Mexico City Congress Considers ‘Tattoo and Body Modification Culture Day’ to Combat Discrimination
Mexico City, September 22, 2026 – The Mexico City Congress is currently reviewing a proposal to establish July 17 of each year as the ‘Day of Tattoo and Other Body Modification Culture in Mexico City’. This initiative, presented by Deputy Jannete Elizabeth Guerrero Maya of the Labor Party (PT), aims to increase the visibility of these cultural expressions, foster respect for diversity, and combat discrimination against individuals with tattoos or body modifications.
During a session at the Legislative Precinct of Donceles, Deputy Guerrero Maya emphasized the importance of the proposal, stating, “It all has to do with the free development of personality. That is, with the possibility of building our own identity and making decisions about our lives and our bodies. It also has to do with freedom of expression because we express ourselves with words, with ideas, with images, and with our own appearance.”
Promoting Cultural Recognition and Combating Prejudice
The core objective of the proposed legislation is to ensure that tattoos and body modifications are recognized for their cultural and artistic significance within society. Deputy Guerrero Maya highlighted that, despite their growing popularity, individuals with such modifications often face prejudice and judgment.
“Talking about tattoos is talking about culture, art, memory, and identity. For many people, they are a way of telling their story, of remembering someone, of expressing their convictions, or simply of deciding how they want to look,” she explained. The deputy acknowledged that biases still exist, leading to individuals being judged solely on their appearance rather than their capabilities.
The establishment of a dedicated day would create platforms for discussing the cultural and artistic value of these practices, recognize those who choose to have tattoos, and uphold their rights. “Let us advance in the construction of a city and a country where appearance is never a barrier to exercising our rights; where dignity does not depend on how we look. Dignity belongs to all of us,” stressed Guerrero Maya, who also serves as the President of the Human Rights Commission of the capital’s Congress.
Support from Civil Society and Legislative Process
The initiative has garnered support from various civil society organizations and advocates. Present at the plenary session were Geraldina González de la Vega, Head of the Council to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination of Mexico City (COPRED), and Roberto Castilla from the civil association “Mi Capacidad No Es Tatuada, Es Demostrada” (My Ability Is Not Tattooed, It Is Demonstrated), alongside members of different collectives promoting tattoos and body modifications.
Following its presentation, the initiatives were referred to the Committee on Normativity, Studies, and Parliamentary Practices for further review. One of the proposals also seeks to establish a National Day of Tattoo and Other Body Modification Culture, which would require approval from this committee and then the full legislative body. If approved, the corresponding opinion would be sent to the Senate of the Republic for its parliamentary processing, indicating a broader ambition to recognize this cultural movement nationwide.
The legislative process will involve detailed analysis and debate within the committee before potentially moving to a vote by the full Congress. The outcome of these discussions will determine whether Mexico City, and potentially the entire nation, will officially recognize and celebrate the culture of tattooing and body modifications, further promoting inclusivity and challenging societal prejudices.
Source: https://www.congresocdmx.gob.mx/comsoc-proponen-declarar-dia-cultura-tatuaje-y-otras-modificaciones-corporales-ciudad-mexico-7890-1.html
