10 LGBTQ-owned Businesses in Mexico City
In a recent survey carried out by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, it was discovered that there has been a 77% increase in the number of companies that are committed to being more inclusive and hiring members from the LGBTQ+ community. An impressive 154 out of the 235 Mexican companies involved are based in Mexico City. It also uncovered that 17.5% of these companies have a staff member at director or manager level who identifies themselves as LGBTQ+. In this post we highlight and celebrate 10 LGBTQ-owned businesses in Mexico City.
Casai is proud to be an innovative and leading startup in the hospitality and technology industry in Latin America — shaping the way people travel, live and work. While our elegantly designed smart homes and providing the best possible guest experience are key values that drive the heart of Casai, we also strive to create a better future. One that accepts each and everyone of us.
Nico Barawid is the CEO and Co-founder of Casai, and as a gay founder, Nico’s mission is to create spaces that are welcoming, safe and inclusive for all communities. To celebrate Pride Month this June, Casai is donating $10 from each booking made for our apartments in Mexico to Refugio Casa Frida — a shelter for young gays, lesibians, trans and trans non-binary people who have been abandoned by their families.
El Armario Abierto in Roma Norte translates literally as “the open closet”. It was the first library in Mexico dedicated to sexuality and was opened by two of Mexico’s top sexologists in 1998. The library is home to an array of books covering important topics such as: sexual health, sexual violence and abuse, sex therapy, and the mental, and social well-being related to sexuality.
In 2000, co-founder, Dr. Rinna Riesenfeld Robinson released her book: “Mum and Dad, I’m gay”. As a result, El Armario Abierto began hosting self-support meetings for mothers and fathers whose children identify themselves as LGBTQ+. There are also many more talks, workshops and even therapies available at this welcoming library. It’s a safe space for those who want to learn more about sexuality, beit their own or a family member’s.
This collective space was founded in September 2015 by Libertad García, Iván Martínez and Angélica Gay with the aim to integrate lesbians and women. This space is where women in Mexico City are safe from sexist violence and gender inequality. Punto Gozadera is a LGBTQ-owned vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurant as well as a feminist cultural space.
Decorated with murals, graffiti, flags and posters that all shout out non-discrimination pleas. Women come to eat and have fun together and discuss the fight for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, gender equality, and the on-going femicides. All the activities organized at Punto Gozadera keep gender and sexual diversity topics in mind. Past programs include: kickboxing for women; sexual abuse survivor group talks; and monthly support workshops for Trans people.
Salón Silicón opened its doors in December 2018 in the Escandón neighborhood of Mexico City. What was once a beauty salon, this gallery is perfectly framed by a glittering jigsaw puzzle of mosaics. It’s now a space dedicated to promoting the art work of female, queer and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
As you enter, you instantly notice the wicked sense of humor of the three friends and owners: Romeo Gómez López, Olga Rodríguez and Laos Salazar. Each individual brings something unique to the table. Romeo is a visual artist who works primarily with sex shows, which represent a resistance to the expectations of being heterosexual. Olga is a gallery owner, with experience in the production of contemporary art. Whereas, Laos is an independent artist who works on queer subjectivity and homosexual masculinity.
The exhibitions at this LGBTQ-owned Salón Silicón are full of color, enriched with deep, cultural messages. Check their Instagram for current exhibitions.
Ali Gua Gua and her partner, Diana Torres, opened La Cañita in Colonia Doctores in December 2017. Both women play important roles in the LGBTQ+ community of Mexico City and are infamous members of the DF queer venue, Casa Gomorra. Ali has been a member of Cumbia bands, like the Ultrasónicas and the Kumbia Queers. Diana is most known for her book, La Pornoterrorista.
This small but versatile LGBTQ-owned cevichería is a haven for their clients, located close to the Lucha Libre stadium. But this duo has their own fights to win, after a lesbophonic attack in 2019 and the closure of the venue during the pandemic. Little by little, La Cañita is rising from the ashes (literally) and adapting to changes so they can continue to be a safe place for the LGTBQ+ community, as well as serving fresh and delicious seafood. Soon, the iconic black and white candy-stripe walls will house people from all kinds of backgrounds and sexual orientations and they will be able to dance to cumbia, enjoy live poetry and perform karaoke together once again.
Gay couple, Beto and Jorge, from Casa Jacaranda create an unforgettable cooking class experience in Mexico City. It begins at Colonia Roma’s Medellín Market, where Beto and Jorge meet you. Be introduced to the best specialty vendors and butchers where you will find seasonal vegetables. Continue to their beautiful, colonial house from 1913 where you will begin learning the art of sazón.
The eccentric personalities of Beto and Jorge are represented by the colorful, fresh and authentic dishes you prepare together. After eating under the Jacaranda tree on the rooftop, engage in Mexico’s sobremesa tradition — enjoying glasses of crisp wine and interesting conversation as if you were having a dinner party with close friends. This LGBTQ-owned experience is not to be missed.
“¡Tacos!, ¡tacos de canasta!, ¡tacos!”, chants Francisco Marven across the Zócalo in the historic center of Mexico City. The 36-year-old who is fondly known as the ‘Lady Tacos de Canasta’, identifies as Mexico’s ‘Muxe’ third-gender. Born in the state of Oaxaca, Marven is of Mixtec origin, however she identifies with the neighboring Zapotec indigenous transgender tradition of muxes from El Istmo, who mix gay male and female characteristics.
Marven became internationally known when she was featured on the Netflix’s series, Tacos Chronicle in 2019. The Canasta episode, where Marven and her tacos de canasta star as the protagonists, went on to win a James Beard Media Award in 2020.
In December 2020, Oaxacan restaurant, Ushara, invited Marven to sell her famous tacos from a new location in Narvarte, allowing her to have her own business. This made it possible for locals and fans alike to order her infamous tacos using online delivery apps, such as DiDi (search for Taco Game Narvarte) and UberEats (search for Usharu). With her new restaurant, Marven is also supporting 25 families in Oaxaca who she sources all of her ingredients from. You can now also find Lady Tacos de Canasta in her second restaurant behind Las Bellas Artes in the center of Mexico City.
Most recently, Marven launched her candidacy to be local deputy of the district, Coyoacán in Mexico City. She vows to protect the street sellers of Mexico, who were heavily affected by strict restrictions in Mexico City during the pandemic. Marven is backed by the Elige party who support gender equality and freedom. On the ballot she was identified by her family name, Juan Francisco Martinez, as well as ‘Lady Tacos de Canasta’ to show the world of her dual identity.
Proudly flying a rainbow flag outside, this café meets plant shop has become a new LGBTQ+ hotspot in Zona Rosa. The owner, Bruno Urueta, and his boyfriend have longed to create a safe space for young people from the LGBTQ+ community. He also aims to support the local community by offering jobs for people who are sexually and gender diverse.
Wednesdays seem to be the most popular day at this LGBTQ-owned cafe, for it’s extended opening hours until 10pm and promotion of three caguamas (940ml bottle of beer) for MX$50. Bruno and his boyfriend love to throw parties to watch drag reality competition show, ‘La Más Draga.’ Soon they will be showing LGBT films, with the idea of creating a movie club where people can come and debate topics and critique movies.
Highly acclaimed Chef, Gerardo Vázquez Lugo, paved the way for the slow-food movement in Mexico City with his family restaurant, Nicos. This openly-inclusive restaurant represents ancient and modern Mexican traditions through dishes that respect ethnic and environmental diversity in Mexico. In 2018, Nicos was named one of the 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America.
As a gay chef, Vázquez Lugo embraces people from all skin colors, ages and sexual identities into his restaurant and also to become part of his team. He’s also known to bake desserts adorned with the rainbow flag during the famous Mexico City Pride Parade and welcomes all celebrating this important month.
La Zona began in 2017 as travelling events for lesbian and queer women throughout Colonia Roma. However, as the events grew, La Zona started to host ‘The Talks Zone’, where three recognized women from the LGBT+ community share themes of mental health, sexuality, gender identity, and feminism. The talks usually end with a wild DJ party.
Their parties have become the go to place for lesbian and queer women in Mexico City as they found many Gay Bars in Zona Rosa to be more male focused. The events are on hold at the moment due to Covid-19 restrictions, but check their social media for any announcements.
Victor Fernando is the face behind Romeo y Julián in Roma Sur. He grew up in Villa del Carbón in the State of México and when he was 16-years-old taking his exams to enter University, he knew he was ready to break out of this small village and step into the world of Mexican fashion. However, a Dentistry degree was the only affordable option. One year later, he left this course, absolutely terrified of the anesthetic class and went on to pursue his fashion dream.
Victor took runway courses with Alejandra Carcedo, who invited him to participate in shows featuring Mexican designers. Today, Victor has his own fashion label, Romeo y Julián, where he creates fabulous, hand-made streetwear and underwear, mainly targeted at the colorful LGBTQ+ community.
Ready to book your stay in our LGBTQ+ friendly apartments in Mexico City? Check our available units and don’t forget that $10 from each booking made in June will be donated to Refugio Casa Frida.
