Thousands in Mexico demand justice for LGBTQ+ figure found dead after death threats

Thousands in Mexico are seeking justice for the death of LGBTQ+ figure Jesús Ociel Baena, the country’s first openly nonbinary magistrate.

The Incident: Baena and his partner Dorian Herrera were found dead in their home, with injuries seemingly caused by a knife or other sharp object.
* The state prosecutor noted that there were no signs of a third party present at the crime scene.
* Authorities are currently investigating if the case is a homicide or an accident.
* The theory of suicide was rejected by the LGBTQ+ community and individuals who knew Baena, who described him as a passionate and upbeat person focused on the future.

Community Response: Baena’s death has sparked outrage in the LGBTQ+ community, with fears of further violence.
* Thousands of people participated in a justice rally in Mexico City, chanting “Justice” and “We won’t stay silent.”
* Alejandro Brito of LGBTQ+ rights group Letra S stressed the importance of investigating Baena’s many received online threats.
* Supporters say that Baena paved the way for the nonbinary community, showing that change can be inspired regardless of gender identity.

Baena’s Influence: Being the first nonbinary person to assume a judicial post in Mexico, Baena served as a source of inspiration for many.
* Baena was one of the first to receive a passport in Mexico listing its holder as nonbinary.
* Through social media platforms, Baena had amassed hundreds of thousands of followers advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.

By the Numbers: Recent reports indicate an alarming rise in violence against LGBTQ+ individuals in Mexico.
* Between 2019-2022, 305 violent hate crimes, including murder and disappearances, against sexual minorities have been registered by the National Observatory of Hate Crimes Against LGBTI+ Persons in Mexico.
* Brito’s Letra S has documented at least 117 slain lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.

View original article on NPR
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