Guerrero legislators advance reforms to safeguard youth sexual, gender and cultural rights

In the state legislature of Guerrero, Mexico, Deputy Jorge Iván Ortega Jiménez of the PRD introduced a reform to the Youth Law (Law No. 688) to explicitly recognize the right to free development of personality, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The amendment seeks to align state law with the national Constitution, international human‑rights treaties and Supreme Court rulings, citing data that 7.2 % of Guerrero’s population (about 186,000 people) identify as LGBTTTIQ+, with a third of them aged 15‑19, and highlighting the discrimination they face in education, work, health and social participation.

At the same time, Deputy Claudia Sierra Pérez proposed additional amendments to the Youth Law to obligate state and municipal authorities to promote policies, programs and participatory spaces that strengthen the cultural, social and community identity of young people. The proposal adds new paragraphs to articles 67 and 68 and creates articles 68 Bis and 68 Ter, recognizing the right of youth—especially those from indigenous Nahua, Mixtec, Tlapaneco, Amuzgo and Afro‑Mexican communities—to preserve and transmit their traditions, languages, artistic expressions and community organization, while preventing discrimination based on appearance or cultural identity.