Puerto Vallarta’s Second Diversity Council Holds First Session

May 18, 2026

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Puerto Vallarta’s second Diversity Council (Cabildo de la Diversidad) convened its first formal working session Sunday, May 17, 2026, inside City Hall, where members of the citizen-led advisory body presented proposals aimed at advancing health, education, culture, employment and accessibility initiatives for the LGBTIQ+ community.

The working session took place within the framework of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. It followed an active morning itinerary where Diversity Council members joined local authorities, activists, and community members for LGBTIQ+ flag-raising ceremonies to kick off Vallarta Pride activities at various locations across the city: the Municipal Administrative Unit (UMA), Plaza del Pitillal, Hidalgo Park, Lázaro Cárdenas Plaza, and City Hall.

cabildo diversidad 2026 — Poncho Dávalos, president of the second Diversity Council presided over the session.

Juan Alfonso “Poncho” Pérez Dávalos, local real estate agent and LBGTIQ+ advocate, was named president of the second Diversity Council. Poncho presided over the session, which was coordinated alongside the city’s Department of Equity and the Fight Against Inequality and the Office of the Municipal Secretary.

Key Initiatives and Proposals

Among the initiatives presented by the members of the second Diversity Council, the most notable proposals included:

Providing training on gender identity and diversity in schools and workplaces.
Promoting the “Distintivo I” (Badge I) certification for inclusive businesses.
Creating a directory of safe services and LGBTQ+-friendly businesses.
Expanding psychological, psychiatric, and addiction prevention programs for members of the LGBTTTIQ+ community.
An environmental conservation initiative to protect a Ceiba tree specimen in the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood.

Municipal officials reiterated that the Diversity Council’s objective is to create a space for citizen participation and public policy proposals that support inclusion, respect, and equal rights for Puerto Vallarta’s sexual and gender-diverse communities.

Looking ahead, Poncho Dávalos explained that the next step will be working to promote these initiatives among local city councilors (regidores), seeking their support to bring the proposals to the full plenary session for final approval.