Sexual diversity has always been a topic of debate, especially in a country that still maintains a mainly conservative and macho ideology such as Mexico.
Fortunately, throughout recent history, Mexican society has changed its laws to grant rights to people who belong to the LGBTQ + community. Although these rights vary within each state, it is a giant step in favor of the fight for non-discrimination and equal treatment for all citizens, being the large cities of the republic, such as Mexico City, the main precursors of this change.
The Law of Non-Discrimination.
On April 29, 2003, the Federal Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination was approved, which although it is currently a law that is considered inefficient in its operation, led to the creation of the National Council to Prevent Discrimination (CONAPRED), providing for first time resources to the LGBTQ + community to report cases of discrimination based on their sexual orientation.
Since the creation of this law, 16 states of the country have issued state laws on discrimination and 13 have classified discrimination as a criminal offense.
Equal marriage.
Undoubtedly one of the most notorious and controversial victories that the LGBTQ + community has had has been the approval of the Law of Coexistence Societies in 2006, a bill that provided certain rights similar to marriage for unions between people of the same sex, but it still did not allow adoption.
It was not until 2010 that homosexual marriage was legalized, with Mexico City being the first city in Latin America to grant this right to its inhabitants through non-judicial means, including the right to adopt under the same criteria and requirements as heterosexual couples. .
The Trans community in Mexico.
Although there have been many advances in terms of visibility and rights for homosexual people in our country, the trans community continues to be the target of constant attacks and discrimination.
There have been advances, of course, such as the approval in Mexico City and 14 other States, of the legal change of name and gender in official documents according to the identity of each person, and the fact that Jalisco is the only entity in the republic that recognizes transgender people under 18 years of age. However, the numbers continue to show us that there is still a very long way to go, and that despite these advances, the trans community continues to be a very vulnerable and ignored group.
Mexico ranks second worldwide in transfemicides, only after Brazil. The unemployment rate in the trans community is 90%, leading this group to work under circumstances that put their physical and emotional integrity at risk, such as sex work. Another alarming fact is that the average life expectancy of trans people does not exceed 35 years.
LGBTQ + rights in Latin America.
While throughout Latin America homosexuality is decriminalized, in several Caribbean states it is still considered illegal and carries with it varying penalties.
Countries such as Argentina, Chile and Uruguay top the lists of the most progressive countries with an attitude of acceptance and zero tolerance towards discrimination, proposing laws that ensure equality and quality of life for their LGBTQ + population.
On the other hand, countries like Bolivia and Paraguay disapprove of same-sex marriage. As for the trans community, the vast majority of countries have facilitated the change of name and gender, being once again Argentina, Chile and Uruguay the pioneers in recognizing and making trans childhood visible by allowing the change of sex for minors. Despite this, 78% of transgender killings happen in Latin America.
There is no doubt that there have been advances, but that is precisely why the fight for equality for all must not stop. Only then, one day, loving who you want to love and being who you really are will be a right you are born with, not a right you have to fight for.
Source: persus.com/es
