Non-binary people march for identity recognition, honor slain magistrate Ociel Baena

Non-binary people marched in Mexico City on July 14, International Non-Binary Day, demanding recognition of their identities and dignified, accessible, and discrimination-free gender affirmation processes. The demonstration in Palestina Libre square also honored the memory of magistrate Ociel Baena, who was murdered with his partner in November 2023.

Participants chanted "Ociel lives, lives, lives. The struggle continues, continues, and continues!" They emphasized their existence and contribution to society, asserting their right to live with freedom, security, and recognition. "All people, all rights!" they declared.

The protest also drew attention to the issue of disappearances in Mexico, with participants posting notices of missing persons and protesting the high number of disappearances. They also voiced opposition to the World Cup and solidarity with Palestine, with chants of "Mexico champion in disappearance."

Dani Escamilla told El Universal that preserving Baena's image offers hope for regaining rights that have been taken away, calling it a "historic struggle." The marchers also denounced hate speech and crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, citing the recent murder of Benjamín Medrano, Mexico's first openly gay mayor, and the lack of dialogue with the Ministry of the Interior regarding transgender issues.

The demonstration concluded at the Civil Registry, where participants denounced "barriers, irregularities, and expressions of institutional violence" faced by non-binary individuals seeking to exercise their right to identity.