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Today there was a protest in front of the National Congress to demand rights for the LGBT community. The demonstration was organized by local and international organizations such as Amnesty International. There was police repression at a time when Peru is regressing in terms of rights: we discussed this with LGBTI leaders.

By Esteban Marchand, from Lima

Photos: Esteban Marchand and Amnesty International 

On May 5th of this year, Peru suffered a setback in human rights. The Congress of the Republic repealed part of Legislative Decree 1323 , which protected the LGBTIQ population from hate crimes and gender-based violence by increasing penalties for aggressors and murderers.

Although a new bill to legislate on hate crimes against the LGBTIQ population, the Fujimorist bloc (which is pushing for the repeal) has made its position on the lives of minorities clear.

“The historical context in Peru has been one of invisibility, of turning its back on an important group of people, Peruvians who, because of their sexual orientation, their gender identity and their way of expressing themselves, have suffered systematic exclusion and discrimination,” Joel Jabiles, Amnesty International's campaigns and advocacy coordinator, Presentes

Jabiles indicated that what happened in the Legislative Branch has told the population "that their identity is not valid and that the violence they suffer because of it is a violence that the State does not want to recognize."

Today, a protest was held in front of the National Congress to demand rights for the LGBT community. The demonstration was organized by local and international LGBTQ+ rights organizations, including Amnesty International. There was police repression.

“A relentless fight”

Presentes spoke with three members of the LGBTIQ community about the meaning of this date that commemorates those who died as a result of transphobia and homophobia.

Gabriela Zavaleta, an activist with Matrimonio Igualitario Perú (Equal Marriage Peru), believes it is important to commemorate this day because, although there has been progress in Latin America, in Peru "the fight against homophobia and transphobia continues to be a relentless struggle."

“Not only do we have a society that is very poorly educated regarding sexual diversity, but our representatives also don't know much about the subject, and it is often from them that these discriminatory behaviors are endorsed,” Zavaleta said.

Zavaleta believes that “it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that (Fujimorism) could promote the criminalization of homosexuality and sexual diversity” in the future. She believes that, given the current context in which the LGBTIQ population is unprotected, being visible is vital to doing our part.

"What do you gain by destroying people who are different from you?"

Sergio Armasgo, an actor and activist, first became aware of homophobia when his classmates in school began questioning his fondness for the color pink and his identification with the Pink Ranger. Recently, homophobia struck him again as he was leaving work. A drunk man on the street began insulting him simply for talking to a friend. He referred to Sergio as "the skinny one," and although Sergio felt the urge to respond, he chose not to.

Over time, Armasgo has learned to ignore insults and taunts. He knows they are people who won't contribute anything to his life and prefers to disregard them. However, he acknowledges that not everyone has this defense mechanism and that others can be affected by receiving insults.

Regarding what happened with Decree Law 1323, he asks why these people “are not content with simply ignoring homosexuals, but also want to destroy them. Why? What do you gain by destroying people who are different from you?”

He knows that no law will suppress who he is, how he expresses himself, or how he loves. However, he recognizes the importance of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia because it helps people see that "we are people who are fighting for our rights."

Midchel Meza, a photographer and visual artist, experienced homophobia from a very young age in the form of school bullying. He had to change schools repeatedly until he forced himself to be ' cool' to fit in with the other kids.

For him, it's important to commemorate this day for all those who are still in the closet and afraid. “For every gay, bisexual, or transgender child who continues to suffer in silence, in a society that has done very little to understand the reality of diverse people. This day is important to remember the Colombian Sergio Urrego and others who have died in our country. It's an act of remembrance for them and to ensure that these events stop happening,” Midchel says.