Gay Guide to Medellín
Colombia decriminalised homosexuality in 1981, and in April 2016 its Constitutional Court opened marriage to same-sex couples, putting the country among the first in Latin America with marriage equality.
Most of Medellín's gay nightlife is in El Poblado, the leafy district southeast of the centre, around Parque Lleras. Bar Chiquita, with flamingo statues out front and a big terrace, is where many nights start. Donde Aquellos, which began as a liquor store in 2000, is a relaxed bar with retro decor, and Purple Club, once known as Zero, plays reggaeton and electropop right by the park.
Later on, Club Oráculo on Carrera 36 has several rooms and drag shows every half hour after 1am. Downtown, Sauna Club 55 is the central men's sauna, with a wet area, video room and cabins.
Medellín Vive Diversa, the city's festival of diversity, builds to the Pride march at the end of June. The march gathers in Barbacoas, a downtown street that is one of the reference points for the city's LGBTIQ+ community, then runs along Avenida Oriental to Parque de las Luces, with well over 100,000 people taking part.