the Sexual Diversity Office in the Puerto Vallarta Municipal Government. Openly gay and dedicated to the cause, his central mission is clear: to raise awareness and eradicate homophobia in his hometown.

For the 58-year-old Betancourt, social work is second nature. His journey began in his adolescence with the local Rotaract Club, where his initiatives ranged from delivering food packages to underserved communities to donating toys to low-income children. His drive quickly made him president of the club, cementing his commitment to helping people in need.

After a brief foray into local politics during and after high school, Teto stepped back, recognizing a fundamental conflict.

“I realized you can’t be both an activist and a politician; they don’t go well together. So, I inclined myself to activism,” he says, clarifying that he always viewed the work as something to be done without vested or lucrative interests.

Around 30 years ago, Teto expanded his focus to the challenges facing the local LGBTQ+ population. As an openly gay man, he began by volunteering at Vallarta Contra el Sida (Vallarta Against AIDS), helping with STD prevention efforts.

His commitment deepened after joining the association SETAC, where he immersed himself in human rights. While serving as director of the Consultative Committee, he attended a Human Rights workshop in León, Guanajuato. There, he connected with representatives from other associations, leading to the formation of a National Human Rights Commission for all LGBTQ+ matters.

“We were living rough times, when you could get on a police patrol only for taking your boyfriend’s hand on the street,” he recalls. 

One of their first actions in Vallarta was crucial: training and raising awareness among more than 600 police officials. They also worked to instruct local businesses on appropriate ways to approach and serve LGBTQ+ people.

More recently, Betancourt is proud to have contributed to initiatives that secured major legal breakthroughs for the community in Puerto Vallarta, including the passage of same-sex marriage (2016) and legal gender recognition (2020), which were approved during the administration of former municipal president Arturo Dávalos. 

Leading the New Office

Established earlier this year by the current administration of municipal president Luis Munguía, the Sexual Diversity Office is centrally located in Parque Lázaro Cárdenas in the Zona Romántica.

The office’s core mission is to provide comprehensive care and assistance to the local LGBTQ+ community. It acts as a vital link, connecting individuals with social workers, lawyers, and health professionals who offer services free of charge. The support doesn’t stop there: Teto’s team also conducts essential outreach in surrounding neighborhoods, holding workshops and talks focused on sexual and psychological violence, mental health, and LGBTQ+ discrimination.

“Raising awareness among local families has been our priority, because homophobia starts at home, and if we don’t address this, we won’t be able to make things change,” Teto asserts.

In addition to its direct advocacy, the Office collaborates closely with COMUSIDA (Municipal Committee for AIDS Prevention) on HIV prevention efforts, including testing and condom distribution.

Teto encourages the broader LGBTQ+ community to visit the office, stressing the importance of vulnerable people reaching out for help without fear. The team is dedicated to ensuring they are linked with the necessary authorities and professionals. The Sexual Diversity Office is open to the public Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

More about Teto Betancourt

Teto, who holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Guadalajara, is an active member of the Mexican LGBT Coalition, the National Observatory of Hate Crimes, and the National LGBT Congress. In addition to his activism, he has worked as a teacher at institutions including America Latina High School, the UNE, and Arkos University Center. In his spare time, he enjoys the performing arts and music. He stays connected with the community through his active social media presence, where he hosts his talk show, “El Desmadre con Teto,” streamed on Facebook every Thursday at 7 p.m. from Divas Bar.

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