Mexico’s New President (And What It Means for the Future of LGBT Rights)

Held hostage by almost a century of near one party control, Mexico welcomes a landslide victory of their first left-wing president in decades, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The president-in-waiting, commonly referred to as AMLO, has been deemed a staunch populist seeking to end years of corruption, violence and inequity in Mexico. However, he has received criticism for his nationalist campaign rhetoric contrasted by his relative silence on LGBT issues.

Despite Mexico recognizing same-sex marriages as legal nationwide, only certain Mexican states and municipalities currently perform same-sex marriages in the country.

While AMLO states that he would adhere to the country's present legislation and rulings regarding nationwide marriage recognition and the unconstitutionality of same-sex marriage bans, he has been averse to propose any other progressive measures for the future of LGBT rights in the country.

Mexico's LGBT community has also questioned AMLO's projection for their future, along with his party's decision to partner with a socially conservative party to bolster the former Mexico City mayor's election prospects in this election.

Reuters recently reported from Mexico City Pride the community's thoughts on AMLO's quiet attitude, with some annoyed by the new president's lack of attention and others noting his party's influence in moderating their right-wing ally.

"At the start they say they're going to help you, but when the time comes, they forget us," transgender woman Mitzariy Bonarroti said to Reuters.

Likened to President Trump for his fervent speeches and attacks against establishment government, AMLO has mainly focused on his aims to relieve Mexico of institutional corruption and rampant violence affecting Mexico's impoverished communities under decades of a right-leaning "power mafia."