Body found of missing Deaf LGBTQ+ activist in Mexico
In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Rubén Michel Castro Guízar (32), who identified himself as a Deaf gay man and was an LGBTQ+ activist in Puerto Vallarta, went missing after a Pride parade on May 25th. Several news articles said that he had been missing since May 25th. His body was found on June 6th by the property owner of the apartment he was renting out. His body was found near the apartment in a shallow grave. Based on the autopsy in one of the reports, officials determined that he died from a blow to the back of the head.
Guízar’s mother, Bacilia, is demanding justice and blames the authorities for not taking quick action after he was reported missing. She wants justice. Guízar’s mother said he used sign language to communicate, and his sister said he identified himself as part of the “deaf population,” meaning the Deaf community. The LGBTQ community and allies in Puerto Vallarta are speaking up on social media to support Guízar’s mother’s call for justice. A person named Karla Abigail Macedo Juarez, who was crowned as Miss Trans Latina in 2021, posted on Facebook saying that the disappearance of Guízar is a good example of the vulnerability that the LGBTQ+ community faces in our society. We included a link to the full post in this transcript.
We reached out to the Deaf Queer Resource Center (DQRC) for their comment on the situation. This is part of their statement:
[Full screen text]:
“The Deaf Queer Resource Center (DQRC) is in solidarity with the Deaf LGBTQ, LGBTQ, and Deaf communities and allies in Mexico, expressing deep grief and outrage over the recent tragic murder of Rubén Michel Castro Guizar. Guizar, a 32-year-old Deaf gay Mexican man, was violently murdered after participating in a Pride march on May 25th in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Guizar's family, friends, and communities, who are mourning the senseless loss of this vibrant individual.
We are profoundly alarmed by the escalating number of violent hate crimes targeting LGBTQ individuals. According to a study conducted by the Williams Institute at UCLA, LGBTQ people are nine times more likely than non-LGBTQ individuals to fall victim to violent hate crimes…
…To our allies and communities: We implore you to actively combat racism, homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, cisssexism, sexism, anti-semitism, ableism, vidism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination whenever you encounter them (when safe to do so). Only through collective efforts can we create a world where LGBTQ individuals of all identities are safe, respected, valued and loved.”
- Deaf Queer Resource Center (DQRC)
For more information on DQRC, we have included their information in this transcript.
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From our understanding, a funeral was recently hosted on June 7th. In a news article, Bacilia, his mother, said that Guízar had a “peaceful personality and had infectious joy that touched the hearts of all those who were fortunate enough to know him.” She also said to share his story and continue to spread the word about getting justice for Guízar. You can follow updates through the hashtag #justiciaparamichel. Our thoughts are with Guízar’s family and friends through this time.
Hashtag: #justiciaparamichel
Links:
https://outandaboutpv.com/missing-gay-man-michel-castro-guizar-found-dead/
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=567319658907582&set=a.556527389986809
Karla: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=787808859578990&set=pb.100050496495635.-2207520000.
DQRC information and full statement