Controversy over gender identity has angered communities beyond North Carolina, where a controversial law requires people to use the bathroom of their assigned sex at birth.
A recent hot topic in the US, Canada, and global news — the law sparked debate and discussion on transgender rights around the world. For many cultures, however, the idea of non-binary genders — someone who doesn’t identify strictly male or female —the concept is not as hard to grasp.
Indigenous cultures in regions from Oaxaca State, Mexico to Samoa and Madagascar have accepted the idea of the “third gender” for centuries. In the small town of Juchitán de Zaragoza in southern Oaxaca State, Mexico, live the muxes — people born in a male’s body but who identify as neither female nor male. Muxes are part of ancient culture and are well-known in the town and culture. Traditionally muxes would be admired for their talent in embroidery, hairstyling, cooking, and craftiwork. However, Naomy Mendez Romero, who shared photograph and her story with the New York Times, is an industrial engineer — challenging limits on muxes by entering a career path more often viewed as male.

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