Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The third gay pride festival in our destination began with the International March Against Homophobia. This event, which began at 6:00 pm on May 17th at the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort in the city's Hotel Zone, showed a united Puerto Vallarta in the fight for gender equality.

However, the Vallarta Pride 2015 festivities are not only to celebrate and pay tribute to the LGBT community, but also to celebrate tolerance in our city and those who decide to live life without prejudices. This 9-day festival has been possible thanks to various Puerto Vallarta companies and civil associations that support the cause with pride.

The largest showcase to demonstrate the UNITY of our society will be the great Vallarta Pride Parade, scheduled to take place this Saturday May 23, 2015 at 5:00 pm. The parade will start at the Hotel Sheraton Buganvilias and will continue along the Malecon, crossing the Rio Cuale bridge, continuing along Ignacio L. Vallarta, turning right on Venustiano Carranza onto Olas Altas and culminating on Rodolfo Gómez.

These are some of the more than 30 LGBT and LGBT-friendly companies will be a part of the parade through the streets of Puerto Vallarta:

• Aaron's Rainbow Room • ACT II Entertainment • AM Arquitectura • Ambassador of Pride • Bar Frida • Biblioteca Los Mangos • Blue Chairs Resort • Casa Cupula • Casa Enigma • CC Slaughters • Chuy • Fallen Fruit • Flowers to Go • Grupo ACIR • Hotel Mercurio • La Cueva • La Noche • LGBT Confex • No Way! José • Paco's Ranch • Palmera Vacations • Piñata Gay Guest House • Puerto Vallarta Men's Chorus • Reinas Bar • Spanish Experience Center • Spartacus Sauna • The Property Girl • Victoria Volkova • Women on Bikes • Xavier Yager

There will be prizes for the best float, the best car and the best walking group. The awards are surprises sponsored by various local businesses. The jury will be composed by John Rison, Tim Longpré, Agustín Rocha, Mach Garcia and Tom Hicks.

The Vallarta Pride Organizing Committee invites both locals and visitors to celebrate the diversity of our city and to show the world that we are more united than ever.

For more information, please visit VallartaPride.com or the event's official Facebook page.