Muxes, typically assigned male at birth, embody a blend of gay and feminine identities, an integral part of the Zapotec cultures where traditional gender binaries are less defined. "In the Zapotec language, there is no gender," explained Felina Santiago, a respected figure in Juchitan's muxe community. "We have always existed and we have always resisted."
This year's festival, named the "True Fearless Seekers of Danger" vela, not only celebrated the muxe identity but also served as a platform for raising awareness about the challenges facing LGBTQ individuals in Mexico. The festival began with a special mass, attended by local community members and festival participants.
The significance of the event was heightened by recent tragic events within the LGBTQ community. In 2019, Oscar Cazorla, the founder of this vela over four decades ago, was tragically killed at his home. Additionally, just days before this year's festival, Ociel Baena, Mexico's first openly non-binary magistrate and a renowned LGBTQ activist, was found deceased in Aguascalientes. These unsolved cases underscored the ongoing risks and struggles for gender-diverse individuals in Mexico.
Elvis Guerra, a participant in the muxe pageant, eloquently summed up the sentiment of the festival: "Our fight will end the day we have equality, the day there is respect for the community, and most importantly, the day when going out to fight is a privilege and not a necessity." The festival, thus, served as a potent reminder of the vibrant muxe culture and the continuous battle for LGBTQ rights in Mexico.