Peru's LGBTQ advocates held protests in the capital Lima last week after the Ministry of Health issued a new law that classifies transgender people as having “mental health problems.”
The Supreme Decree, signed by Peruvian President Dina Bolarte and promulgated on May 10, updates the list of mental health conditions covered by the Ministry of Health, including “transsexualism,” “gender identity Added “Disability” and “Crossdressing”.
In 2019, the World Health Organization redefined gender identity-related health terminology, moving the condition of “gender nonconformity” from being defined as a “mental and behavioral disorder” to the category of “conditions related to sexual health.” I moved it to.
“This reflects current knowledge that trans-related and gender diverse identities are not conditions of mental ill-health, and labeling them as such can cause significant prejudice.” Guidance is written.
On May 11, Peru's Ministry of Health issued a statement claiming that the update is aimed at ensuring comprehensive mental health interventions.
“The Ministry endorses the position that gender and sexual diversity is not a disease,” it said. “Within this framework, we express our respect for gender identity and our rejection of prejudice against sexual diversity in this country.”
Nevertheless, the ministry reiterated that the renewal of the national essential health insurance scheme remains in effect.
After the statement was issued, more than 60 national LGBTQ organizations staged a protest in front of the ministry's headquarters in Lima on Friday.
The protests coincided with the International Day Against Homosexuality, Transphobia and Biphobia, which is celebrated on May 17 every year.
In a joint statement, the two groups said the legislation perpetuates an “outdated vision” of transgender people as targets of aggression.
“The adoption of such a law represents a serious setback in terms of the recognition of our rights and dignity as individuals,” the statement continued. “This measure not only reflects a lack of understanding and respect for sexual and gender diversity, but also has devastating consequences for our lives.”
Recommendation
Peru's transfeminist organization Transformers called on the ministry to reconsider the decree and “adopt measures that respect and promote inclusive public policies.”
“This is not only a setback in terms of recognition of human rights and diversity, but also opens the door to abnormal practices such as conversion therapy,” Collective Pride March, another Lima-based rights group, said in a statement. It's also something that opens things up.” “Gender identity is not a disease, it is part of human diversity and must be respected and protected as such.”
In a statement, the Ministry of Health clarified that sexual orientation and gender identity are not health disorders and individuals should not undergo treatment such as conversion therapy.
On Wednesday, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) said the measure would “set Peru back” and that he would work directly with the State Department to “stop this direct attack on LGBTQ+ Peruvians.”
“As a gay Peruvian-American and the first Peruvian-American to serve in Congress, I have spoken out against the Bolarte administration and the right wing for attacking transgender and intersex Peruvians and labeling them as 'mentally ill.' It is clear that Congress' decision is discriminatory, dangerous, 'and embarrassing,' he said.
In the United States, the American Psychiatric Association has been using the term “gender dysphoria” in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders since 2013, replacing “gender identity disorder”; It focuses on the suffering associated with the experiences of transgender people. identity itself.
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