Thousands of people marched in Mexico City to demand justice for Jesús Ociel Baena, an influential LGBTQ+ figure who was found dead at home in Aguascalientes after receiving death threats. Baena, the first openly nonbinary person in Mexico to hold a judicial post, was found dead alongside their partner. LGBTQ+ rights groups criticized authorities for suggesting suicide as a possibility, calling for a thorough investigation. Baena’s visibility on social media made them a target for hate messages and threats. The deaths have raised concerns about further violence against the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico. MEGAN JANETSKY Associated Press reported
Thousands of people marched in Mexico City on Monday night to demand justice for Jesús Ociel Baena, an influential LGBTQ+ figure who was found dead in his home after receiving death threats. Baena, who was the first openly nonbinary person to assume a judicial post in Mexico, was a magistrate in the Aguascalientes state electoral court. The state prosecutor’s office confirmed that Baena was found dead next to another person, believed to be his partner, with injuries caused by a sharp object. The suggestion that the deaths could be suicide sparked outrage, with LGBTQ+ groups calling for a thorough investigation into the violence against their communities. Baena’s visibility on social media made him a target, and LGBTQ+ rights groups have urged authorities to consider this in their investigation. The marchers in Mexico City lit candles and demanded justice for Baena and other victims of anti-LGBTQ+ violence..
Thousands of people took to the streets of Mexico City on Monday night to demand justice for Jesús Ociel Baena, a prominent LGBTQ+ figure who was found dead at home in Aguascalientes after receiving death threats. Baena, who was the first openly nonbinary person to hold a judicial position in Mexico, faced significant challenges in a country where violence against LGBTQ+ individuals is common. The state prosecutor’s office confirmed that Baena was found dead alongside their partner, Dorian Herrera, with both displaying injuries consistent with a knife attack. The suggestion that the deaths were a result of suicide angered LGBTQ+ groups, who viewed it as an attempt to dismiss violence against their community. Authorities are still investigating whether the deaths were a homicide or an accident, but Alejandro Brito, director of the LGBTQ+ rights group Letra S, emphasized the need to consider Baena’s visibility on social media as a potential motive for the crime. Thousands of people gathered in Mexico City to remember Baena and other victims of anti-LGBTQ+ violence, demanding a thorough investigation into the deaths. Nish López, who came out as nonbinary in response to Baena’s inspiration, expressed admiration for Baena’s ability to challenge societal norms and inspire change. Baena’s achievements included becoming a magistrate in October 2022 and being one of the first people in Mexico to receive a passport listing their gender as nonbinary. Despite progress in reducing anti-LGBTQ+ violence in Mexico, there have been numerous documented cases of violence and hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals. Brito expressed concern that Baena’s death could lead to further violence against the community, with the intention of sending a message of intimidation. However, for López and many others, the prevailing emotion was not fear but anger, as they vowed to continue Baena’s legacy and make themselves visible..