New Calexico mayor receives controversy over social media
CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The new mayor of Calexico has received negative and positive comments on social media for identifying as transgender.
Raúl Ureña was appointed the new mayor of Calexico on Wednesday, March 1, and over the weekend many locals took to social media disagreeing with the decision.
Some comments were transphobic in nature as Ureña is the first transgender person to serve as Mayor of Calexico.
"There has been a lot of homophobia and transphobia throughout the last two to three years that I have been just a city council person or even before I was transgender, when I was just a gay person," said said Mayor of Calexico Raúl Ureña.
The 'Calexico Needs Change' organization sent out a statement regarding the transphobic comments circulating on social media saying "we stand with our trans community."
Former Mayor Maritza Huerta says Ureña's focus should be on other things.
“The drama that is going around about his decisions... personal decisions really have nothing to do with our municipality and that if we can actually put more energy into solving the cities business and the huge amount of problems that the city has," said Former Mayor Maritza Huerta.
Ureña claims receiving threats but says the focus is serving the community.
“The town is free... but quite frankly they are a couple hateful voices but at the end of the day the city of Calexico in its heart has changed," explained Ureña.
Ureña will serve as mayor for 11 months and wants to create a space where everyone is accepted for who they are.
