Muxes, proud to be “the third gender” of Mexico

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Unlike the rest of the LGBTI community in the country, the muxes take over tasks that are common among Zapotec women

Being accepted among the men and women of the Juchiteca community is a source of pride for Mística Sánchez Gómez, an indigenous Zapotec muxe originally from Juchitán de Zaragoza, Oaxaca.

” It is a privilege for us that eighty percent of the people already understand that we are human beings and people like them , and that we have fought for our rights,” he says in a firm voice.

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Mysticism is part of what in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region is known as the “third gender”: muxes , who do not define themselves as either men or women . Unlike the rest of the LGBTI community in the country, the muxes take care of the children, embroider, help in the festivities and take care of the home, tasks that are common among Zapotec women .

“And that is why we have earned the respect to be able to wear the clothing of the woman from Isthmus,” says Mística while recalling the discrimination suffered some years ago, when the Muxe community was still not fully accepted.

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Nowadays, they go out freely through the streets dressed in the typical costume of the Tehuana woman and that the renowned Mexican painter Frida Kahlo used to wear as a symbol of Mexicanness.

With her huipil and skirt embroidered with silk threads, petticoat, as well as earrings and gold necklace, the muxes can now go to the candles, one of the most deeply rooted traditions in Oaxaca where a celebration is celebrated in honor of the patron saints.

Wearing her elegant dress full of tradition and culture, the Mystic Zapotec paraded down Paseo del Reforma Avenue on June 29 at the 41st LGBT Pride March in Mexico City.

She says she was satisfied to have walked along the most important avenue in Mexico City, where, together with the entire community, she was well received, even admired and recognized for her elegant attire.

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He recognizes that twenty percent acceptance for which he has to fight, but while celebrating that the fight is already paying off. For Mística, the most important thing is to give respect, that is how he earned a place within the Zapotec population: “if we ask for respect, we have to give respect,” he says.

Source: informador

The Mazatlan Post