Hundreds of people marched in Lima, Peru, to ask for a law change. This law says transgender people are mentally ill to get health care. They want to be seen as who they truly are, not as sick.
They carried signs saying “My life is freedom, not a disorder” and “No diversity with Dina.” This is about President Dina Boluarte’s government. They’re against a new law that doesn’t respect their rights.
This law is against what the World Health Organization says. The WHO says being transgender isn’t a mental illness. Activists say this law takes away their basic rights and dignity.
Peru doesn’t protect LGBTQ+ people well. There’s no easy way for transgender people to change their ID. Same-sex marriage is also banned. This makes people angry and they’re demanding change.
Peru’s Controversial Gender Identity Law
Peru’s government has made a worrying move. They’ve labeled transgender identities as a mental illness. This has caused a lot of anger among LGBTQ+ supporters. They see it as a clear sign of transphobia.
The law was made public on May 10th. It puts transgender people under the Essential Health Insurance Plan. This means they are seen as having a mental health issue.
Law Classifies Transgender as Mental Illness
This law says transgender people are mentally ill. This is a step backward. In 2019, the World Health Organization changed its views. They said being transgender isn’t a mental illness.
But Peru’s government ignored this advice. They keep spreading harmful ideas about transgender people.
Activists Voice Opposition to Transphobic Law
Over 60 LGBTQ+ groups in Peru protested on May 17th. They were showing their dislike for the law. Gianna Camacho spoke for the Coordinacion Nacional LGTBIQ+. She said the law is “transphobic and offensive”.
The Peruvian Ministry of Health said the law helps LGBTQ+ people get better health care. But critics say it does the opposite. It makes transgender people feel more left out and less respected.
The debate over Peru’s gender identity law shows we need to fight for LGBTQ+ rights more. It’s important to listen to transgender people and their supporters. We must work towards equality and acceptance.
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Peru
In Peru, after a law made transgender identities mental illnesses, Lima’s streets saw protests. About 500 people showed up, holding signs that said “No more stigmas” and “My identity is not a disease.” They went to the health ministry’s offices, asking for the law to be changed. This showed strong LGBTQ+ rights activism in Peru.
The Peru protests and Lima demonstrations showed how people are against the government’s new law. Activists and supporters came together, fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. They want to stop the law that calls transgender people mentally ill.
“The law is a blatant violation of our basic human rights. We will not rest until it is repealed, and the dignity of the transgender community is fully recognized,” declared one of the protest organizers.
The Peru protests are a big call for LGBTQ+ rights. They show how people are against the new law. The marches in Lima show a strong stand against the government’s views on transgender people. They want a fair and accepting society.
International Day Against Homophobia Protests
The protests in Peru were part of the International Day Against Homophobia. This day has been celebrated since 2005. It marks the removal of homosexuality from the World Health Organisation’s list of mental illnesses in 1990.
More than 60 LGBTQ+ groups in Lima, Peru, joined the protest. They spoke out against a new law that sees transgender identities as mental illnesses. This law was strongly opposed by LGBTQ+ rights groups.
An Ipsos poll showed 81% of Peruvians believe transgender people face a lot of discrimination. The protesters used this day to push for the law’s repeal. They also called for more LGBTQ+ rights and respect in Peru.
“The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is a significant event that allows us to shine a spotlight on the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ activism and the fight against discrimination,” said a spokesperson for one of the participating organizations.
The decree by Peru’s Boluarte administration was seen as discriminatory and harmful. The World Health Organization changed its stance on gender identity in 2019. It moved gender-related conditions from mental health to sexual health categories. The protests in Peru aimed to bring the country in line with this new view.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is celebrated on May 17 every year. The protests in Peru showed the country’s support for LGBTQ+ rights. They also challenged laws that discriminate against transgender people.
Peru Mental Illnesses: Health Ministry’s Defense
The Peruvian Health Ministry has spoken out about the controversy over transgender identities being seen as mental illnesses. They say the change in law is to help the LGBTQ+ community more. They want to make sure LGBTQ+ people get better health care.
The ministry said the new law is about giving better health services to LGBTQ+ people. “The ministry stands by respecting everyone’s dignity and rights,” they said. They want to make sure LGBTQ+ people are treated with respect and care.
But, LGBTQ+ supporters are still upset. Over 60 groups protested in Lima, on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. They want the law changed.
Activist Gianna Camacho wants the law changed. She says transgender identities shouldn’t be seen as mental illnesses. “Human Rights Watch calls it ‘profoundly regressive’,” she said. There’s worry it could lead to harmful conversion therapy.
The world is watching Peru’s actions. U.S. Representative Robert Garcia wants to work with the State Department to help LGBTQ+ Peruvians. The ministry’s efforts to improve LGBTQ+ health care are being questioned. People are asking for a kinder approach to gender identity and expression.
LGBTQ+ Rights Advocacy in Peru
Peru’s government has made a move that has upset LGBTQ+ rights supporters. They say transgender identities are mental illnesses. Gahela Cari Contreras, an activist, strongly disagrees. She says, “Gender identities are not mental illnesses. We won’t let them.”
Protesters say the change in health rules was not needed. They point out that the old rules already gave everyone access to mental health care. They want legal changes and equality for LGBTQ+ people in Peru.
Calls for Legal Reform and Gender Equality
Human rights groups and activists in Peru are upset with the government’s decision. They say calling transgender identities mental illnesses could lead to harmful “conversion practices.” This could make mental health problems worse for LGBTQ+ people.
Over 60 LGBTQ groups in Peru showed up to protest the new law. They gathered at the Health Ministry in Lima. This was on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, May 17.
The Health Ministry says it doesn’t see LGBTQ+ identities as illnesses, even with the decree still in effect. But, activists and groups keep pushing for legal changes. They want policies that protect LGBTQ+ rights and ensure equality in Peru.
“Gender identities are no longer considered pathologies. We’re not going to let them.”
– Gahela Cari Contreras, Peruvian Activist
Transgender Discrimination and Legal Status
In Peru, transgender people face big challenges because the country doesn’t allow same-sex marriage. This is due to conservative governments and the strong influence of Catholic and evangelical churches. These factors have slowed down LGBTQ+ rights progress and increased transgender discrimination.
The Peruvian government has made a worrying move. It now sees transgender people as “mentally ill.” Conditions like “transsexualism” and “gender identity disorders in childhood” are now seen as mental illnesses. This has sparked a lot of criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and legal experts. They call it a step back that goes against the rights of transgender people.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has changed its view. In 2022, it stopped seeing transgender identities as mental health issues. But Peru is going the other way, which could make things harder for transgender people there.
- In Peru, trans, intersex, and non-binary people were officially seen as “mentally ill” by a presidential decree on May 10, 2024.
- The decree said “transsexualism” and “gender identity disorders in childhood” are mental illnesses.
- Between 2012 and 2021, at least 88 LGBTQ+ people were killed in Peru because of discrimination. But, there were no laws to punish hate crimes, bringing no justice to the victims.
People protesting see this new law as a big step back. It’s seen as a way to keep the LGBTQ+ community from moving forward in Peru. LGBTQ+ activists and legal experts in Peru are fighting for the law to be changed. They want to stop transgender identities from being seen as mental illnesses and protect everyone’s right to be different.
The situation in Peru shows how hard it is for LGBTQ+ rights to get support. It highlights the need for legal changes to protect transgender individuals and fight transgender discrimination. The world and human rights groups are calling for the law to be changed. They want policies that respect everyone’s dignity and equality, no matter their gender identity or expression.
Human Rights Concerns and Civil Rights Movements
People in Peru are speaking out against a law that sees transgender identities as mental illnesses. They want changes in the law and more rights for the LGBTQ+ community. The movement is fighting against deep discrimination and inequality.
Recent stats show a troubling human rights picture in Peru. From December 2022 to February 2023, 49 civilians died in protests. Most of these deaths happened in the southern highlands, in Puno and Ayacucho.
Peru’s prisons are also a big worry, holding over 91,000 prisoners in places meant for 41,000. The Miguel Castro Castro Penitentiary is way over capacity. Issues like long pretrial detention and corruption make things worse.
Civil rights groups in Peru are focusing on these issues. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Peru found many human rights abuses during a 20-year conflict. These included forced disappearances and torture by officials.
Protesters and LGBTQ+ advocates are pushing for justice and equality. They want legal changes and more rights. As they keep fighting, they hope for a better future for everyone in Peru.
Reactions from Medical Experts and Institutions
Peru’s new law that sees transgender identities as mental illnesses has sparked strong reactions. Medical experts and health institutions are calling for a change. They want the law changed right away.
Doctors Argue for Law Amendment
Pedro Riega Lopez, a top doctor in Peru, says the law needs to be updated. He believes transgender identities shouldn’t be seen as mental disorders. “We don’t need to include old, wrong diagnoses in health plans,” he said.
Big medical groups like the Peruvian Medical Association also want this law changed. They say it spreads harmful ideas and hurts efforts to help the LGBTQ+ community in Peru.
“This law is a step backwards in our understanding of gender identity and expression. It is our responsibility as healthcare professionals to advocate for the rights and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.”
Doctors’ opinions are important. They point out the need for Peru to follow the latest science and global standards on transgender issues.
As more people call for a change, experts and health groups are making their voices heard. They stress the need to listen to medical experts, health institutions, and calls for law amendment. This is to protect the rights and dignity of Peru’s transgender community.
Global Solidarity with Peruvian Protesters
The fight for global support for Peruvian protesters against a law that sees transgender identities as mental illnesses is growing. People around the world are showing their support. This includes demonstrations in Ecuador.
Demonstrations Outside Peruvian Embassy in Ecuador
Dozens of LGBTQ+ rights defenders in Ecuador marched to the Peruvian embassy in Quito. They sat down outside, holding flags and signs. These signs said “being trans is not a disease.” This showed strong international LGBTQ+ solidarity.
| Protest Activity in Peru (Dec 2022 – Mar 2023) | Number |
|---|---|
| Protests | 1,327 |
| Mobilizations | 882 |
| Shutdowns | 240 |
| Rallies and Sit-ins | 195 |
| Vigils | 10 |
| Peace Marches | 60 |
These actions, in Peru and around the world, show strong global support for Peruvian protesters. They are fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition. The Peruvian government is under pressure to change the law.
The Road Ahead for LGBTQ+ Rights in Peru
LGBTQ+ advocates in Peru face a tough fight for their rights. They’ve been up against conservative governments and religious groups. But, their recent protests and support from around the world show they won’t give up.
Even after the government made transgender identities seem like mental illnesses, the LGBTQ+ community in Peru is not giving up. They’re inspired by global support and the big protests. They know it’s hard, but they’re ready to keep fighting for equality.
The LGBTQ+ community and their supporters must keep pushing for legal changes. They’ll need to keep raising awareness, working with human rights groups, and talking to lawmakers. If they can do this, they might just win the rights and respect they deserve.