Thousands of people in Mexico City marched to demand justice for Jesús Ociel Baena, a prominent LGBTQ+ figure who was found dead at home after receiving death threats. Baena was the first openly nonbinary person to hold a judicial post in Mexico and faced violence due to their visibility on social media. LGBTQ+ groups are calling for a thorough investigation into the deaths. CBSNews reported
Thousands of people took to the streets of Mexico City on Monday night to demand justice for Jesús Ociel Baena, an influential 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 post in Mexico as a magistrate in the Aguascalientes state electoral court, had broken through barriers in a country where LGBTQ+ individuals are frequently targeted with violence.
The state prosecutor’s office confirmed that Baena was found dead on Monday morning alongside another individual, identified as Baena’s partner, Dorian Herrera, by local media and LGBTQ+ rights groups. State prosecutor Jesús Figueroa Ortega revealed that both individuals had injuries consistent with being caused by a knife or another sharp object. Figueroa Ortega stated that there was no evidence suggesting the presence of a third person at the crime scene.
The suggestion that the deaths could be a case of suicide sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ groups, who viewed it as another attempt by authorities to dismiss violence against their communities. People who knew Baena said that the magistrate had been happy and optimistic about the future in recent weeks.
Federal Security Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez stated that authorities were investigating the deaths and it was still unclear whether it was a homicide or an accident. LGBTQ+ rights advocate Alejandro Brito, director of Letra S, emphasized that Baena’s visibility on social media had made them a target and urged authorities to consider this in their investigation. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Mexico City, holding candles and demanding justice for Baena and other victims of anti-LGBTQ+ violence.
Among the protesters was Nish López, who came out as nonbinary in March and was inspired by Baena. López praised Baena for challenging societal norms and proving that change can be achieved regardless of gender identity.
Baena had made history in October 2022 by becoming the first nonbinary person in Latin America to hold a judicial position. In May, Baena had also been among the first individuals in Mexico to receive a passport reflecting their nonbinary identity. Baena had a strong presence on social media, where they advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and gained a significant following.
While Mexico has made progress in reducing anti-LGBTQ+ violence, Letra S documented at least 117 cases of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, including brutal killings. The National Observatory of Hate Crimes Against LGBTI+ Persons in Mexico recorded 305 hate crimes against sexual minorities between 2019 and 2022. Brito expressed concern that Baena’s death could lead to further violence against the LGBTQ+ community, as these crimes are often intended to intimidate and send a message to others.
Despite the potential risks, López and many others in the crowd were determined to carry on Baena’s legacy and make themselves visible. They emphasized their anger and determination to fight for justice and equality..