While the numbers vary from semester to semester, often 25-30% of the students identify as LGBTQ.

Several members of our faculty and staff identify as LGBTQ,
and the rest are LGBTQ-friendly.

Although the academic backgrounds of our faculty and staff vary, most try to incorporate queer theory into courses. Antonio Ortega, Program Coordinator and Adjunct Professor in History and Women’s Studies, wrote his Masters thesis in History on gay history in Mexico, entitled “First Visibilities of Homosexuality in Mexico.” 

“The staff was very queer-friendly. When I chose to do an independent study on lesbians and invisibility in Cuernavaca, the staff was very helpful and supportive of my project, and put me in contact with different prominent queer members of the community to interview. The library at CEMAL also had extensive resources on queer issues in an international context.”

 –Student, Wesleyan University

 “I felt that openly queer staff and the relationship students have with the staff creates an environment where I feel accepted after coming from a very conservative community and having to struggle and feel defensive a lot.  That has changed at my university in the States, but still I think that I have a feel for spaces that are accepting -- and I felt more at ease with my sexuality and with students who don't identify as queer.”

–Student, University of Nebraska

“As we study Mexican history, I try to help students uncover the voices that have often been excluded from the official history but have existed from pre-Columbian times through the Conquest and Inquisition, the Colonial period, Porfiriato, Mexican Revolution, and contemporary history, in which exciting things are happening.” 

--Antonio Ortega, Program Coordinator and Adjunct Professor of History and Women’s Studies

“Yes. One aspect of our pedagogy is looking at all issues from multiple lenses, and one important lens is the lens of sexuality.”

-- Hillary Mealman, Winona Sate University

"I became more aware of the complexities of the interweavings of class, race, gender, sexuality, and language group, and of my need to be sensitive to as much of that as I can."            

–Student, University of Redlands

– Lisanne Morgan, Homestay and Program Coordinator

“We had classes in history and environmental issues and religion that incorporated gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered speakers…  CGE Mexico fosters an environment where sexuality is taken out of the background and brought into the foreground. Sexual diversity is recognized as an issue here.  It's taken into account and incorporated into everything. LGBT perspectives are included in the classes in many ways.  I love the fact that the program recognizes that LGBT issues are related to all aspects of life and not segregated or just relegated to personal life.”

--Student, University of North Carolina

“I was afraid that I might be the only queer student, but I was happy to find out that there were several others in the program. Because of the progressive nature of the program, I think it also attracts very progressive people, regardless of their LGBTQ status. So even people who did not identify as "queer" sexually or in terms of gender were all very supportive and were great allies.” 

--Student, Wesleyan University

“In a new group, it takes some students time to identify as LGBTQ. However, staff & students work hard to help develop safe space and build community. As a result, over the course of the semester the number of students who identify as LGBTQ increases.”

 -- Student, Winona Sate University

“No, and actually one of my roommates was also queer.  I was happy and surprised to engage with other students who were questioning and figuring stuff out for themselves, so I feel very fortunate this semester to have made great friends who identify as queer and others who are exploring their sexuality and excited to share that, and so we come together from different places, and I haven't had any problems with other students nor staff feeling repressed - and I say that because growing up I didn't have those friendships and felt silenced and guilty and ashamed of what I was feeling.. I feel that because the program is open and accepting and creates safe spaces, that helps students who maybe haven't been able to be open or question begin to do that here. Yeah, it's been a great semester.” 

–Student, University of Nebraska

“Yes. All students are asked to complete a homestay preference form to help us best find safe space for them. One of the many questions is whether or not students want to prioritize a “gay or lesbian-friendly homestay.” The reason I use the phrase “gay or lesbian-friendly” rather than LGBTQ is that few Mexicans in the Cuernavaca area use or relate to the term “queer” as it is often defined in the United States. I also omit the “B” and the “T” because there is not yet a wide acceptance of bisexual or transgendered identities, although that is changing. Some of the host families are gay or lesbian, while others are supportive of gay and lesbian rights.  We periodically offer diversity workshops and are diligent in bringing up issues of taboo subjects with regard to gender, sexuality, religion, and race and ethnicity with all of our host families.”

-- Lisanne Morgan, Homestay & Program Coordinator

“I requested a homestay with a queer family.  Not only was I granted my request; my host mothers' home was a hub of lesbian life in Cuernavaca.  On a daily basis, lesbians came in and out of the home for visits, meals, and dancing, and I was always included in the action and invited to bring my friends.”

--Student, Connecticut College

 “The homestay coordinator is queer-friendly and I feel like there are all kinds of ways in which the program works with families to make students feel safe and comfortable.”          

–Student, University of Nebraska

“Some people are accepting, and some people are less so. In general though, through help and support from CGE, I found ways to make LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly friends so that I could always surround myself with caring, supportive, open-minded people. Being ‘out’ was never a big issue for me.”

–Student, Wesleyan University

“First and foremost, you’re typically seen as a foreigner here – whether or not you’re holding hands with a girl or a boy, you’re first seen as an outsider.  People generally think we talk weird, eat weird, and have strange sexual habits anyway.  So being openly queer isn´t as prominent as being an outsider.”

–Student, Winona Sate University

“Lots of Mexicans are drawn to Cuernavaca because it is a progressive city. I have always felt comfortable as an openly gay man here.” 

--Antonio Ortega, Program Coordinator and Adjunct Professor of History and Women’s Studies

“Fantastic. The LGBTQ clubs in Cuernavaca are the most inclusive in terms of race, class, gender, & sexuality. The Casa del Dictador on Friday nights is a must for anyone queer in Cuernavaca!”

-- Student, Winona Sate University

“There is myriad of of gay and straight bars and clubs in Cuernavaca. Some girl clubs include: Casa del Dictador and Club Ra. There are also several ‘neutral’ places, like La Plazuela.”

–Student, Wesleyan University

"I feel like Cuernavaca has a really good network of LGBT-friendly places. On the nightlife side of things, it’s very welcoming. It’s not hidden and it’s not exclusive."

--Student, University of North Carolina

“Studying abroad with CGE was hands-down, the best experience of my life. My decision to go abroad to Mexico with CGE was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I grew a whole lot academically and emotionally during my experience, and while it was also quite challenging, through this challenge, I learned that I could depend on myself more than I ever thought I could.”

–Student, Wesleyan University

“The semester I spend with CGE in Mexico opened my eyes to the fact that coexistence, in a very deep sense, is not only a concept but a lived reality that we are empowered to create wherever we are.”  

--Student, Grinnell College

 “I was already fairly comfortable with a bisexual identity when I went to Mexico, but I was exposed to a lot more variety of sexual identities and philosophies around sexual identities on the program.”   

--Student, University of the Redlands

“One thing that I tell students at the beginning of every semester is that if you’re going to have a good semester, it’s going to be because YOU made it a good semester. Students are often surprised at how much they learn about their own culture. People come down expecting to learn about Mexico, and what they get is learning a lot about themselves.   Part of this is being honest with yourself about where you come from and who you are, including your sexuality.”

–Resident Assistant from 2005-2007

“We strive to make CGE Mexico an environment that is open, accepting, and safe for students, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds with regards to their sexuality, gender identities, racial, ethnic, socio-economic, religions, geographical, and national backgrounds, and ability, etc. While no program is perfect, our staff is very committed to creating an atmosphere that is consistent the goal of ‘creating a world in which many worlds fit.’”

–Ann Lutterman-Aguilar, Director 

“This program is unique because besides being a safe space, it provides insights about LGBT issues in Mexico that few other programs offer. LGBT issues are incorporated in a holistic fashion into classes, homestays, internships, and all other aspects of the program.¨”   

--Antonio Ortega, Program Coordinator and Adjunct Professor of History and Women’s Studies