LGBTIQ+ Political Equality Report Urges Democratic Reform

Mexico City — The Commission on Diversity, chaired by Deputy Jaime Genaro López Vela of the Morena party, and the Observatory of LGBTIQ+ Political Participation in Latin America and the Caribbean jointly presented the report "Democracy Demands Equality: Mapping Strategies and Experiences in LGBTIQ+ Political Participation in Latin America and the Caribbean."

Key Findings and Legislative Implications

Deputy López Vela emphasized that the report provides a detailed analysis of Mexico’s case and includes recommendations for legislative, executive, and judicial authorities to strengthen political participation for the LGBTIQ+ community across the continent. He noted that political participation extends beyond the presence of openly LGBTIQ+ legislators to include concrete actions advancing their rights.

"Risks remain evident," López Vela warned, citing recent rollbacks of rights in the United States, El Salvador, Argentina, Italy, and Spain. "This report serves as a call to action to safeguard the progress achieved and encourage broader political engagement to prevent further setbacks."

Deputy Víctor Hugo Lobo Román, head of the Electoral and Political Reform Commission, stated that the findings will inform discussions on Mexico’s upcoming electoral reform in January. He stressed the need for reforms that enhance democracy, citizen participation, and equitable electoral conditions while acknowledging the ongoing challenges in securing full rights for the LGBTTTIQ+ community.

Regional Challenges and Progress

Wilson Castañeda, Executive Director of Caribe Afirmativo, highlighted systemic barriers in political systems dominated by patriarchal and misogynistic structures. He noted that feminist political theory has emerged as a tool for change but identified persistent challenges, including safety concerns during elections and limited access to political party platforms.

Paola Adriana López Santillán of Yaaj México reported that while Mexico leads the region in institutional progress and activism for LGBTIQ+ political participation, full and equal access remains elusive. Erick Iván Ortiz Godoy of the Global Equality Caucus underscored the movement’s growing political influence, urging deeper integration into democratic governance efforts.

Colombian Representative Carolina Giraldo Botero shared her country’s incremental progress, including a 2023 milestone where a non-binary individual registered for elected office—a victory secured through constitutional court rulings. She also highlighted ongoing legislative efforts to ban conversion therapy and advance gender identity rights.

Report Highlights

Andrés Treviño Luna of the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute outlined the report’s scope, analyzing LGBTIQ+ political participation in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2020 to 2024. Key findings include:

• 61 openly LGBTIQ+ individuals were elected to national legislatures between 1997 and 2024, 56% of whom were lesbian, bisexual, or transgender women.
• 88% of LGBTTTIQ+ respondents believe lack of political representation hinders rights recognition.
• 65% felt their candidacies were directly tied to their political parties, while 66% criticized parties for promoting positive messaging without structural change.
• Only 20% of party members trust their organizations to address discrimination.

The report identifies persistent barriers, including hate speech, regressive laws, lack of gender identity recognition, political violence, and systemic exclusion from party structures.

Commemoration and Call to Action

Before the presentation, Deputy López Vela led a moment of silence for individuals killed due to their sexual orientation. The event concluded with a unified call to leverage the report’s findings in advancing inclusive democracy across the region.