Who was Ociel Baena, first openly non-binary magistrate in Mexico? Everything you need to know about him

Mexico’s first openly non-binary magistrate passed away on Monday. A well-known LGBTQ activist, Ociel Baena, was found dead at his home in the central state of Aguascalientes. Confirming the death, Mexico’s Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez announced that the authorities are investigating the cause of death. Addressing the president’s regular morning press conference, she said, "We don’t know yet … if it was a homicide or if it was some kind of accident."

Celebrated LGBTQ activist

In a statement issued on Monday, the Aguascalientes state prosecutor’s office said that Baena’s body was found along with that of another person, who has been identified as Baena’s partner.


Baena used they/them pronouns. He was celebrated across Latin America for their work to advance the rights of the LGBTQ community. Baena was sworn in as a magistrate on the Aguascalientes state electoral tribunal in October 2022 in front of the rainbow LGBTQ flag.

'Personal matter'

The authorities have said in a statement that preliminary findings showed no evidence of a third party at the scene and that the deaths could have been a 'personal matter'. It also said that the authorities are carrying out a forensic analysis to determine the cause of death.

LGBTQ activists hold vigil

LGBTQ activists in Mexico held vigils and demonstrations on Monday night in Aguascalientes, as well as Mexico City, Monterrey and other major cities. On the other hand, human rights organizations have called for an investigation into whether Baena’s death was related to their gender identity.

Mourning the death, the former chief justice of Mexico’s Supreme Court, Arturo Zaldivar, said that he deeply lamented Baena’s death. He wrote in a social media post, "We lost a strong voice for equality and the rights of LGBTI+ people."

FAQs:

Why was Ociel Baena famous?
Ociel Baena was celebrated across Latin America for their work to advance the rights of the LGBTQ community. Baena was sworn in as a magistrate on the Aguascalientes state electoral tribunal in October 2022 in front of the rainbow LGBTQ flag.

What have the authorities said about the cause of Ociel Baena's death?
The authorities have said in a statement that preliminary findings showed no evidence of a third party at the scene and that Ociel Baena's deaths could have been a 'personal matter'.