Justice Demanded for LGBTQ+ Figure Jesús Ociel Baena Found Dead in Mexico City

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Thousands Rally in Mexico City Demanding Justice for LGBTQ+ Figure Found Dead

Mexico City was filled with thousands of protesters on Monday night as they marched to demand justice for Jesús Ociel Baena, an influential LGBTQ+ figure who was tragically found dead at home in Aguascalientes. Baena, who was the first openly nonbinary person to assume a judicial post in Mexico, had been receiving death threats prior to their untimely death. The incident has once again highlighted the violence and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the country.

Baena had broken through numerous barriers in a country where LGBTQ+ people are often targeted with violence. As a magistrate in the Aguascalientes state electoral court, Baena had become a symbol of hope and progress for the community. However, their life was cut short when they were discovered dead alongside their partner, Dorian Herrera, on Monday morning. The state prosecutor’s office confirmed that both individuals showed injuries consistent with a knife or sharp object.

The suggestion that suicide may have played a role in the deaths has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ groups, who view it as an attempt by authorities to downplay violence against their community. People who knew Baena have described them as joyful and optimistic about the future in recent weeks. Federal Security Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez stated that authorities are investigating the deaths and have not yet determined whether it was a homicide or an accident. However, LGBTQ+ rights groups are urging the authorities to consider the targeted hate messages and threats that Baena had received in their investigation.

Alejandro Brito, director of the LGBTQ+ rights group Letra S, emphasized that Baena’s visibility on social media made them a target for violence. Brito called on the authorities to take into account the threats and hate messages Baena had received, stating, “They, the magistrate, was breaking through the invisible barriers that closed in the nonbinary community.” Thousands of protesters gathered in Mexico City to demand a thorough investigation into the deaths, lighting candles and shouting slogans such as “Justice” and “We won’t stay silent.”

Among the protesters was Nish López, who came out as nonbinary in March and was inspired by Baena. López praised Baena’s ability to challenge societal norms and create change regardless of gender identity. Baena had made history in October 2022 by becoming the first nonbinary person in Latin America to assume a judicial position. They also played a significant role in the issuance of Mexico’s first passports with a nonbinary gender designation.

Despite progress in reducing anti-LGBTQ+ violence in Mexico, LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face discrimination and targeted attacks. The National Observatory of Hate Crimes Against LGBTI+ Persons in Mexico reported 305 violent hate crimes against sexual minorities in 2019-2022, including murder and disappearances. Baena’s death has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ rights activists that it could lead to further violence against the community.

However, for López and many others who took part in the protest, the prevailing sentiment was not fear but a determination to carry on Baena’s legacy. The tragic loss of Baena has intensified calls for justice and equality for the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico, as they strive to create a society free from discrimination and violence..