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Gay and Lesbian Life in Merida Yucatan Mexico Gay Yucatan? Gay Merida? Well that is an understatement! Merida has the largest gay community in the Yucatan Peninsula. Merida is a city of 800,000 people, so you do the math! The gay community is much larger than gay life in Cancun or Playa Del Carmen.. Merida is a lot of fun! However, it is not the "White Party" or "Southern Decadence" type of fun. Gay life in Merida is a little more reserved in public, but wild behind closed doors or in the secluded courtyards and pools of local homes.

Gay life in Merida takes place at the gay bars in private homes and at private parties. When coming to Merida you will need to adjust your gaydar to bi-dar. Historically, the Mayan culture has had a gay/ bi-sexual element to it. It was not until the Spaniards arrived that gay/bi life went underground. When you ask someone if he is gay, he may say "no"! However, that may not mean "NO"! You will also find that most locals under the age of 30 speak English and are very happy to show you their city and share their culture with you.

Mérida has a very large gay community both gay ex-pats and gay Yucatecans. The cost of living in Merida is low and the quality of life is great. Merida is full of many beautiful colonial homes that are waiting to be renovated and restored. The Merida English Library is a great place to meet people.

Gay life in Merida Yucatan In a Catholic country like Mexico, prejudice towards homosexuality still exists. Nevertheless, a general atmosphere of tolerance reigns in the large cities like Merida. Civil unions and marriages between same sex couples are not legal in the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Mexican government does not punish sex between or among individuals of the same sex as long as they are consenting adults. The age of consent is 18. Most Mexican citizens carry a Federal voter identification card. That is an official ID and will contain the person’s date of birth.

So if you are in doubt about his age, ask to see his ID. If he “left it at home”, be suspicious, he may be underage (or just “blonde”)! Sex with a minor is considered a rape and punishable by imprisonment. And remember that in Mexico you are guilty until proven innocent so you may spend quite some time in jail before trial.

The Yucatan is one of the safest states in Mexico, and the same goes for Merida. You cannot walk down the street holding hands with a person of the same sex, but other than that, you would find the city safe and its citizens friendly and cordial.