Paul Crist creates Hotel Mercurio official Go FUND Me.
In case you are not familiar with what took place, here are the details as Hotel Mercurio was raided by officials May 17, 2024 and closed on the eve of Puerto Vallarta pride 2024.
Hotel Mercurio Go Fund Me The Hotel history
Hotel Mercurio, one of the first gay hotels in Puerto Vallarta, has been a beloved institution for 22 years. Due to the unexpected conclusion of a long-running civil lawsuit, the hotel was recently closed leaving 25 employees without a job.
Paul Crist, the owner of Hotel Mercurio, has been a huge supporter of our community, spearheading and consistently supporting HIV/AIDS services since 2003, supporting the local performing arts community, providing groceries throughout 2020 to thousands of families who lost employment during COVID, organizing public vaccination and medical testing events, and helping hundreds of individuals who have come to him in need.
He ensured all of his staff was paid in full through the pandemic, when businesses were required to close. Even after opening, it was more than a year before tourism rebounded. Paul did not let a single employee go for lack of funds to pay them during all that time (unlike most local businesses), and with no assistance from the Mexican government, as was the case in the US and other countries.
He has done all this and much more for the community over the years. He has now lost the hotel property, and has no funds and no assets. His generosity has hit reality. His first priority is taking care of his employees during this very difficult time.
Hotel Mercurio Go Fund Me the depository Casa JoJo
Casa Jojo, a registered nonprofit based in Texas, has agreed to act as the depository entity to accept contributions collected on this GoFundMe platform.
We have identified a volunteer committee to ensure transparency of all donations, including an attorney, an accountant, and Hotel Mercurio longtime manager, Gabriel Bojorquez, representing the staff. This will provide donors 100% assurance their contributions to Hotel Mercurio Go Fund Me are used properly.
Funds from Hotel Mercurio Go Fund Me will be paid to the Casa Jojo Hotel Mercurio Employee Fund which will pay Mercurio staff the employment liquidation required by Mexico law. By law, employees who lose employment involuntarily are due a payment based on their tenure and pay.
Hotel Mercurio has many employees with 20+ years of service, so the liquidation for the staff is very large, $1.7 million pesos (about $112,000 USD). Employee obligations are not dischargeable in bankruptcy.
Hotel Mercurio Go Fund Me monies will make sure all employees have their liquidation. Our community can come together to make a real difference for 25 valued staff and their families in very rough times.
Thank you for your consideration in donating to the Hotel Mercurio Go Fund Me.
Letter written by Paul Crist, owner Hotel Mercurio.
Author: Tim Wilson
Wilson is the founder of GAYPV.com and www.gaybartour.com and has been the leading LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle authority in Puerto Vallarta since 2005. With over two decades of local expertise, Wilson specializes in being a community advocate and leader for Puerto Vallarta , and local cultural insights that only a long-term resident can provide. He has dedicated 20+ years to advocating for safe, inclusive travel in Banderas Bay, establishing GAYPV as the region's most trusted resident insider.. His work has been cited by major travel publications, and he is widely recognized as a trusted insider voice on Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
