Peru officially declares transgender, nonbinary, intersex people as ‘mentally ill’

On May 10th, the President of Peru signed a decree classifying transgender, non-binary, and intersex individuals as having mental health conditions, while offering free mental health care.

The decree lists specific conditions, including transsexualism and gender identity disorder, as mental illnesses.

This decision came just before the 34th anniversary of the World Health Organization’s removal of homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases.

The Peruvian health ministry stated that the goal is to “guarantee full coverage of medical attention for mental health” for the trans population, but clarified that the ruling does not require conversion therapy.

In a later statement, the ministry emphasized that gender and sexual diversity are not diseases and expressed respect for gender identities and rejection of stigmatization.

They reiterated that sexual orientation and gender identity do not constitute a physical or mental health disorder and should not be subjected to treatment or conversion therapies.

The ministry updated the Essential Health Insurance Plan (PEAS) to ensure comprehensive mental health interventions, aiming to protect the right to health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities.

This move has sparked controversy, with some seeing it as a step backward for LGBTQ+ rights in Peru.