Maya Activist Jazmín Pech Monge Wins LGBT+ Advocacy Honor

Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo — Jazmín Magdalena Pech Monge, a young Maya activist from Felipe Carrillo Puerto, will receive an honorary mention for her work defending the rights of indigenous LGBT+ youth through advocacy in the Maya language and community media. The recognition, awarded in the Sexual and Gender Diversity category, highlights her efforts to promote visibility and inclusion for marginalized communities in rural Quintana Roo.

Championing LGBT+ Rights in Indigenous Contexts

Pech Monge, a native of the Maya heartland, has spearheaded projects combining translation, cultural preservation, and LGBT+ awareness campaigns. Her initiatives include an LGBTQ+ outreach program broadcast on community radio station XHNKA, which reaches audiences at 104.5 FM.

In Felipe Carrillo Puerto, as in many rural areas, LGBT+ individuals face systemic challenges such as discrimination, lack of safe spaces, and limited visibility. While no official statistics exist on the local LGBT+ population, Pech Monge emphasizes the urgent need for advocacy.

“Receiving this mention fills me with pride, but above all, responsibility. Maya LGBT+ youth exist, resist, and dream of living freely without fear of discrimination—of simply being who we are,” Pech Monge stated.

Ceremony and Broader Impact

The award ceremony will take place on August 12, coinciding with International Youth Day, to celebrate Quintana Roo’s young leaders driving social change. Pech Monge’s work stands out for its intersection of indigenous identity, language preservation, and human rights activism.

Her campaigns challenge stereotypes and foster dialogue in traditionally conservative spaces, demonstrating how grassroots efforts can reshape cultural narratives. The recognition underscores the growing momentum for inclusive policies in Mexico’s indigenous communities.