The Peruvian government has officially classified transgender and intersex individuals as “mentally ill,” according to reports from The Telegraph. This decision, announced by the health ministry, has ignited widespread criticism and raised concerns about the treatment of LGBTQ individuals in the country.
Health Minister César Vásquez has not directly addressed the controversy surrounding the decree but has defended President Dina Boluarte, who is currently under investigation for the unexplained acquisition of expensive jewelry. The president’s brother, Nicanor Boluarte, was also recently arrested for allegedly selling senior government positions, adding to the administration’s troubles.
In response to the scandal, President Boluarte took drastic measures, including dismantling an elite anti-corruption police unit and attempting to suppress official statistics revealing an increase in poverty levels. These actions have further fueled public outrage and eroded trust in the government.
The decree to classify transgender and intersex individuals as mentally ill has drawn sharp criticism from medical experts and activists. Percy Mayta-Tristán, a medical researcher at Lima’s Scientific University of the South, condemned the decision, highlighting its potential to exacerbate discrimination and harm within Peru’s conservative society.
Mayta-Tristán warned that labeling LGBTQ individuals as mentally ill could facilitate harmful practices like conversion therapy, perpetuating the marginalization of an already vulnerable community. The decree not only undermines efforts to promote inclusivity and equality but also poses serious risks to the well-being of transgender and intersex individuals in Peru.
