Peru Classifies Transgender Identity as Mental Illness

New decree signed by President Boluarte sparks backlash from LGBTQ+ activists and human rights organizations.

The decree includes transsexualism, dual-role transvestism, and other gender identity disorders in the Essential Health Insurance Plan as mental illnesses.
The Peruvian government claims the classification aims to ensure full mental health coverage for affected individuals.
LGBTQ+ groups argue the move reinforces stigma and discrimination, potentially leading to harmful practices like conversion therapy.
Human Rights Watch and other organizations criticize the decree for using outdated classifications replaced by the WHO in 2019.
Peru's Ministry of Health insists the policy is intended to support mental health care without forcing conversion therapy.