More than 5 million people identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community in new survey

This week Mexico released the results of its first national survey on sexual diversity. More than 5 million people identified as members LGBTQ community. That's one in every 20 people in Mexico over the age of 15.

Mexico's national statistics agency (INEGI) carried out its first comprehensive census on sexual and gender diversity last year.

The survey looked to define the extent, distribution and experiences of the country’s LGBTQ community. And that kind of demographic information is an important step, says Maria Alatorre with the Sonoran nonprofit DiverCiudad A.C.

"We're here, and look, there are five million of us," she said. "We are 5 million people demanding the policies we deserve. Five million people demanding the programs we need."

There are improvements that need to be made to the survey as well, she said, including making it more intersectional and giving a greater attention to transgender, nonbinary and other gender nonconforming people.

Still, she said it brings awareness to the reality of gender and sexual diversity in Mexico and is one more step toward recognizing and respecting people of all identities.