'A painful loss for our community': Mexico's queer population demands answers in magistrate death

Source: The Guardian

‘A painful loss for our community’: Mexico’s queer population demands answers in magistrate death

Queer activists protest after first non-binary magistrate in nation Jesús Ociel Baena and partner found dead in home

James Fredrick in Mexico City
Tue 14 Nov 2023 20.39 GMT
Last modified on Tue 14 Nov 2023 22.21 GMT

Against the bland, beige backdrop of Mexico’s electoral courtrooms, Jesús Ociel Baena was radiant. The non-binary magistrate paired a shirt and tie with colorful skirts, high heels and bright red lipstick. In the heat of Aguascalientes state, Baena, who used they/their pronouns, would theatrically brandish a rainbow fan to cool down.

Proudly out in the courtroom, the classroom and on social media, Baena was a beacon for Mexico’s queer population, and their death this week has sent shock waves through an embattled community.

“I’m a trans man and Ociel meant visibility and strength for me,” said Karim García. “Ociel gave me the courage to show the world who I am.”

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In protests across the country on Monday night, LGBTQ+ Mexicans rejected the government’s initial claims that Baena died over a “personal matter” and suggested that their death was fueled by the hate, discrimination and violence the community routinely faces.

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Read more: https://archive.li/uHxUG

Original Guardian link (registration required): https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/mexico-lgtbq-jesus-ociel-baena-non-binary-magistrate