Elvis Guerra, a muxe artist and embroiderer from Oaxaca, says Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum personally called him to promise that his case will not go unpunished. Guerra is the craftsperson behind the intricate embroidery on the traditional garment Sheinbaum wore during her Independence Day address, known in Mexico as the “Grito,” a ceremonial speech commemorating the country’s 1810 independence movement.
The term “muxe” refers to a recognized third-gender identity among the Indigenous Zapotec community of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, where Guerra is known for his elaborate traditional needlework.
According to Guerra, his home was recently attacked by gunfire, an incident he has publicly denounced and which follows an earlier report of an attack on his residence that he said left him fearing for his safety. After going public with the shooting, Guerra says he received a direct call from the president, who assured him that authorities would pursue the case and that there would be no impunity for those responsible.
The attacks have drawn attention not only because of Guerra’s artistic prominence and connection to a high-profile presidential appearance, but also because of broader concerns about violence and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities in parts of Mexico.
For the full story and more details, read the original report from Reforma.
Source: Asegura bordadora muxe que Sheinbaum le prometió justicia (Reforma).
Image: Department of Environmental Protection Recycling a, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).