Las Autenticas are the Muxes of Juchitan, a town of 70,000 situated just inland from Laguna Superior, on the west coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. The Muxes are the splendid queens of the Isthmus, where by tradition they have been seen as a third gender since before the Spanish ever set foot in Mexico. Perhaps it's not surprising that transgender and gay lifestyles are accepted in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a traditionally matriarchial society.

The Muxe celebrations are called Velas, and this was the big one, where this year's queen would be crowned. As I looked around the grounds (an outdoor venue with three stages), I was delighted and amazed with what I saw - the Muxes of Juchitan in their traditional dress, other Muxes in gowns, party dresses and priceless princess/hooker outfits, and the people of Juchitan: gorgeous women of all ages, dressed to the nines, likewise the men in their stylish white guayabera shirts and dark pants, others in jeans and sneakers.

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