Indigenous candidate says she’s facing discrimination in Mexico because she’s a lesbian

• Zara Monrroy says she’s facing discrimination for being a lesbian.
• She’s accusing the Hermosillo city government.
• The indigenous activist is fighting for equal rights.

An indigenous activist says she’s facing discrimination  in Mexico simply because she is a lesbian.

Zara Monrroy stated that she will not be able to hold the position of ethnic councilor for the City Council of Hermosillo, Sonora.

She accused Governor Genaro Robles and the president of the Council of Elders, Enrique Robles Barnett, of discrimination.

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Zara Monrroy was told her sexual orientation could «harm the community»

«We have the right to be elected and to vote, as stated by the law and a national pact made for women by the Electoral Institute and the Government,» Zara Monrroy declared.

She said she was told that she could not run for local office because she is gay and that she would «harm the community.»

«Our council told me that — that’s machismo, it’s gender violence and it’s wrong,» Zara said.

The authorities of the Comca’ac Nation chose Romelia Barnett as the ethnic councilor for the City Council of Hermosillo.

Indigenous people and their struggle to run for office

The National Electoral Institute ordered parties to nominate indigenous and LGBTQ candidates to run for president.

Recently, 23 candidates were invalidated after it was discovered that the parties were not actually nominating members of Mexico’s indigenous peoples.

More than 23 million of Mexico’s 126 million residents identify as indigenous.

The National Council of Indigenous Peoples said that parties engage in «identity usurpation» and there is «simulation in electoral processes.»

Monrroy’s nomination «is beyond their reach»

Nery Ruiz Arvizu said that denying Monrroy’s nomination, which was rejected because she is a lesbian, «is beyond their reach.»

«In Hermosillo, the Comca’ac Nation of Punta Chueca currently has a male councilor, for equity, they will have to nominate a woman.»

«Traditional authorities have the authority to designate as they see fit, we will be respectful,» said Ruiz.

The electoral official said that Monrroy has the right to challenge the decision before the Electoral Court of the Federal Judicial Power (TEPJF).

The Constitution ensures indigenous representation in Mexico

In Mexico, indigenous representation on city councils is mandated by the Constitution, according to EFE.

Although there are 68 indigenous peoples in the 32 federal entities, only Sonora and San Luis Potosí have the position of ethnic councilor.

In Sonora, there are 72 municipalities and 20 will designate ethnic councilors in the upcoming elections on June 2.

Two will be for the Comca’ac Nation, one in Punta Chueca, in the municipality of Hermosillo and another for El Desemboque, in the municipality of Pitiquito.

Discrimination still exists in Mexico

María Luisa Alatorre Castañeda, an activist from the organization Diverciudad, believes that a new election should be called, according to EFE.

«Unfortunately, discrimination exists, even though the electoral institutes endorsed affirmative action,» said Alatorre Castañeda.

Certain groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community, are guaranteed representation, and Zara Monrroy could fit in there.

Monrroy often shares information on social media.