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Photos by Christian Velasco. Video by Zack de la Cerda.
Carlos Plascencia, head of the Sexual Diversity Department for the City of Puerto Vallarta, presided over the ceremonial raising of a permanent LGBTQ+ flag at Lázaro Cárdenas Park in the Romantic Zone on Friday, January 23, 2026, in observance of Freedom Day.
Plascencia was joined by municipal authorities who reaffirmed Mayor Luis Munguía’s commitment to the needs of the LGBTQ+ collective, as well as activists and individuals who have dedicated their lives to securing rights for the community.
This act aims to increase the visibility of diverse individuals, grant them dignity, and recognize their historic struggles within Puerto Vallarta. Furthermore, the flag serves as a symbol of the area’s consolidation as an open, safe space for both LGBTQ+ residents and visitors.
Measuring approximately 6 meters long and 3 meters wide, the flag flies from a mast located near the park’s event esplanade. It carries its own history, having been used previously in Pride festivals, marches, and protests; despite sustaining damage in the past, it was repaired specifically for this ceremony.
“This flag has been stepped on and soiled over time, but it stands as a testament to what the LGBTQ+ community has endured. That is why it is vital to display it here with pride. It is a reminder of this struggle, and we all represent it,” Plascencia stated during the event.
Municipal officials, including Vivían Bravo Pérez, Ricardo Galván, Vincent O’Halloran Lepe, and Councilman Luis Escoto, emphasized the importance of ensuring equal rights for all and eradicating discrimination. The audience included activists, leaders of health organizations and associations, business owners, members of the media, and the general public, all of whom witnessed the flag-raising in a solemn yet joyful atmosphere.
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