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During a press conference for the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG), Pavel Cortés, director of the event’s LGBTIQ+ section “Premio Maguey,” called on Puerto Vallarta authorities to recognize the career and legacy of Paco Ruiz, a pioneer for the LGBT+ community in the destination.
The statement was made during the announcement of the 2026 Premio Maguey Posthumous Tribute, which will be awarded to Ruiz, highlighting his role in establishing Puerto Vallarta as a national and international benchmark for sexual diversity.
Cortés asked for a round of applause in memory of the activist and acknowledged that “brave and transgressive” figures like Paco Ruiz made possible the spaces of freedom and visibility that exist today for the LGBT+ community. Furthermore, he described Puerto Vallarta as a “queer paradise,” whose reputation is directly linked to this type of leadership.
Cecilio Ruiz, the activist’s brother, was present at the event representing the family.
The director of the Premio Maguey emphasized that the recognition seeks not only to honor Ruiz’s career but also to raise awareness about the historical figures of sexual diversity to whom—he noted—many of today’s rights and spaces are owed.
The tribute will be formally presented this Monday night during the “Queerciañera” party, with the activist’s family in attendance.
The nomination of Paco Ruiz for this recognition was spearheaded by the Movement for Equality in Mexico (MOVii), an organization that promoted the process to make his cultural and social legacy visible.
About Paco Ruiz
Ruiz transformed Puerto Vallarta into an LGBTQ+ destination. In 1989, he opened the bar Paco Paco, a turning point for the city’s nightlife that helped establish the Romantic Zone as a safe hub for the community.
His activism peaked in 1991 when police arrested him after he defended a lesbian couple. Activists call the incident the “Stonewall of Vallarta,” a pivotal moment against discrimination.
Ruiz aided transgender people with legal processes, challenged discriminatory practices and promoted spaces of freedom and dignity. He died Sept. 7, 2016. His legacy symbolizes resistance, community and social change.
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