SEE AMAZON.COM DEALS FOR TODAY
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Mexico City (AP) — In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico, Jesús Ociel Baena, the first openly nonbinary person to assume a judicial position in the country, was found dead in their home in the central Mexican city of Aguascalientes on Monday. The authorities have confirmed that Baena was a victim of a violent attack, possibly involving a knife or another sharp object. Baena’s partner was also found deceased at the scene.
The Aguascalientes state prosecutor’s office stated that there were no signs of any third party involvement in the crime. However, Mexico’s Security Secretary, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and it is yet to be determined whether Baena’s death was a result of homicide or an accident. It is worth noting that some murder cases in Mexico, particularly those involving members of the LGBTQ+ community, have been historically downplayed by authorities as crimes of passion.
Baena’s visibility as an LGBTQ+ advocate on social media made them a target for hate messages and threats of violence and death. Alejandro Brito, director of the LGBTQ+ rights group Letra S, urged the authorities to consider this context during their investigation. Brito emphasized that Baena was breaking barriers for the nonbinary community and had already been receiving death threats.
Baena made history in October 2022 when they became the first openly nonbinary person to assume the role of magistrate for the Aguascalientes state electoral court, a significant achievement in Latin America. In June, Baena was also among the first individuals in Mexico to receive a nonbinary passport. With hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, Baena regularly shared photos and videos of themselves advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, challenging traditional gender norms, and promoting acceptance.
In one of their tweets, 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.” Just weeks before their untimely death, Baena was presented with a certificate by the electoral court, recognizing them with gender-neutral pronouns as a “maestre.” This recognition was a significant step forward in a language, Spanish, that historically distinguishes between male and female genders.
While Mexico has made progress in reducing anti-LGBTQ+ violence, there has been a concerning increase in such incidents in recent years. In 2019 alone, at least 117 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals were killed in the country, many of them victims of brutal and public attacks.
Brito expressed deep concern that Baena’s tragic death could lead to further acts of violence against queer communities. He emphasized that crimes motivated by prejudice aim to send a chilling message of intimidation, warning individuals against publicly expressing their identities.
The death of Jesús Ociel Baena has left the LGBTQ+ community in mourning and has highlighted the urgent need for greater protection and acceptance of queer individuals in Mexico. The investigation into Baena’s death is ongoing, and it is hoped that justice will be served, sending a clear message that violence and discrimination will not be tolerated.
____
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america..
A Teaspoon Before Bedtime Makes you Lose 32LBS in 2 Weeks.
Related Post : Remember Tiger Wood's Ex Wife, Elin Nordegren ? Take a Look at Her Now.
The Conjoined Twins Abby & Brittany Hensel are No Longer Together.
