2017 Theses Master's

The Rapid Development of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: The case study of Mexico City and its particularities for the advancement of rights

Manzur-Soda, Michel E.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Movement has a long history of advocating for equal rights and non-discrimination policies for its members. Their fights, along with the strengthening of the Human Rights discourse in the last years, resulted in a rather fast evolution of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) in many parts of the world. In this context, Mexico City represents a highly interesting case to be analyzed. In less than 20 years, the local legislation has changed in favor of the LGBTQ population; laws advocating for inclusion and defense of SOGI rights are multiplying, reflecting a deep interest of Mexico City’s government on SOGI issues. However, as important as the LGBTQ movement has been in this phenomenon, it has not been the only element. The evolution of SOGI rights in Mexico City came as a result of the combination of a particular political timing and spatial elements that allowed the City to become more open and liberal than the rest of the country. Mainly, there were four elements that made this development possible: a) the contemporary international Human Rights and SOGI rights trend (deeply linked to Mexico City); b) the characteristics of Mexico City as a big urban area, reshaping sexuality and gender; c) Mexico City’s transition to democracy and the empowerment of a leftwing party in Mexico City; d) a strong tradition of secularism, keeping the Catholic Church outside the creation of laws and court decisions.