“Mi mayor venganza es que un día seremos felices”: Adversity and Resilience in the Stories of Transgender Activist Kenya Cuevas

Abstract

Kenya Cuevas is a transgender woman, social advocate, and human rights activist, who has garnered numerous recognitions and awards, such as the Mexico City Honors on Human Rights and in 2021 was recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the most powerful women in the country. However, she has faced controversy in her battle against hegemonic structures in Mexican society. This study employs a narrative analysis framework to analyze a set of Kenya’s narratives, which aims to portray the recognition of her gender identity within a Mexican context. The findings illustrate the lack of strong social recognition for transgender identity in Mexico and emphasize the need for society to raise awareness about the importance of acknowledging diverse gender expressions.