The Peruvian government amended its laws, now classifying transgender, nonbinary, and intersex identities as mental illnesses.
Peru has officially amended its laws to classify transgender, nonbinary, and intersex identities as mental illnesses, a move signed by President Dina Boluarte and critiqued by global LGBTQ+ advocates. The health ministry asserts that this will not lead to conversion therapy.
President Dina Boluarte endorsed the legislation last week, which has sparked significant controversy.
According to Peru’s health minister, the revised law aims to “guarantee full coverage of medical attention for mental health” for transgender individuals. Despite these claims, the health ministry has assured that the law will not subject trans individuals to conversion therapy.
The legislative change has provoked outrage among LGBTQ+ advocacy groups globally. Notably, the director of Peru’s LGBTQ+ pride festival, OutFest, has criticized the move.
Trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who experienced significant online backlash last year following a Bud Light campaign, has yet to comment on the recent changes in Peruvian law.
