The most recent case occurred in the state of Querétaro when the governor stated that “it is an ideological issue”
Montserrat Maldonado In the country, five out of 32 entities still do not allow individuals to modify their birth certificates according to their gender identity through an administrative process and without the need for a legal proceeding. These are the states of Querétaro, Chiapas, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, and Durango. The first is the most recent case, as Governor Mauricio Kuri González struck down the Gender Identity Law approved on April 30 by the state Congress, considering that its content represents a risk to the development of children and adolescents.
The decision was announced through a message shared on social media, where the mandate holder established a stance against the reform that sought to allow the modification of name and gender on birth certificates through an administrative procedure.
“I am vetoing the so-called Gender Identity Law, in accordance with my constitutional powers. This law, driven by the radical left, allows children and adolescents to change their sex on their birth certificate based on their self-perception. It is an ideological issue that they want to impose on our society. And no, I am not going to allow it,” he asserted. The head of the Executive Branch maintained that the veto responds to his responsibility to protect Querétaro families, particularly minors, whom he placed as a priority of his administration. “That is my conviction and that is my obligation. I received a mandate from society to protect Querétaro families and I am going to fulfill it (…) Do not mess with our children. Let’s think about those we must care for the most,” he expressed.
Paused initiatives
In Chiapas, legally changing one’s name and gender on official documents remains a complex process for individuals who must resort to lawsuits and injunctions (amparos) due to the lack of a gender identity law. This situation, which has been stalled in the local Congress for more than ten years, represents a serious backlog in human rights, alert LGBT+ collectives.
Meanwhile, in the state of Tabasco, members of the LGBT+ community issued a statement last Tuesday, May 19, to request immediate compliance with the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) regarding the recognition of sexual and gender identity. According to the demonstrators, this legal struggle does not seek to obtain special concessions, but rather the harmonization of basic civil rights that already operate in a large part of the Republic.
In Tamaulipas, various collectives have demanded that the Gender Identity Law be approved without political overtones and brought immediately to a vote in the local Congress; currently, there are more than 650 trans people who have resorted to injunctions (amparos) to enforce their rights. The president of the organization Tamaulipas Diversidad VHIDA Trans, Ana Karen López Quintana, commented that there are currently two initiatives under analysis: the one presented by Congresswoman Cynthia Lizabeth Jaime Castillo, supported by representatives of the trans community, and a second proposal promoted by Congresswoman Lucero Deosdady Martínez López, through the Gender Equity and Diversity Commission.
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For its part, in the state of Durango, activists have denounced that the absence of a Gender Identity Law represents a scenario of violence, discrimination, and violation of human rights for trans and non-binary people.
Stance of the SCJN
The Supreme Court has established that gender identity is a fundamental human right protected by the Constitution. In December 2025, the Court declared invalid a provision of the Civil Code of Campeche that required having a voting credential to be able to request a new birth certificate for the recognition of self-perceived gender identity and name change. The Plenary concluded that this requirement imposed an unjustified barrier that discriminatorily excluded children and adolescents, whose right to live according to their identity cannot depend on a document to which, due to their age, they cannot access. According to the organization, this restriction violated their rights to equality and non-discrimination, the free development of personality, and gender identity, by using age as a suspect category without a valid constitutional justification. The Court highlighted that gender identity forms part of the most intimate sphere of the person and is linked to their dignity and autonomy, meaning the State has the obligation to regulate accessible and safe procedures so that all people, including children and adolescents, can adapt their identity documents according to their self-perceived identity.
The controversy left behind by the Miss Universe 2025 final continues to cause repercussions within the world of beauty pageants. Now, the Miss France organization has announced that it will not participate in Miss Universe 2026, a decision that surprised followers of the international pageant, especially since France has historically been one of the countries with the greatest presence in this type of competition.
The news was confirmed by the French organization itself through a statement shared on its social media, where it explained that its departure responds to differences with the recent evolution and direction of the international pageant, particularly after the problems recorded during the 2025 edition.
“The Miss France Company announces its decision not to participate in the Miss Universe 2026 pageant,” can be read in the statement that Miss Universe France shared on its Instagram stories. This time France will not have a representative like a year ago due to the direction the beauty pageant has taken.
Miss France explains why it is withdrawing
In the message, the French organization explained that its decision seeks to remain faithful to the values and identity of the national pageant, which, as they pointed out, no longer fully coincide with the path Miss Universe has taken.
In their writing, they express that the decision reflects “the desire to remain faithful to the identity, commitments, and values of the Miss France pageant, which, at this moment, no longer align with the recent evolution and direction of the international pageant, especially after the numerous problems that arose during the 2025 edition.”
The organization also left open the possibility of returning in the future, depending on how the international pageant evolves over the coming months.
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They add that the decision applies to the next pageant, right now as countries are starting to reveal their official representatives. And they note: “The Miss France Company will remain attentive to future developments of the pageant and hopes to participate again soon.”
France recognizes the importance of Miss Universe
Although Miss France decided to withdraw from the 2026 edition, its president Frédéric Gilbert recognized that participating in Miss Universe has for years been an important showcase to present the country to the world. “It has always been a milestone and a magnificent opportunity to show France at an international level. However, our responsibility is to guarantee fidelity and integrity to our values and to the identity of the Miss France pageant. The decision made today reflects this commitment. We will remain attentive to future developments.” With these words, the organization made it clear that the departure does not necessarily represent a definitive breakup, but rather a pause in the face of current disagreements with the direction of the global pageant.
Miss Universe responds and announces a new chapter
Following Miss France’s announcement, the Miss Universe Organization reacted with a statement in which it assured that the country will indeed have a new phase within the pageant, although now under the direct supervision of the international organization.
The international organization explained that it will take control of the platform in France as part of its global expansion and alignment strategy. “As part of its continuous global evolution, the Organization will directly supervise and promote the platform in France, reinforcing its commitment to excellence, professionalism, and the international vision that defines the Miss Universe brand worldwide.” Furthermore, it added that this new direction seeks to strengthen the French presence on the international stage and keep the opportunity open for future representatives of the country.
“This new direction marks an exciting step toward strengthening the visibility, development, and global alignment of Miss Universe France as it continues to empower the next generation of women on the international stage.”
Did Mexico have anything to do with it?
Although various users on social media linked France’s departure to the controversy experienced during Miss Universe 2025, the French organization did not directly point to Mexico as responsible for its decision. What it did make clear is that its withdrawal is due to the conflicts and disagreements generated after the past edition, as well as a difference in values with the new direction of the pageant.
For now, the Miss Universe Organization has already advanced that it will seek to keep France’s presence active in Miss Universe 2026, meaning the case could still have new chapters before the final in Puerto Rico.
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Source: record
