Thousands gather in Mexico City to demand justice and honor an influential magistrate and LGBTQ rights campaigner who was found dead. The death of Jesus Ociel Baena, Mexico’s first openly nonbinary judge, has sparked protests and calls for a thorough investigation into their mysterious demise. Al Jazeera reported
Thousands gather in Mexico City to demand justice and honor influential magistrate and rights campaigner.
Protests Erupt in Mexico City After Death of Leading LGBTQ Rights Campaigner
Jesus Ociel Baena, Mexico’s first openly nonbinary judge and a prominent advocate for LGBTQ rights, was found dead in their home, leading to widespread calls for a thorough investigation and sparking protests in Mexico City. Baena, who preferred they/them pronouns, played a pivotal role in advancing LGBTQ rights in Mexico and Latin America. Their appointment as a magistrate last year was seen as a significant breakthrough for LGBTQ individuals in Mexico, who face high levels of discrimination and violence.
The discovery of Baena’s body, alongside another individual identified as their partner, in their home in Aguascalientes has raised concerns about a potential homicide. Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez stated that the cause of death has not yet been determined, whether it was a homicide or an accident.
State prosecutor Jesus Figueroa Ortega noted that both individuals appeared to have sustained injuries from a sharp object, and there were no signs of forced entry. LGBTQ rights advocates pointed out that Baena had received threats and hate messages due to their activism, emphasizing the need for an impartial investigation.
Alejandro Brito, director of the LGBTQ rights group Letra S, highlighted the significance of considering the threats Baena faced in the investigation. He stated, “They were a person who received many hate messages, and even threats of violence and death, and you can’t ignore that in these investigations.”
Demand for Justice at Vigil in Mexico City
A vigil held in Mexico City on Monday evening saw thousands of people demanding justice for Baena’s death. The attendees lit candles and chanted “We won’t stay silent” to honor Baena’s memory. Alejandro Brito expressed concerns that Baena’s death may instill fear and incite violence against the LGBTQ community. He said, “If this was a crime motivated by prejudice, these kinds of crimes always have the intention of sending a message. The message is an intimidation, it’s to say: ‘This is what could happen to you if you make your identities public.'”
The National Observatory of Hate Crimes Against LGBTI+ Persons in Mexico recorded 305 cases of violent hate crimes against sexual minorities between 2019 and 2022, including murders and disappearances. Baena, known for their outspokenness about their gender identity, successfully advocated for the recognition of the gender-neutral noun “maestre” for magistrates.
In June, Baena wrote, “I am a nonbinary person. I am not interested in being seen as either a woman or a man. This is an identity. It is mine, for me, and nobody else. Accept it.”
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