Members of the LGBTQ community rallied to assist the town after Hurricane Agatha devastated a Mexican beach hamlet that was popular with LGBTQ visitors and residents earlier this week.
Zipolite, a small town on Oaxaca’s beautiful southern Pacific coast, was directly in the path the storm. The Category 2 hurricane that struck the area just six miles west of Zipolite left damage to buildings and filled the beach with debris.
A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $21,000 by Thursday afternoon to “rebuild this paradise,” according to the GoFundMe page.
Zipolite Diverso is a group that includes over 30 LGBTQ-owned small businesses. The fundraiser was organized to meet immediate needs such as water and food, and help the community rebuild.
Ricky Castellanos (one of the organizers of the fundraiser and owner of a bed and breakfast that was damaged by the storm) said, “None of our expectations were so high.”
Castellanos stated that the donations could be used to “provide sustainable services for people who won’t be able get back on their feet immediately.”
The group increased its fundraising goal from $10,000 to $50,000, claiming that the damage had been severe.
It added, “Thanks to you all, Zipolite is coming back, stronger.”
Zipolite is a famous Mexican nude beach and has been growing in popularity with LGBTQ tourists who are attracted to its laid-back atmosphere.
Popularity has led to a strain on water supplies and caused tension between locals and tourists.
Thomas Flechel, an artist and business owner, said that while we are organizing the event as LGBTQ members, the aid will go to the people who most need it.
The fundraiser was shared on social media far beyond Mexico’s borders.
Tristan McAllister is a brand strategist in New York and a podcast host. He has been visiting Zipolite ever since he was a kid.
“This is the place queer Mexicans and young people need. McAllister stated that it is a unique place for Mexico as well as the entire world.
