Mexico City, Mexico – Mexican LGBT groups are calling for justice after the murder of Miriam Ríos, a transgender member of the opposition Civic Movement (MC) party in the state of Michoacán. Ríos was fatally shot in the streets of the municipality of Jacona, prompting outrage and demands for action from the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.
The organization Yaaj México, formerly known as Twitter, issued a strong condemnation of Ríos’ murder, describing her as a valuable member of the LGBTI+ community and an active participant in society. The local MC leadership also expressed their condolences and urged authorities to fulfill their obligation to investigate and shed light on the crime.
Ríos’s murder marks the second time a trans woman has been killed in Mexico this year. The tragic event follows the death of stylist Gaby Ortiz, who was found dead in the state of Hidalgo just days earlier. Additionally, Ríos was the fifth candidate preparing to participate in the 2024 elections who has been murdered in less than a month.
The Movement for Equality in Mexico (MOVii) has joined the chorus of voices denouncing Ríos’ murder and demanding that authorities at all levels ensure the safety and respect of the LGBT community. According to reports, Ríos was an activist, coordinator of the LGBT collective Respect and Gender Equality, and a municipal commissioner of MC in Jacona.
Despite legal progress in protecting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, Mexico continues to experience a high rate of homophobic and transphobic violence. The National Observatory of LGBT Hate Crimes of the Arcoíris Foundation has identified Mexico as the second country in Latin America, after Brazil, with the most incidents of such violence.
The murder of Miriam Ríos has ignited a wave of frustration and sadness within the LGBTQ+ community, as well as calls for accountability and justice. The LGBTQ+ community and its allies are urging authorities to take decisive action to address the violence and discrimination faced by transgender individuals in Mexico.
Miriam Ríos, at 38 years old, was more than a victim of a senseless crime – she was a respected member of her community and a dedicated activist. Her untimely death serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the urgent need to protect the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.