May 5th

05-05-2006 Muxes – Authentic, Intrepid Seekers of Danger – A Documentary directed by Alejandra Islas about the Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. A lively and surprising portrait of a group of homosexuals, who defend their sexual diversity while preserving their identity as Zapotec Indians in the “queer paradise” of Juchitan, Mexico. Winner of the Audience Award at the Morelia International Film Festival, MUXES (pronounced ‘mooshays’) examines transgressive boundary-pushing within an indigenous culture that has historically embraced this “third” gender. The following was written by Bruce “Panco” Land, “On the sun-baked Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico lies the town of Juchitan, whose population of indigenous Zapotecs have for centuries warded off numerous invasions to preserve their identity. Today, Juchitan has an additional, more notorious, identity, as a ‘queer paradise’ famous for its Muxes, effeminate homosexual men whose socially defined role within the Zapotec culture pre-dates the advent of gay liberation. In this society, Muxes have traditionally filled the roles of sewing, cooking, and preparation for celebrations.”