Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - SETAC, the GLBT Community Center, along with the general community organized a march against homophobia. On May 17th, 2011 the SETAC banner helped lead the progression of hundreds, which started in front of the Sheraton Hotel and ended at the City Hall Plaza. For the first time in history the gay flag flew proudly over La Presidencia, underneath the presidential balcony.

The demonstration received an overwhelmingly positive response, ending with festivities and celebratory performances. The community came together in this march to help stamp out homophobia in a day of tremendous solidarity between gay, straight and transsexual people. Homophobia is an irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals.

Author, activist, and civil rights leader Coretta Scott King stated, "Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and person hood."

Homophobia is an incredibly destructive force permeating our society that has devastating effects which include unemployment, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, STD transmission including HIV, poorer health care with discrimination throughout the medical establishment, premature mortality, hate crimes with physical violence, and murder.

Eliminating homophobia needs to be taken as a greater priority given its human impact. SETAC has been spearheading this effort in Puerto Vallarta, by gaining better access to health care and providing sensitive health care services for the GLBT population.

Mexico is becoming a leader in the human civil rights movement that extends to the GLBT community and will hopefully incorporate some of the changes necessary to eradicate homophobia. More work continues to be needed in Mexico's social systems, including better access to health care within the medical establishments, as well as more judicial services from the local police force, which continues to discriminate against, harass, and abuse the GLBT community. SETAC will diligently work with these organizations to help incorporate greater tolerance and acceptance.

SETAC has launched a totally new program. The purpose of the program is to unite businesses that welcome the GLBT community, and have shown a willingness to work with and be supportive of the GLBT community. To become a preferred business member please contact SETAC at (322) 224-1974 for more information.

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The purpose of the SETAC Puerto Vallarta Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, located at Constitucion #427 on the corner of Manuel Dieguez, is to provide essential services to the GLBT community, including support in recovery from alcoholism and other afflictions, physical and mental health treatment and referrals, education and recreation in an atmosphere of safety, free from discrimination. For more information, contact Paco Arjona at (322) 224-1974 or paco(at)setac.com.mx.

Click HERE to learn more about Centro Comunitario SETAC-GLBT.