Peru’s government, led by President Dina Boluarte, issued a decree that officially categorizes “transsexualism, dual-role transvestism, gender identity disorder in childhood, other gender identity disorders and fetishistic transvestism” as mental illnesses.
Peru has officially classified transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people as ‘mentally ill’ by issuing a presidential decree that categorizes “transsexualism, dual-role transvestism, gender identity disorder in childhood, other gender identity disorders and fetishistic transvestism” as mental illnesses.[1][2][3] This decree, signed by President Dina Boluarte, aims to provide free mental health coverage for these groups under the country’s public health insurance plan.[1][3]
However, this decision has faced widespread criticism and protests from LGBTQ+ rights groups and activists in Peru and internationally.[4][5] They argue that it perpetuates stigma, discrimination, and pathologization of gender identities, which could undermine efforts to improve legal protections and rights for the LGBTQ+ community in Peru.[4] The decree contradicts the World Health Organization’s stance, which removed transgender identities from its list of mental disorders in 2019.[4]
While the Peruvian health ministry stated that the decree does not mean LGBTQ+ individuals will be forced into conversion therapies,[1] human rights advocates have expressed concerns that officially labeling them as “mentally ill” could legitimize and enable such harmful practices.[4] Protesters have rallied against the decree, carrying signs like “My life is freedom, not a disorder” and “The disease is you, transphobia kills.”[5]
Human Rights Watch condemned the decree as “profoundly regressive” and urged Peru to discard it, consult with LGBTQ+ organizations, and implement the WHO’s updated classification regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.[4]
Citations:
[1] https://www.timesnownews.com/world/peru-classifies-transgender-nonbinary-people-as-mentally-ill-offers-free-medical-coverage-article-110157419
[2] https://en.royanews.tv/news/51371/2024-05-16
[3] https://nypost.com/2024/05/15/world-news/peru-classifies-trans-intersex-people-as-mentally-ill/
[4] https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/05/15/peru-chooses-bigotry-medical-services
[5] https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/protesters-rally-peru-decree-classifying-gender-identities-mental-110356415
The key details about this decree come from news reports and statements by human rights organizations:
- According to Human Rights Watch, the decree was signed by President Dina Boluarte, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Economy on May 10, 2024.[2] It classifies “transsexualism, dual-role transvestism, gender identity disorder in childhood, other gender identity disorders and fetishistic transvestism” as mental health conditions under Peru’s Essential Health Insurance Plan.[2]
- The decree also refers to “ego-dystonic sexual orientation” as a mental health condition.[2]
- News reports state the decree was published in the official Peruvian newspaper El Peruano, but do not provide the full text or official decree number.[3][4]
- The Peruvian health ministry claimed the intent was to facilitate medical coverage for transgender people, but human rights groups condemned it as regressive and unscientific, contradicting the WHO’s stance.[2][3][4]
So while multiple credible sources confirm the existence and content of this controversial decree, I could not find the original text published on any official Peruvian government website or portal based on these search results. The sources only cite excerpts or summarize the key points of categorizing transgender identities as “mental illnesses.”
Citations:
[1] https://www.timesnownews.com/world/peru-classifies-transgender-nonbinary-people-as-mentally-ill-offers-free-medical-coverage-article-110157419
[2] https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/05/15/peru-chooses-bigotry-medical-services
[3] https://en.royanews.tv/news/51371/2024-05-16
[4] https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257717/peru-s-government-considers-transexualism-a-mental-health-problem-what-you-need-to-know
[5] https://www.tmz.com/2024/05/15/peru-legally-classify-transgender-mental-ill-new-law-lgbtq/
Source: Midtown Tribune news