More than 30 visual artists, translators, and users of indigenous languages of Mexico built together with UNESCO, Metalingua, and Fundación Edifícate the 2026 edition of the multilingual and multisensory exhibition Nombrar el Orgullo (Naming Pride), which was inaugurated at the cultural center “El Rule” — in Mexico City — and will remain on display until June 6, 2026.
NeO 2026 comprises 18 pieces created by 18 LGBTIQ+ artists and artists from indigenous peoples of Mexico, illustrating words used in national indigenous languages and in non-conventional Spanish to name people of sexual and gender diversity, as well as the meanings these identities hold within their cultures.
The exhibition offers a linguistic and cultural journey that anyone can enjoy, thanks to its theoretical and methodological basis developed by Metalingua: written and audio translations in 14 indigenous languages, and labels providing information about each language, ensuring a truly multilingual and accessible experience. This is one of Mexico’s responses to the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022–2032 and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.
“Situating meanings is a double act of care: on one hand, I take care of the meanings I reproduce; on the other, I care for the person I relate to, by not imposing meanings that seek to generalize,” said Elena Ibañez, linguist and co-founder of Metalingua.
In 2024, UNESCO and Metalingua launched an open call seeking words in indigenous languages to name people of sexual and gender diversity. Users of indigenous languages evaluated 34 linguistic and cultural forms and selected the first group of words.
Lisandro González Carrillo — educator, founder of the collective Las Nativitas, and a member of the Wixárika people from Guadalupe Ocotán, La Yesca, Nayarit — took part in the word selection process and in the inauguration, held in conjunction with the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (May 21) and the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (May 17).
Not all identities are named in our languages, but they do exist. Languages do not make us; we make our languages.
Lisandro González Carrillo, Wixárika educator and founder of the collective Las Nativitas.
Naming is a political act. While some words operate discrimination, hatred and violence, others reclaim memories and social processes of their own specific knowledge systems and cultural expressions situated in specific contexts. These contexts must be recognized to build inclusive, fairer, and peaceful societies from within diversity itself.
The body is the first territory to defend… it is important to name and share the realities of each context.
Ana Xhopa, an Oaxacan speaker of Diidxazá and urban artist who is part of the exhibition.
The NeO 2026 experience seeks to reach more gathering spaces for youth and members of indigenous peoples of Mexico, both in cities and rural areas. Metalingua invites institutions and collectives interested in supporting its national tour to write to metalingua@gmail.com
The 2026 edition of “Naming Pride” was also made possible thanks to the translations provided by the team of the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI) of the Government of Mexico, the Secretariat of Indigenous and Original Peoples, Neighborhoods and Resident Indigenous Communities (SEPI) of the Mexico City Government, and the Secretariat of Culture of Chihuahua.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/neo-multisensory-experience-rooted-linguistic-rights-and-indigenous-peoples-mexico?hub=701
