A " muxe " is a man who dresses and behaves in ways associated with women . This indigenous tradition has existed for centuries but it has gained popularity in recent years thanks to the LGBTQ movement . The " muxes " come from Zapotec ancestry.
But in recent years, discrimination and hate have plagued Oaxaca .
On February 9 , Óscar Cazorla López , an activist and a fierce fighter of the rights of the muxe community , was murdered at his home in Juchitán . For over 40 years, he fought for the rights of the muxe community and against a homophobic society .
According to the organization “Authentic Intrepids Danger Hunters” and the Deputy Attorney General's Office , at least 5 muxes have been murdered in the Isthmus of Oaxaca .
According to the files from the Deputy Attorney General's Office , the first case registered was Carlos Escobar Silva , from Tehuantepec , who was murdered by Ricardo Méndez Olivera. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter and fined MXN $134,669.
The second case is a muxe that was named as “NN” in the reports. He was murdered back in 2011.
The third case is Elvis Aníbal Santiago Medina Niza from Juchitán , Oaxaca , who was murdered on April 28, 2012 ; the accused, Jomás Pérez Hernández didn't face any charges and he is free.
The fourth case, Adán Sánchez López , was murdered on March 12, 2009, in Juchitán . No one was arrested for the murder .
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