Lea DeLaria Grand Marshall of Puerta Vallarta Pride

From May 17-24, Puerto Vallarta's annual LGBT Pride event features "Orange Is the New Black" star Lea DeLaria as Grand Marshal. "Vallarta Pride" will have a number of new initiatives this year, including an Andre Christian fashion show and an International Film Festival Screening. Participants will also see returning favorites such as the Drag Derby, the Sunset Commitment Ceremony and the Vallarta Parade.

Puerto Vallarta is Mexico's most popular beach destination for the LGBT community and the only beach destination with a gayborhood in its Zona Romantica, home to many businesses that are LGBT-owned and/or target the consumer, including beaches, tours, activities and restaurants bars and clubs to choose from. LGBT travelers have the option of choosing from gay friendly resorts, hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts and guest houses.

The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board has partnered with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, as the organization's first national travel partner. During the partnership, Puerto Vallarta will promote its adventure, gastronomy, cultural, nightlife, romance and family offerings in HRC conferences, dinners and events in 20 cities, including San Francisco, Los Angles, Minneapolis, New York and Chicago.

Participants of the events will have a chance to win stays in Puerto Vallarta with hotel accommodations provided by Casa Cupula, Costa Sur Resort and Spa, Luna Liquida, Marriott CasaMagna and Villa Mercedes. Winners will also have the opportunity to have special dinners at Caf� des Artists or Sapphire Ocean Club and take Vallarta's Gay Bar Hopping Tour. Puerto Vallarta's Vallarta Adventures will provide access to its various activities, including the longest zipline in Mexico and the magical beach destinations of Vallarta's South.

Puerto Vallarta offers visitors a friendly and supportive environment and has been Mexico's leading destination for LGBT visitors for decades. Named Gaycities' 2014 Top Beach Destination, Puerto Vallarta boasts a gayborhood home to an array of gay bars and nightclubs, gay-owned restaurants, hotels, stores, services, and entertainment that put the destination in a league of its own.

Its Vallarta Pride is a 10-day celebration of LGBT culture that starts the international Pride season in May. This year, Lea DeLaria will be its Grand Marshall and appearances have also been confirmed by famed underwear designer by Andrew Christian and Spanish transgender pop-star, La Prohibida.

In recent years, the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, the entity responsible for promoting the destination in the US and Canada has partnered with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), GMHC and the International Gay Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) to promote the destination's diverse tourism offerings. In 2014, Puerto Vallarta became the first Mexican destination to participate in a World Pride with its Noche Alegre event during the World Pride celebrations in Toronto.

Many of #gayvallarta main attractions can be found in the Zona Romantica, a delightfully walkable and compact area where tourists of all stripes mix and mingle at the beach, in cafes, in restaurants and bars, as well as on the newly widened and covered sidewalks of the neighborhood. In the past decade, many LGBT ex-Patriots from North America have joined locals in opening businesses in the area to cater to gay tourism, creating a vibrant and exciting mix of unique and friendly businesses.

Gay-Friendly Hotel Accommodations

Puerto Vallarta is home to an array of gay lodging possibilities including TAG gay friendly resorts, hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, and guest houses, some are even gay-owned. The following are a list of some of the hotels proactively promoting the LGBT traveler.

CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa (Marina) is, this year the sponsor of the International LGBT Business Expo. Along the coastline, the luxury resort offers all the amenities for a perfect vacation: fitness center, Indoor and Outdoor pools, and the most spacious spa in Puerto Vallarta. Gay travelers can enjoy savory moments in one of the four world-class restaurants of the resort or can easily access to the golf courses. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pvrmx-casamagna-marriott-puerto-vallarta-resort-and-spa/

Casa Cupula Gay Hotel Boutique Guesthouse (Southside/Amapas) -- Branded as a luxury boutique hotel for gay men, lesbians and friends. This location combines the intimate service of a B & B, the fine d�cor of a boutique hotel and the comfortable ambience of a guesthouse. Amenities include gourmet food, cocktails, two pools, a gym and in-room massages. www.casacupula.com

Costa Sur (South) -- With more than 30 years in existence it was one of the first hotels built in the South Shore of Puerto Vallarta, overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches on the bay. The building has a very Mexican feel to it, with strong, thick walls and spacious bedrooms all of which have mesmerizing views of Banderas Bay. One of the most unique features in Costa Sur is our private beach which has become popular for gay weddings. www.costasurpuertovallarta.com

Villa Mercedes (Zona Romanctica) -- The property has a total of 16 lodging options ranging from studio rooms, Jr. suites, Master Suites, and penthouses. Art and Mexican crafts mixed with contemporary eclectic define most of the carefully decorated spaces with murals by artist Ana Rifa, Zapoteco textiles, vintage cement tile mosaics, and original historic architecture. www.hotelvillamercedes.com

Luna Liquida -- Art, music, fine cuisine, romance ... Luna L�quida features five villas in Puerto Vallarta, offering an atmosphere of comfort and inspiration framed by a collection of handmade motives carefully selected to give a unique concept "Inspiration & Leisure," Luna L�quida Boutique Hotel is located just a few steps from one of the best beaches in Mexico, the traditional Malecon (Boardwalk), the tourist area and other renowned attractions in Puerto Vallarta. www.lunaliquida.mx/en

Gay-Friendly Activities

Vallarta Adventure -- Vallarta Adventures is Puerto Vallarta's premier tour and activity operator. It offers a wide selection of adventure-based tours and excursions with things to do for people of all ages -- from ziplines to swimming with dolphins, whale watching to snorkeling, scuba diving to an award winning dinner show. www.vallarta-adventures.com/

Food Tours -- A three-hour food tasting and walking tour offers a local's view into Puerto Vallarta's culture through its delicious and intricate cuisine, rich history and stunning architecture. Suitable for all age groups and fitness levels, Vallarta Food Tours invites patrons to experience off-the-beaten path eateries and their colorful owners and staff, taco stands and regional delicacies. puertovallartafoodtours.com

Gay Bar-Hopping Tour -- For more than three years, this tour proposes to experiment a unique adventure. The friendly and professional gay staff organizes a guided immersion in gay Puerto Vallarta's nightclubs, a wonderful experience to meet people all over the world and to keep great memories of Mexican nightlife. www.gayvallartabarhopping.com

GO GAY! -- El Tuito Escape has a variety of activities dedicated to adrenalin junkies. Several tours are proposed to gays and their friends such as zipline in the jungle, horseback adventures, whale watching cruises, private sailboat charters, snorkeling among wild dolphins or in Marietas Islands and private escapes on luxury yacht charters.
www.gayguidevallarta.com/Daylife/listinfo_391.html

Diana's Tour -- Diana DeCoste is working successfully for 14 years in Puerto Vallarta with her famous gay and lesbian cruises. The tickets are sold rapidly, it's recommended to book it in advance. www.dianastours.com/