Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - Friday is the official launch of Puerto Vallarta's first LGBT 'Vallarta Pride' weekend. It is an event created to celebrate the LGBT's community's contribution to the city, but also a time to celebrate the ease with which both communities have learned to live together as one.

Coalescing the rich traditions of the Mexican culture with the varied ideas that have been introduced by its large expatriate community from all corners of the world, Puerto Vallarta goes beyond gay friendly, as evidenced by the integration of LGBTs into every aspect of the community - from social to political.

This is the first Pride event to be promoted by Puerto Vallarta's Tourism Department on a global level, an important stepping stone for both our communities and for the tourism this event will create in years to come. Vallarta Pride 2013 is a truly collaborative effort. The newly-formed LGBT Association of Commerce and Tourism and the hundreds of volunteers who have made this event possible invite everyone to celebrate with pride!

Vallarta Pride 2013 Schedule of Events

VALLARTA PRIDE OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTY
A welcome cocktail party at Taste Restaurant in the swish, gay and straight-friendly, Casa Cupula Hotel on Friday, May 24th at 9 pm will officially launches the 3 day festival. This event is free and open to the public.

PUBLIC COMMITMENT CEREMONY
A mass same sex commitment ceremony will be held at the Lido Beach Club on Saturday 25 May at 11:00 am. This free event is open to all those interested in participating in a symbolic ceremony, not for the commitment-phobic! After the ceremony, the newlyweds will enjoy complimentary champagne and 2 drawings for fabulous prizes.

VALLARTA PRIDE FASHION SHOW
On Saturday at 2 pm, local designers BuenFlex Clothing, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Alphonse Swimwear and Art Gallery Millan will put a Puerto Vallarta twist on "Urban Tribal" fashion at Blue Chairs Beach Club. This event is free and open to the public.

HEAT TEA DANCE(S) ON THE BEACH
Saturday afternoon, Blue Chairs and Lido Beach Clubs will offer 2 dance events simultaneously. DJs will be getting the crowds jumping from 4-8 pm. This event is free and open to the public.

CLAUDIA BREMER ART EXHIBITION
During the Vallarta Pride 2013 festivities on Saturday, El Dorado Restaurant and Beach Club will host a public cocktail reception featuring award-winning artist Claudia Bremer at 6 pm. This event is free and open to the public.

FRIDA MOVIE SCREENING
At 8 pm on Saturday, El Dorado Restaurant and Beach Club will present a free beach screening of the celebrated bio-pic Frida. Vallarta Pride organizers selected this film to celebrate the life, work and politics of the painter who refused to conform to stereotypes and gender roles.

VALLARTA PRIDE NIGHT PARTY
After the movie, take a stroll along Olas Altas, where many area bars and nightclubs will be celebrating with "Vallarta Pride." There are simply too many events to list, so the best way to enjoy the night is to start bar hopping from as early as 8:00 pm. Check individual bars/clubs for details.

FRIDA LOOK-ALIKE CONTEST
Scheduled to take place on the corner of Venustiano Carranza and Insurgentes at 8 pm on Saturday, this contest promises laughs and good times as locals and visitors compete to be crowned in "Frida glory." Expect to see plenty of monobrows at this free Pride event.

ART WALK TO BENEFIT AIDS CHARITIES
Lazaro Cardenas Park is the place to be on Sunday, May 26th at 10 am, as the Puerto Vallarta Department of Tourism will offer a Malecón Sculpture Walking Tour to benefit AIDS charities. Take in Vallarta's world famous art sculptures that line the beachfront boardwalk, while supporting AIDS prevention and treatment. $20 peso donation is requested.

VALLARTA PRIDE PARADE
Be part of history in the making as locals and visitors come together to celebrate the vibrancy of Vallarta's LGBT community during Puerto Vallarta's 1st Official LGBT Pride Parade. The parade will start at the corner of Aquiles Serdan and Ignacio L. Vallarta at 4 pm, and wind its way through the Zona Romantica. This free event is open to the public. Click HERE to download the Parade Route Map in PDF format.

VALLARTA PRIDE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sunday afternoon, the Vallarta Pride Parade culminates at Lazaro Cardenas Park with a free 4-hour music and dance extravaganza that starts at 5 pm. The festival, hosted by entertainment company ACT II, brings together some of Vallarta's very best musical talent.

Gay-friendly cities are rare. While most major centers across the world have some sort of LGBT community, some of them clandestine, Puerto Vallarta has been home to thousands of gays and lesbians, and a vacation destination for LGBT visitors, for years. Join us in celebrating the unique and all-inclusive culture that has flourished in Vallarta for decades.