Hundreds of protesters in Peru’s capital marched on Friday to demand the scrapping of a new law that describes transgender people, among others, as having a mental illness so they can access health benefits. The protesters reached the health ministry offices, but no clashes were reported. “We’re not going to let them.”Critics of the law have argued that its update of the country’s PEAS health regulations was unnecessary since existing rules already allowed for universal access to mental health services. In a statement released shortly after the law was promulgated, the health ministry insisted that it rejects the stigmatization of LGBTQ+ people and that the legal language simply seeks to ensure more complete health coverage. Despite the ministry’s argument, the protesters were not persuaded and some medical experts advocated for the law to be corrected via an amendment.

Source: Bueno Aires Herald May 19, 2024 11:04 UTC