Towards Free Expression of Identity and Desire

Mexico Regional Network

During the last decade, Mexico has seen important legal modification in regards to LGBTQ human rights, that have produced important transformations in social areas. Particularly, the inclusion of “sexual preference” into the Mexican constitution has allowed the visualization of discrimination based on sexual identity and orientation, and led to changes in institutional regulations that protect LGBTQ basic rights and in situations that may be adverse to this community. However, LGBTQ+ youth in Mexico remain at risk of violence and discrimination, and they need supportive organizations who can understand their needs and respond to them. We plan to conduct nine focus groups in three cities in Mexico, with distinct groups for gay and bisexual young men, lesbian and bisexual young women, and trans and queer-identified youth. These focus groups aim to answer the following research questions:

1. What effects do contexts and information and communication technology that LGBTQ+ youth occupy and use and the discourses within them have on their identity construction and psychosocial wellbeing?

2. What names do LGBTQ+ youth use to describe their sexual and gender identity?

3. What forms of violence and discrimination do LGBTQ+ youth face to the free expression of their desires, relationships and identities, and what effects do they have on their sexual and mental health?

4. How do LGBTQ+ youth relate to their different social groups (such as family, school and friends), and what are the main dynamics around body, identity, sexuality, gender and health in those groups?

5. What are the main emotions and coping skills, differentiated by identity/subgroups and regional context, that LGBTQ+ youth use in their daily life and particularly when facing adverse situations and contexts?

​This project was conducted in collaboration with community-based organizations who serve LGBTQ+ youth to enhance their service delivery. Nine focus groups were carried out in three Mexican cities with LGBTQ+ youth. Collected data was analyzed using grounded theory.