Discover gay life in the 1800s & 1900s around Main street at historic buildings like La Esmeralda, Iturbide Palace, Casa Borda, House of Tiles, Café de Tacuba, Ópera Bar, El Rule & convents of San Francisco & Bethlehemites.​

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• Discover the rich LGBTQ+ history embedded in Madero Street, one of Mexico City’s most iconic thoroughfares.

• This tour takes you through the heart of the city, highlighting its beautiful gay legacy and uncovering hidden secrets associated with the LGBTQ+ community.

• From the first porn cinema to museums and exhibits celebrating LGBTQ+ history, explore the vibrant and enduring heritage of this historic area.

• This tour offers a comprehensive exploration of LGBTQ+ heritage along Madero Street, combining historical insights, cultural landmarks, and hidden secrets to provide a deep understanding of the area's significance in the LGBTQ+ community.

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WHAT YOU WILL DO

In this part of Gay Side of History along the main and old cruising street, full of tales and details, you will learn about the gay community's activities like "the cruising lizards" during the 19th & 20th centuries in the Historic Center. At the former Military Academy, now a museum, you will learn of the first trans man, unsuspectedly recognized as a Colonel by the Army. The Palace of the Countship, a jewel itself, still hosts the cruisiest restrooms in town made popular all over the country by a store chain. You will see the main office of censorship against "immoral" editions, part reason of the existence of this experience, before coming across the backstage door site of the Old National Theatre where gay men hooked up in a bar which led to the biggest LGBTQ+ community present for the country. We will see replicas of high heel shoes worn at the famous cross-dressing ball of "Those 41" in 1901 & stroll past the place of the first porn cinema, the first bath house & Dr. Fagg's office. Past one of the last-standing gay cinemas we will enter (through a bakery) inside a former convent where "the favorite seminarist" of the Inquisidor-In-Chief lived. We will guide you to more forgotten secrets along the Main or High street of the times like the Bath Houses and Pools' Circuit Trolley stop & will tell you about why and where the community moved to in the 1950s, Zona Rosa.

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WHERE YOU WILL BE

Within two blocks and along the most important street within the 16th century city limits, we will discover the LGBT+ side of history by walking on the scene, visiting hidden corners & sharing stories seldom told. We will see historical sites, learn about the interpretation of monuments & sites by gay men at the turn of the 20th century and more.

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WHAT IS INCLUDED

• The experience's specialized host and expert.

• Small group access.

• Introductory chat with coffee service.

• Multiple stops. 

• Entrance to open, private, or public, locations whose internal visit is mentioned and that might or not require reservations or tickets.

• You will be provided with a digital LGBTQ-focused map of the Historic Center so that you may continue exploring on your own and a collection of videos, sources and resources that you can enjoy after the experience.

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THE EXPERIENCE

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On this experience you will discover 700 years of Mexican history and its gay/LGBTQ+ side and the most important street in the Historic Center. All of this will be seen through the LGBTQ+ traditions and practices of the Spanish Colonial Period, 1519, the Mexican Independent Period, 1810 and the Modern Period, 1910. 

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STARTING POINT, ENDING POINT, FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION

The experience begins at the corner of Tacuba and Allende streets, by the former Convent of the Bethlehemites. Visits do not return to the starting point. This experience ends at Museo del Estanquillo, close to Metrobus station Isabel la Católica on Line 4S. Zocalo metro station is four blocks away. Uber or other cars can pick you up at the museum. Your host will always remain with you until he makes sure everyone has the right directions and/or help for their next destination.

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