Outrage as Peru classifies transgender, nonbinary people as “mentally ill”
Peruvian authorities have officially classified intersex and transgender people as “mentally ill” in the country’s health insurance scheme.
The presidential decree which approves the update of the Essential Health Insurance Plan was published on May 10.
According to decree, transsexualism, dual role transvestism, gender identity disorder in childhood, other gender identity disorders, gender identity disorder, egodystonic sexual orientation were all categorised as “person with mental health problem.”
The trio of President Dina Boluarte, health minister César Vásquez and minister of economy and finance, Arista Arbildo, signed the decree.
The decree has sparked outrage from LGBT community with many describing it as discriminatory.
A senior researcher, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and transgender rights programme, Cristian González Cabrera, accused Peruvian authorities of bigotry in medical services.
“The decree also further classifies prejudices against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Peru which have led to violence and discrimination against this population,” Mr Canrera said in an article published by Human Rights Watch on Wednesday.
“The Peruvian government should discard this biased and unscientific decree and aim to implement the WHO’s updated classification of diseases with respect to sexual orientation and gender identity,” he added.
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