Protesters gather in Peru against a decree that classifies seven gender identities as ‘mental illness’

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Sexual diversity activists protested Friday in Peru’s capital in front of the Health Ministry to demand that the government revoke a decree that characterizes seven gender identities, including transgenderism, as “mental illnesses.”

Protesters also gathered outside the Peruvian embassy in Ecuador’s capital, Quito.

The demonstrations coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia, which has been observed since 2005 to mark May 17, 1990, when homosexuality – then considered a mental illness – was removed from the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases.

In Lima, hundreds protested against last week’s decree by President Dina Boluarte’s government. The Ministry of Health said the move would ensure “comprehensive mental health coverage” for those enrolled in public, private or blended health care plans.

Peru does not recognize same-sex marriage.

Protesters carried signs with a variety of messages, including “My life is freedom, not a disorder,” “Health has not been legislated in the past,” “You are the disease, transphobia kills” and “No diversity at Dina.”

Several people beat drums and others chanted, “Transgender people are love.”

‘We have had conservative governments for years. We had military governments, then right-wing governments linked to Catholic and evangelical churches, so the position against us has been revived,” said Gia Cruzado, a transgender woman and writer.

“The decree is a step backwards and a way to continue closing the doors to progress for our community,” Cruzado said.

Gahela Cari, a transgender woman who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2021, said that “being gay, lesbian, non-binary or bisexual is not a disease, but a human condition.”

In Ecuador, dozens of members of a collective defending the rights of the LGTBQ+ community marched on the Peruvian embassy. They staged a sit-in outside while waving flags and signing signs declaring that “being transgender is not a disease.”