LGBTQ advocates in Peru gathered in Lima last week to protest a new law from the Health Ministry that classifies transgender identities as “mental health problems.”

The supreme decree, signed by President Dina Boluarte and published on May 10, updated the ministry’s list of insurable mental health conditions to include “transexualism,” “gender identity disorders,” and “cross-dressing.”

In 2019, the World Health Organization revised its definitions regarding gender identity-related health issues, reclassifying conditions of “gender incongruence” from “mental and behavioral disorders” to “conditions related to sexual health.”

“This reflects current knowledge that trans-related and gender diverse identities are not conditions of mental ill-health, and that classifying them as such can cause enormous stigma,” the guidance states.

On May 11, the Peruvian Health Ministry issued a statement asserting that the update aims to ensure comprehensive mental health interventions.

“The ministry reaffirms its position that gender and sexual diversity are not diseases,” it declared. “In this context, we express our respect for gender identities, as well as our rejection of the stigmatization of sexual diversity in the country.”

Despite this assertion, the ministry maintained that the update to the Essential Health Insurance Plan would remain in effect.

Following the statement, a coalition of over 60 national LGBTQ organizations held a protest on Friday in front of the ministry’s headquarters in Lima.

The protest coincided with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, celebrated annually on May 17.

In a joint statement, the organizations argued that the decree perpetuates “an archaic vision” that makes transgender individuals targets of aggression.