Indigenous Muxes Are Mexico's Ancient 'Third Gender' Madeline Raynor - Slate
go to original February 7, 2017

The latest documentary by Ivan Olita is a piece documenting the far reaches of the southern state of Oaxaca where, in the indigenous communities around the town of Juchitán, the world is not divided simply into males and females. The local Zapotec people have made room for a third category, which they call “muxes” - men who consider themselves women and live in a socially sanctioned limbo between the two genders. (Ivan Olita)

This beautiful short documentary by Ivan Olita delves into a unique identity in Juchitán, Mexico: a third gender known as muxes.

Many muxes are men who consider themselves women. "Even though we take on a feminine role, we have our own muxe identity, which is what defines us," one says in the film. "People see it normally. No one really cares how you dress. People actually cheer if you look good."

Though the muxe's political dimensions have become more complicated in recent years, this film tells a moving story of personal and community acceptance that is unique to the region.

See the original at Slate

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