Mexico

Mexico has emerged as a regional leader in recognizing the rights of LGBTIQ individuals. Marriage equality is now universally recognized across all 32 states, a milestone achieved through years of advocacy and legal battles. Federal and local laws prohibit conversion practices, reinforcing the right to self-determination and protecting individuals from harmful interventions disguised as therapy. Respect for the rights of trans people has progressed in recent years, with 22 of the 32 states offering legal gender recognition processes that allow individuals to update their official documents without requiring invasive medical or psychological evaluations. Nevertheless, LGBT persons still experience discrimination and harassment in education and employment, contributing to economic precarity.

Intersex people’s rights have gained visibility primarily through the efforts of organizations like Brújula Intersexual. Collaborations with government institutions, such as the National Council to Prevent Discrimination, have led to advances like Mexico City’s constitutional prohibition of discrimination based on sex characteristics and a 2017 Ministry of Health recommendation against unnecessary surgeries on intersex children. Despite these strides, challenges persist, with many intersex individuals reporting non-consensual surgeries and a lack of access to affirming medical care.

*Outright research indicates that the bodily autonomy of intersex people is not respected and protected in this country.