Teresa Delfín: Exploring Gender in Western Mexico

By Jamie Andrew

Gender and sexuality is remarkably fluid in a number of ways. The individual, the culture, the religion, the region of the world — all of these things deeply impact how gender is perceived and displayed. Often the most compelling insight into the wide world of gender and its interpretation is the story of one individual and how they navigate their own identity.

Such is the case with Teresa Delfín’s short documentary, Daughter, Sister, Mother. Originally from Mexico herself, Delfín has spent years as an anthropologist, researcher, and filmmaker in Western coastal Mexico exploring, learning from, and making friends with the residents there. Her 10-minute film provides a glimpse into Shaky Estrada’s life, and one is immediately struck by her confidence, poise, and firm sense of self. Living primarily as a transgender woman, Shaky’s gender identity is organic as she navigates different social spaces throughout the day (at work, at home, with friends, in relationships).

It’s clear that Teresa and Shaky are close; Shaky and her family appear incredibly natural in their conversations and actions on camera. This allows the viewer to observe a very real, intimate sense of what their life is like, their rapport with each other, and how Shaky is embraced and supported by her loved ones. This type of insight does the powerful and important work of crushing stereotypes and makes the viewer think about the complexity of not only individual gender and sexuality, but also regional and cultural perceptions of it as well.

The complete Global Learning Library video includes the full 10-minute documentary, along with a thoughtful Q&A discussion with graduate students from Emory University. It can be accessed in both the Global Sustainability and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Member Spaces. Click here to for our Membership page, and check out the trailer below for a preview!