Mexico fails LGBTIQ+ inclusion in safety and education, UN agency reveals

Mexico shows significant shortcomings in safety and education for its LGBTIQ+ population, despite progress in legal rights, according to the first 'LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Index in Mexico' released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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The existence of laws does not automatically translate into improvements in their well-being.

The index, which evaluated 51 indicators across five dimensions of human development, awarded Mexico a score of 0.64 out of 1. The country's lowest scores were in personal safety and violence (0.43) and education (0.48). In contrast, political and civic participation (0.84) and health (0.75) received higher marks.

The UNDP noted that this disparity underscores the gap between Mexico's legal framework and the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ individuals. The existence of laws does not automatically translate into improved well-being. Data from the 2021 National Survey on Sexual and Gender Diversity (ENDISEG) revealed that 40.7% of the LGBTIQ+ population reported experiencing depression, compared to 27.8% of the non-LGBTIQ+ population. Furthermore, 28.7% reported suicidal ideation or attempts, a rate three times higher than the general population.

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40.7 % of the LGBTIQ+ population reported having experienced depression, compared to 27.8 % of the non-LGBTIQ+ population.

Mexico is recognized as a regional leader in Latin America for its probabilistic national data on sexual and gender diversity. The UNDP's index aims to enhance data generation and guide public policy. However, the agency recommended that Mexico strengthen statistical measurement, harmonize its legal framework, and advance reforms concerning gender identity and protection against discrimination to better support the LGBTIQ+ community.

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28.7 % said they had had suicidal ideation or attempted suicide, a proportion that triples that registered in the general population.