Disturbing footage of a gay couple being arrested by municipal police in Tulum, Mexico for kissing on the beach is circulating on social media.
Maritza Escalante first posted about the incident on TikTok. She and her friends were hanging out at the beach when the scene erupted.
“The officers approached a group of young foreigners,” she recounted in her video. “After about 20 minutes passed, a patrol car arrived and proceeded to arrest them with handcuffs.”
When Escalante went over to find out why the men, who have not been identified, were being handcuffed, she was shocked to learn it was “because they were gay and they kissed.”
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@maaaritza LA POLICÍA EN QUINTANA ROO ES HOMOFÓBICA #xyzbca #fyp #lgbt???? #???? #quintanaroo
Video of the arrest shows other beachgoers gathering around the couple as they’re being arrested and shouting, “They aren’t committing any crimes!” and accusing officers of being homophobic.
Eventually, officers gave into the pressure from the crowd and released the couple.
#CirculaEnRedes | ?? Detienen a pareja homosexual solo porque se estaban besando en playa pública de #Tulum https://t.co/c1Bhl9bJlb pic.twitter.com/R1NvGNbGHA
— MegaNews (@MegaNews_MX) February 23, 2021
According to Out Right International:
Mexico has made progress on LGBTIQ issues; however, there are still barriers to full LGBTIQ equality. In 2010, same-sex marriage was legalized in all states but one (which recognizes same-sex marriage established in the rest of the country), and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was banned. Further protections for LGBTIQ people vary depending on the state. Several states have adopted laws permitting same-sex couple adoption and the right to legal gender recognition.
The social conditions of LGBTIQ people are also variable across the country. In large cities and states with progressive government officials, LGBTIQ people’s human rights are protected and there are legal ramifications for acts of anti-LGBTIQ violence. However, in states with conservative government officials, anti-LGBTIQ hate crimes occur with impunity.
The Catholic Church significantly impacts social and cultural norms around gender and sexuality, and several anti-LGBTIQ Catholic groups oppose legislation striving for full equality for LGBTIQ people. Despite these challenges, LGBTIQ Mexicans are experiencing greater and growing acceptance and visibility, particularly in urban centers and among younger generations.
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
wikidBSTN
Good for the crowd of people who stood up and stood in to help!
Doodler72
They are started saying they were GAY too ! Very Cool !
Openminded
Yes, Kudo’s to the bystanders. Maybe Mexico needs to be reminded how many LGBTQ dollars come from tourism.
Chrisk
Ha. Is there even such a thing as a non corrupt cop in Mexico anyways? I remember one time traveling down there and the cops shook us down for $. They planted beer bottles in our car and threatened us with jail if we didn’t give them everything we had.
I only travel to places like Cancun now. They’ll leave you alone since tourists are such an important part of their economy.
ShiningSex
Resort places in MX are not safe either. Remember when tourists from Cancun were kidnapped. Cartel doesn’t care if you’re a tourist or not, they are the biggest problem there.
Calin
US is not any safer!!
ShiningSex
Been there many times and have stopped! Mexico is not gay friendly no matter what some white gay idiots say. Be careful where you vacation. Mexico has beautiful places but it is not worth it.
djguapo
In Tulum out of all places. That’s like Mayan Puerto Vallarta.
mikeTigg
That’s why I don’t go to third world countries. Nice crowd though! Reminds me of I’m Spartacus…no I’m Spartacus…I’m Spartacus…etc.
SFMike
Sadly now we live in a country turning into a third world banana republic.
James
STUPID POLICE MORONS. THE COUPLE SHOULD SUE.
Doodler72
SFMike is right. It is just as bad here too.
masterwill7
If I see and read these things, I’m sooo soooo happy to be born in The Netherlands every time!!! That will never EVER happen here, ever… They still have a looooooong way to go in Mexico I see, here goes my next holiday destination.. 🙁
Catholicslutbox
Corruption is real. They’ll let you go if you pay them….
but there are far worse places out there, Central America, and parts of South America, but none of them compare to most of African, and every Arabic/muslim nations. Gays should really stop going to those muslim nations.
PeetPeet
…. would never happen in the Netherlands coz it’s too effing cold to go on the beach, lol! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist).
BoomerMyles
You read about this happening in UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi) too.
Those cities are supposed to be “cosmopolitan”.
Blkhillsguy
Maybe they were just “fake” arresting them, but in reality were going to make one of those incredibly hot and sketchy Mexican porns with some dominance and a little abuse for these bottoms. GRRRR. Now i need to bust.
hotdogla
In Tulum? its $o gay there.
djguapo
Right??!!! That’s what I thought, too.
Blackceo
This is pretty surprising. I was just in Playa del Carmen in January and I didn’t see a lot of PDA between gays, but there were some comfortable holding hands. However, even that was in the very touristy areas. I am surprised this happened in Tulum. A good reminder about the dangers that still exist for us even in a country that has some LGBTQ+ protections. Be safe y’all.
LilMesican
I was raised in Texas but went to school in Mexico until the late 80s and homosexuality was not welcomed but wasn’t targeted either.
That said, for those that are generalizing Mexico, check a map. It is just as varied as The States.
Each region with cultural and religious differences all within one nation.
To say that it would never happen in your country, discrimination happens everywhere. It’s not isolated.
I will hold my thoughts on this particular piece until more facts are revealed.
scotty
cops just wanted blowjobs is all. ask nicely instead next time.
Leash
My faith in humanity hangs on a very thin string. So I will just focus on the positive here (the crowd sticking up for them) and nothing else.