UCLA

Safe spaces for queer communities provide refuge for enjoying important cultural and social spaces. Traveling to these safe spaces often presents many safety-related obstacles for queer-identifying people. In this research, I examine the travel experience of LGBTQ+ transit riders in Mexico City. I inquire about the types of safety concerns queer communities encounter in transportation spaces and the actions they take to address these concerns. I use a qualitative research approach by conducting interviews with 20 queer transit riders. I find that perceptions and experiences of safety impact how queer transit riders use public spaces. Participants adapt to safety concerns by altering when, where, and how they travel, as well as employing strategies of resistance like activism, mutual aid, and community care. They also share recommendations for improving safety through infrastructure, policy, and education. This research contributes to the literature on public safety in transportation for underrepresented urban populations.