The Peruvian government has officially categorised trans and intersex people as “mentally ill”.
The health ministry said the decree was the only way Peru’s public health services could “guarantee full coverage of medical attention for mental health.”
The move has provoked outrage in a society where gender and LGBT rights have been under sustained assault in recent years and where there are high levels of homophobic, transphobic and gender violence.
In one recent move, lawmakers banned references to gender equality from school textbooks. That has gutted classes intended to prevent domestic assault and femicides.
Health Minister César Vásquez has failed to comment on the row. Instead, he has been defending President Dina Boluarte, who is under investigation for her unexplained acquisition of expensive jewelry, including a diamond-encrusted Cartier bracelet valued at £40,000.