Protests in Peru against classification of gender identities as ‘mental illness’

18 May 2024, 09:24

A member of the LGBTQ+ community holds up a sign with a message that reads 'Nothing to cure', during a protest in Lima, Peru
Peru LGTB+ Protest. Picture: PA

Demonstrations took place outside the health ministry in Peru’s capital city, Lima, and the Peruvian Embassy in Ecuador’s capital, Quito.

Protesters in Peru are demanding that the government repeals a decree characterising seven gender identities, including transgenderism, as “mental illnesses”.

Demonstrators gathered in front of the health ministry in Peru’s capital city, Lima, and the Peruvian Embassy in Ecuador’s capital, Quito.

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

In Lima, hundreds protested against last week’s decree by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte’s administration. The Ministry of Health said the action would guarantee “comprehensive mental health care coverage” to those affiliated with public, private or mixed health plans.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community protesting in Peru
Members of the LGBTQ+ community protested outside Peru’s Health Ministry (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Peru does not recognise same-sex marriage.

Demonstrators carried signs with a variety of messages including “My life is freedom, not a disorder”, “Health is not legislated in the past”, “The disease is you, transphobia kills” and “No diversity with Dina”.

Several people beat on drums and others chanted: “Trans people are love.”

“We have had conservative governments for many years. We had military governments, then right-wing governments linked to Catholic and evangelical churches, so the position regarding us they have revived again,” said Gia Cruzado, a transgender woman and writer.

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

A protester argues with a police officer in Quito, Ecuador
A protester argues with a police officer in Quito, Ecuador (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

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, it is a human condition”.

In Ecuador, dozens of members of a collective defending the rights of the LGBTQ+ community marched to Peru’s embassy. They staged a sit-in outside while waving flags and signs declaring that “being trans is not a disease”.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Donald Trump has been accused of 'appeasement'

Ukraine’s future at stake as world leaders gather in Munich - with Trump accused of ‘appeasing’ Putin

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist reveals list of countries that face being hit by huge 'city killer' asteroid the size of Big Ben

This illustrative image shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and United States President Donald Trump (right).

Donald Trump is 'setting preconditions for withdrawing from NATO', his former advisor tells LBC

Naya Rivera

Glee star Naya Rivera's heartbreaking final words to her son before she drowned revealed

The young man was swallowed by a whale

Shocking moment whale swallows kayaker whole before spitting him back out

Deise Moura has been arrested on suspicion of killing her relatives with a poisonous Christmas cake

Woman accused of murder after 'Christmas cake poisoning' that killed three is found dead in prison cell

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour

Mystery deepens over British couple found dead in France as wife 'made appointments' before deaths

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attacks, block Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv during a protest calling for the release of all hostages

Hamas backs down over Israeli hostage deal threat amid fears ceasefire will collapse

The largest of the Chagos islands, Diego Garcia, the site of a joint military facility of the United Kingdom and the United States

US makes last-ditch intervention in Chagos islands negotiations amid concerns China will benefit from deal

Police at the scene after the car crashed into protesters

Afghan asylum seeker arrested after car ploughs into crowd leaving dozens of people injured including children

Emergency services work near the scene of an explosion at a bar where a grenade was thrown, in Grenoble, on February 12, 2025.

At least 12 injured after man wielding assault rifle throws grenade into bar

Italian F1 Grand Prix - Previews

Nightclub bouncer behind £12m plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets jailed

Josef Fritzl

Incest monster Josef Fritzl could walk free from prison next year - and expects 'cheering crowds' to greet him

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, shakes hands with Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey prior to a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb.

Ukraine's NATO membership plans 'unrealistic' says US - as defence secretary claims US troops won't be peacekeepers

Lucy Harrison

British woman, 23, dies after being shot dead at dad's US house as 'utterly heartbroken' family pays tribute

An asteroid could hit earth in 2036.

NASA makes 'emergency' decision over asteroid the size of Big Ben that could strike Earth