If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if religion, revolution, and eroticism had a beautifully scandalous baby, look no further than the mind (and brush) of Fabián Cháirez. This Mexican artist is flipping the script on machismo and homophobia.
Who is Fabián Cháirez, Really?
Fabián Cháirez is a visual artist from Chiapas whose work unapologetically centers queer, racialized, and gender-nonconforming bodies, those too often erased or demonized in mainstream narratives. His paintings are more than just provocative; they’re political, celebratory, and deeply rooted in reclaiming Mexican identity beyond colonial, macho, and Catholic norms.
Over the years, he’s not only exhibited internationally but also left his mark on Mexico City’s nightlife and urban culture. Through creative direction and artistic interventions in recreational spaces and queer clubs, Cháirez has shaped how queer art is seen and celebrated in public spaces. This presence has helped cement his role as one of the most influential contemporary artists within Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community.
His background in design and nightlife bleeds into his visual language, creating bold and subversive pieces that challenge the gaze… and demand your attention.
Click Your Heels Against Misogyny
Let’s go back to 2014. Fabián Cháirez drops “La Revolución”: a nude, fabulously femme man riding a powerful white stallion, rocking a pink hat and pistol-shaped high heels. It’s giving revolution, it’s giving desire, it’s giving Emiliano Zapata… but queer!
However, Fabián never explicitly said it was Emiliano Zapata, but people ran with it, especially when the painting was exhibited in 2019 at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, one of Mexico City’s most important museums. Suddenly, everyone had an opinion. Some farmer groups and even Zapata’s descendants were furious, clutching their pearls over the level of disrespect. But Fabián never intended to mock a national hero, his work is about rethinking masculinity and smashing the age-old gender norms holding us back.
Café Pacifico’s signature dish, an array of mouthwatering chilaquiles, might leave you spoiled for choice. For those averse to spice, their diverse coffee selection paired with scrumptious pastries offers a delightful alternative. Don’t miss their divine banana cake if you find yourself craving a sweet treat.
The Lord’s Cummin’: Sacred, Erotic… and Too Much for Some?
Fast forward to 2025, and Cháirez is back with a new body of work. Created between 2018 and 2023, this series continues his signature style: Catholic iconography soaked in homoeroticism and symbolic rebellion. Expect abs, incense, and a whole lot of queer tension.
The first iteration of this collection, titled “La Venida del Señor” (The Lord’s Cummin’), debuted in February 2025 at the historic Antigua Academia de San Carlos (UNAM). But by March, the Christian Lawyers Association filed a legal complaint, arguing that the exhibit violated religious freedom. A judge initially ordered it shut down. Followed by outrage, protests, and a wave of public support. Eventually, a different judge overturned the decision, restoring the exhibit and striking a blow against censorship.
Now, the sequel: “La Segunda Venida del Señor” (The Second Cummin’ of The Lord), is being exhibited throughout April 2025 at the Museo de la Ciudad de México, who proudly stepped in to host the show after the intense legal battle. In an official statement, the museum said:
“The exhibition promotes freedom of expression and defends cultural rights, offering inclusive and transformative spaces for all.”
And that it does. From wax-dripping altars to lustful saints, every piece invites you to confront the sacred and the sexual in a space that dares to be both.
Where to See It (And Why You Should)
Now safely housed in the Museo de la Ciudad de México, in the heart of Mexico City, “La Segunda Venida del Señor” is definitely a must-see. Whether you’re an art nerd, a spiritual renegade, or just here for the hot priest fantasy (thank you Fleabag), this exhibition is a bold, beautiful reminder of how contemporary Mexican art is flipping the bird to tradition while worshipping queerness in all its glory.
Mexico City is our altar... come light a candle for queer history
If this is your kind of church, join us on our walking tour “MxCity for the Girls, Gays & They’s”! Where you’ll discover Mexico’s queer past, its revolutionary icons, juicy historical gossip, and art that’s too real for textbooks. It’s fun, it’s fabulous, and it’ll make you feel blessed and unbothered.
Book your spot, pack your beads, and prepare to sin educationally. Because darling… salvation is overrated, but queer resistance is divine!
Book here!