Consular Diplomacy, Policies and LGBT Rights - Lessons from Mexico Vanessa Calva Ruiz - The Hill
go to original October 18, 2016

A reveler participates in the 35th Pride Parade in Mexico City, capital of Mexico (Xinhua)

The inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights has become an essential part of the human rights agenda and as such it must be incorporated in consular protection policies. Mexico’s leadership on consular diplomacy and diaspora empowerment, particularly through its consulates in the United States, can provide unique assets to contribute to the strengthening of LGBT rights.

Since 2010, the Mexican Supreme Court emitted key rulings regarding LGBT rights; after recognizing same-sex marriage in Mexico City, in 2015 it ruled that state bans against same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. In accordance with these decisions, in April of this year Mexico’s president presented a constitutional reform to legalize same-sex marriage in the country and make it a permanent part of the legal code. These national changes have impacted Mexico’s foreign policy, and over the years there have been different initiatives to construct a formal framework to connect with LGBT Mexicans abroad.

Mexico has been at the forefront of consular innovations, implementing core integral empowerment programs in key areas through its 51 consular representations in the U.S. (the largest network a country has in the world); health, education, civil rights and specialized legal counsel initiatives have been constructed rendering important results and expertise. This has created a network of allies to carry out consular functions in a more effective manner; through daily interactions with U.S. authorities, community organizations, academic and financial institutions, and media, consulates connect key actors and authorities with Mexican nationals.

...To continue moving forward, we now need to expand our collaboration with longstanding allies that already have an inclusive LGBT agenda. For example, the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and even federal authorities like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), are actively addressing LGBT rights as part of their overall strategies. This cohort of allies, NGOs, legal groups, attorneys, community leaders and organizations, need to be consulted and included in outreach efforts to the Mexican LGBT community.

Read the rest at The Hill

Related: Why Won't the UN Agenda for Inclusive Cities Recognize LGBTQ Citizens? (The Guardian)

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