Cancún Helps 150+ People Change Gender Identity

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Directorate for Attention to Sexual Diversity in the municipality of Benito Juárez has accompanied and guided more than 150 people through their gender identity change procedures this year, according to its director, Noahmy Hermida Nieves.

The official stated that the department provides comprehensive advisory services to those requiring updates to their official documents, ranging from birth certificates and voter identification cards to school certificates and records with the SAT (Tax Administration Service) or IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute).

Furthermore, she highlighted that the National Electoral Institute (INE) has demonstrated notable openness and sensitivity in expediting data modifications, thereby facilitating the process for individuals from the sexual diversity community.

According to figures from the directorate, 48 free gender identity change procedures have been completed since July, and it is estimated that November will conclude with at least 20 additional procedures, raising the annual total to more than 60. Each month, between 120 and 150 people receive advisory services or follow-up on their cases.

Hermida Nieves emphasized that, thanks to the management of Municipal President Ana Patricia Peralta, the state tax that had made the procedure more expensive has been eliminated. Currently, the cost is reduced to a symbolic fee of 748 pesos, corresponding solely to the state payment.

However, she acknowledged that administrative barriers persist in some states of the country, such as Oaxaca, Chiapas, and certain regions of Veracruz, where the lack of standardization of birth certificates complicates and delays the process.

The director reiterated that the department will continue collaborating with the Civil Registry and RENAPO (National Population Registry) to advance document standardization and guarantee the right to recognition of gender identity under conditions of equality, respect, and dignity.