Mexico's indigenous "muxes" defy gender norms
Muxes, (pronounced MOO-shays) living in Mexico City gathered for the first time to share their traditions at a community party or "vela," as the event is called in their hometown Juchitan, a city of Zapotecs in the southern state of Oaxaca.
Gay men, transvestites and transgender people are generally accepted in Juchitan and often work as home helpers, embroiderers, decorators, cooks and entertainers.
It was a party to have fun but also an opportunity to reaffirm the muxes presence in the capital and celebrate their traditions from back home, said David Kelvin, who organized the vela.
According to anthropological studies, some women in Juchitan encourage their sons' muxe leanings because they tend to stay home and care for their parents rather than get married.
The contact between muxes and the gay community in Mexico City has led to the fusion of urban and indigenous cultures.
It was "important to have this party to rescue our culture, to rescue who we are and show the rest of the people in this city how we live our sexuality, how we exercise our rights," said David Kelvin, who organized the vela.
A cumbia band played while the singer invited audience members, who sat at tables packed with food and drinks, to dance.
Most donned Tehuana dresses, popularized around the world by Mexican artist Friday Kahlo, and many wore traditional large gold earrings and necklaces and a "resplandor," a headdress made from a starched veil placed around the face that creates a type of halo.
"Muxes are a blessing from God because they look after you when you are sick more than a woman would," said Vicenta Toledo, who attended the party with her gay son. "They are a very important part of life."