In addition to being the Mexican capital, CDMX is an inclusive and diverse metropolis that is home to a significant percentage of the entire LGBT+ community nationwide. Over the past few years, and thanks to the conviction of hundreds of activists, the city has evolved to provide safe and welcoming spaces for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. If you are reading this article, you are probably wondering… What are these places, and more specifically, what are the most LGBT+ friendly neighborhoods nowadays? Discover them in the following list and find the home of your dreams with Nolab.
What is the current landscape for the LGBT+ community in terms of housing and safe spaces?
The LGBT+ community in Mexico City has seen significant progress in terms of rights and visibility. The country’s capital is a pioneer in the implementation of laws that protect LGBT+ people, including equal marriage since 2009 and homoparental adoption since 2010. In addition, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism, last year the CDMX received for the second time the LGBT+ Travel Awards as “Best LGBT+ Urban Destination”. Best LGBTTTI+ Urban Destination. “. While all of this represents important advances for the community in terms of inclusion and respect, there are still challenges that need to be addressed:
- Lack of inclusive housing: there is currently a sufficient supply of housing specifically designed for the needs of the LGBT+ community, such as safe spaces for trans people or homoparental families. The increase in housing costs in the CDMX and worldwide in the main capitals of the world, is another aspect that hinders access for LGBT+ people, a community that has historically been segregated.
- Discrimination to buy or rent a property: Unfortunately, it is still common in some places to encounter cases where LGBT+ people are denied to rent or sell property because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, or are required to meet stricter requirements compared to heterosexual people. Undoubtedly, awareness and respect still need to be strengthened in this area by local regulations and society.
In this scenario, year after year the most outstanding event for the community is the LGBT+ Pride March, held at the end of June. This march not only celebrates diversity, but also promotes equality and human rights. Pride in the CDMX is a crucial moment for the community, where people from all over the world come together to celebrate and defend inclusion and acceptance.
What makes a colony LGBT+ friendly?
An LGBT+ friendly neighborhood is one that offers an inclusive, diverse and safe environment for people. These neighborhoods generally have a very active cultural life and have inclusive businesses for the community at any time of the day, with special emphasis on nightlife. These neighborhoods also tend to have high security, good connectivity, and a wide range of services such as shopping centers, restaurants, bazaars, museums. Specifically, for a colony to be LGBT+ friendly, it should ideally meet the following 3 key aspects:
- Acceptance and visibility: An LGBT+ friendly neighborhood must have a visible presence of the community, manifested through businesses, organizations and events aimed at this sector of the population. This includes parks, shopping malls, gyms, restaurants and clubs that encourage and celebrate the inclusion of people with diverse sexual and gender identities. This presence not only makes the area welcoming, but also creates a sense of belonging and support for its inhabitants.
- Safety: Safety is a fundamental pillar of an LGBT+ friendly neighborhood. In this regard, it is particularly important that the area has low rates of violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, ensuring that people can live without fear of being assaulted or discriminated against. The presence of security cameras and personnel that promote safety and respect is crucial to deter possible acts of violence and discrimination. In addition, the existence of support networks within the community provides assistance and reinforces a sense of security and community cohesion.
- Access to housing options and job opportunities: We are talking about areas where access to decent housing for the LGBT+ community is a crucial point, as well as a wide range of properties for single people, couples or same-sex families. Ideally, these areas should have proximity to companies that encourage and celebrate inclusion in their internal positions, which helps the development of this sector of the population so important for the local and national economy.
Top 7 most LGBT+ friendly neighborhoods in CDMX
- Colonia Juarez.
- Colonia Cuauhtémoc.
- Colonia Condesa.
- Colonia Roma.
- Colonia Polanco.
- Colonia Del Valle.
- Colonia Nápoles.
These neighborhoods share several characteristics that make them stand out as inclusive and attractive places to live for the LGBT+ community. First, they offer a safe and welcoming environment where diversity and inclusion are celebrated and respected.
Practically each of these districts has numerous spaces where inclusion is promoted and the presence of the community is highly valued. On the other hand, the privileged location of these neighborhoods allows for excellent connectivity and access to public transportation, facilitating mobility within the city, making these areas also desirable for the general population to live in.
The presence of recreational spaces such as parks and esplanades is also a constant in the 7 neighborhoods, providing places for recreation and relaxation. Finally, the quality of life in these neighborhoods is high, with a wide range of services and amenities that meet the daily needs of their residents.
Recommendations for finding a house or apartment in one of these neighborhoods:
- Make sure you know your rights: As a member of the LGBT+ community, it’s crucial to be informed about the rights that protect you against housing discrimination.
- Learn about co-financing programs: Investigate the options available to facilitate the purchase or rental of a home.
- Hire an experienced real estate agent: Look for an agent who understands your needs and has experience working with the LGBT+ community.
- Choose a friendly neighborhood: Consider factors such as safety, proximity to services and the existence of a visible and active LGBT+ community.
At Nolab we understand the participation of the LGBT+ community in the real estate market and we celebrate the inclusion of this group of people in our internal operation as a company, so our specialists are highly sensitive to the main needs that the community experiences when looking for a property to invest and grow their wealth. Would you like to receive personalized advice to choose your next great investment in one of these neighborhoods? Contact us and one of our specialists will contact you shortly.
