Editor’s Letter

This is a celebratory issue of ReVista. Throughout Latin America, LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination laws have been passed or strengthened. Same-sex marriage is legal in eight countries, and civil unions in most. Colombia produced the first LGBTQ+-friendly peace agreement in the world. Argentina became the first country ever to allow anyone to change the gender assigned at birth through a process known as gender self-identification. Many Latin American cities began to promote gay-friendly tourism. LGBTQ+ people hold important political posts.

This is a tragic issue of ReVista. Anti-gay violence is spreading throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In Mexico, on November 13, just as we were converting the Spotlight on Queer in Latin America into the Fall 2023 issue, Magistrate Jesús Ociel Baena Saucedo, the first non-binary judge in Latin America, and their partner, Dorian Daniel Nieves Herrera, were found dead in their apartment after receiving threats. Mexican LGBTQ+ rights group Letra S documented 453 murders in the community from 2018-22 but said the actual number is likely much higher. Mexico is not alone. Brazil recorded 273 violent deaths in 2022, 84% of them murders. Homophobia rages throughout the region despite progressive legislation making it a crime.

This is a creative issue of ReVista. We hear from LGBTQ+ activists, historians, philosophers and writers as they think on the nature of queerness and explore the community’s art. It’s the ReVista issue with the most poetry of any since its founding, and the verses just emerged unsolicited, embedded in articles and essays.

Perhaps this comes about because between the light of progress and the shadows of homophobia and death, there is a creative, vibrant community struggling to reconcile the two and make its voice heard.

Enjoy their vision as you read.