Inclusivity takes centre stage at Gala Puerto Vallarta Nayarit
The coastal city of Puerto Vallarta used a celebrity appearance to further solidify its reputation as a welcoming and inclusive destination for the LGBTQ+ community.
Prominent drag icon Shangela, a star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, made an appearance at the opening of annual tourism show Gala Puerto Vallarta Nayarit, which promotes both Puerto Vallarta and part of neighbouring state of Nayarit.
Shangela told a nighttime gathering that kicked off the tourism show and included prominent regional tourism officials that Puerto Vallarta, which has long hosted an annual gay pride celebration, has numerous gay bars and is the first Latin American city to host the Gay Games.
“Puerto Vallarta is one of my favourite places to visit and I’ve been to the entire world,” Shangela said during the ceremony, held at the Almar Resort, one of many resorts that offer a welcoming environment.
Luis Villasenor, head of Puerto Vallarta’s tourism board, told those who gathered at the Almar that all can be comfortable and that they’ll feel at home in Puerto Vallarta.
“It’s an inclusive city. It’s a welcoming city,” he said.
Also attending was MIchelle Fridman, tourism secretary for the state of Jalisco, which includes Puerto Vallarta, and who later said she’s proud of Puerto Vallarta’s acceptance of the LGBT+ people but its welcoming nature doesn’t stop with that community.
“We are gay-friendly but we are friendly with everyone,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Shangela praised Puerto Vallarta and its gay community during her Puerto Vallarta appearance.
“This community is strong,” she stated. “This community is beautiful.”
