Peru Officially Classifies Transgender, Nonbinary, Intersex People As ‘Mentally Ill’

Peru Officially Classifies Transgender, Inters3x, Nonbinary People as 'Mentally Ill'

The Peruvian government's decision to classify transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people as "mentally ill" has sparked significant controversy and backlash from LGBTQ+ groups.

According to the Ministry of Health, this reclassification aims to ensure that public health services can provide comprehensive mental health care to these communities.This decision includes categorizing conditions such as "dual-role transvestitism," "fetishistic transvestism," and "other gender identity disorders" under the same mental illness umbrella.The changes will be reflected in the language of the Essential Health Insurance Plan (PEAS), effectively labeling gender diversity as a mental health disorder.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in Peru have condemned this move, viewing it as a regressive step that undermines the progress made in the recognition and protection of LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

Critics argue that such classification perpetuates stigma and discrimination against transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals, further complicating their struggle for acceptance and equality in Peruvian society.