Ociel Baena
Jesús Ociel Baena Saucedo | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 December 1984 Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico |
| Died | 13 November 2023 (aged 38) Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico |
| Alma mater | Autonomous University of Coahuila |
| Occupation | Electoral magistrate, LGBT+ rights activist |
| Known for | First non-binary magistrate in Latin America |
| Nickname | Le Magistrade |
Jesús Ociel Baena Saucedo (9 December 1984 – 13 November 2023) was a Mexican activist for non-binary and LGBT+ rights, and electoral magistrate at the State Electoral Court of Aguascalientes. On 1 October 2022, they became the first non-binary magistrate in Latin American history.[1][2][3]
Early years
Baena was born in Saltillo, Coahuila, where he earned a bachelor's and master's degree in law from the Autonomous University of Coahuila and worked as lecturer of electoral law, legislative process and public management at the University for Professional Development (Unidep, 2010-2011).[4]
In 2012 he moved to Aguascalientes,[5] where they completed a doctoral degree in electoral law at the Autonomous University of Durango and worked as an electoral secretary at the National Electoral Institute (INE) and as a professor of electoral law at both the Autonomous University of Aguascalientes (UAA, 2015-2017) and Cuauhtémoc University (2012-2015).[4]
Non binary and LGBT+ Activism
Baena was a prominent activist of non-binary and LGBT+ rights.[6] As an electoral law specialist, they advocated the inclusion of LGBT+ candidates and issues within political parties,[5][7] promoted gender-inclusive language,[5] and urged Mexican authorities to issue voting and identity documents that accurately reflect the gender identity of every holder.[5] On 17 May 2023, Baena made history by becoming the first Mexican citizen to receive a gender-neutral passport (which at the time only 16 countries were offering)[8] and was sworn as a magistrate next to a rainbow flag.[9]
Their accomplishments were covered by CNN en Español[1] and the segment was nominated in the 34th GLAAD Media Awards.[10]
Death
Baena and their partner, Dorian Daniel Nieves Herrera,[11] were found dead in their home on 13 November 2023.[2][12][13] According to the local authorities, both presented wounds by a shaving blade,[14] and the security cameras showed no third party entering their home after they arrived in the early hours from a trip to Oaxaca.[7]
Several LGBT+ organizations organized a silent vigil attended by thousands in 13 Mexican cities.[15][6] They pointed out that Baena had denounced death threats a few months earlier, when their friend and LGBT+ activist Ulises Salvador Nava was also murdered in the same city,[16] and historically Mexican police had tended to haphazardly dismiss homophobic crimes as "crimes of passion".[9]
References
- ^ a b "Jesús Ociel Baena, la primera persona no binaria en América Latina en llegar a un cargo de magistrado electoral" (in Spanish). CNN. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ a b Rosete, Erika (13 November 2023). "Hallado sin vida el 'magistrade' Jesús Ociel Baena Saucedo en su casa en Aguascalientes" (in Spanish). El Pais. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ "Jesús Ociel Baena: Mexico's first non-binary magistrate found dead". BBC News. 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
- ^ a b Baena Saucedo, Jesús Ociel. "Síntesis curricular" (PDF). Tribunal Electoral del Estado de Aguascalientes (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d Warkentin, Gabriela (11 October 2022). "Le magistrade Ociel Baena" (in Spanish). El Pais. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ a b Fredrick, James (14 November 2023). "'A painful loss for our community': Mexico's queer population demands answers in magistrate death". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ a b Miranda, Fernando (14 November 2023). "Democracia inclusiva, disrupción y el infierno de la discriminación: el último mensaje que dio le magistrade en Oaxaca" (in Spanish). Oaxaca: El Universal. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ "Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard issues first non-binary passports in Mexico and abroad". Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Mexico's first openly non-binary magistrate found dead at home". The Guardian. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Nominees for the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ Rodríguez, Darinka (14 November 2023). "La Fiscalía de Aguascalientes asegura que la pareja del 'magistrade' Ociel Baena le mató y se suicidó" (in Spanish). El Pais. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ "Mexico's first openly non-binary magistrate found dead at home". Reuters. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ Janetsky, Megan. "Mexican LGBTQ+ figure found dead at home after receiving death threats". Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
- ^ García, David Alire (14 November 2023). "Prominent non-binary Mexican activist killed with blade, says prosecutor". Reuters. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Thousands in Mexico demand justice for LGBTQ+ figure found dead after death threats". NPR. Associated Press. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ Cerbón, Mónica (13 November 2023). "Hallan sin vida al magistrade Jesús Ociel Baena Saucedo en Aguascalientes". Proceso. Retrieved 13 November 2023.