Over the past few years, polarization in Peruvian politics has paved the way for an authoritarian regression in government, even though civil society have taken steps to resist. This context underscores the importance of empowering LGBTQI+ people to participate actively in the political process and supporting figures like Susel Paredes, who stand as beacons for democracy and LGBTQI+ rights in Peru.
In 2021, leftist candidate Pedro Castillo won a very close presidential election against Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of the last Peruvian dictator (who was condemned for numerous human rights violations). Early in his tenure, confrontation with extremist right-wing Congressional representatives began. They tried twice to remove him from power without gathering the necessary votes, leading Castillo to try to dissolve Congress in December 2022. This act marked the end of his presidency, and later that day, he was removed from power and arrested.
Peru’s new President Pedro Castillo addresses the law makers and invitees during the Inauguration Day at the Congress in Lima, Peru July 28, 2021. Peru’s Presidency/Handout via REUTERS
Vice President Dina Boluarte assumed the presidency of the country. But presidential power was now extremely limited, if not erased, by the right-wing dominated Congress. Because these representatives have consolidated power, they are now able to repeal and roll back hard-won rights. The recent decree from the Ministry of Health that labeled transgender people as “mentally ill” is one such example of the assault on LGBTQI+ rights.
It’s important to recognize that this power wasn’t necessarily won with the most votes; this authoritarian majority was consolidated through instability. During and despite the conservative headwinds, Susel Paredes won her campaign in 2021. Susel, an out lesbian and theater actress, was elected to Congress.
Even though Susel earned more votes than any other women elected to congress, her ability to act was constrained by the extremist right-wing forces. For example, she was recently sanctioned with a two-month salary penalty by the ethics commission of Congress (integrated by six right-wing representatives) for calling the representatives who voted to remove juries from the national juridical assembly “dumb idiots.” Other members have several accusations of corruption and many other scandals but haven’t been sanctioned or even discussed.
This situation is especially relevant to the region because we can see how strategies to erode democracy through instability are being tested in the Peruvian political field. Like any other crisis, this affects directly and disproportionally those who were already on the marginalized side of the balance, in this case, the LGBTQI+ population.
In a context where anti-LGBTQI+ politicians threaten our rights in many countries, including the United States, we must lay all eyes on the fields where these battels are being fought. By learning their moves and strengthening our networks, we can create and protect the LGBTQI+ inclusive democracy we all dream of.
LGBTQ+ Victory Institute has been working with our partner, “Promsex, Centro de Promocion y defensa de derechos sexuales y reproductivos”, for the last 14 years to build power in the region. This network becomes more relevant and necessary every day. Through “Empodera”, a training program for LGBTQ+ leaders, we’ve reach nearly 300 activists, which today have founded new NGOs like Feminas Peru, political parties and some of them are getting ready to run for office in the next 2026 elections. Let’s follow and support all these initiatives to ensure this effort to erode democracy doesn’t succeed, and instead create a new opportunity to develop a better, more inclusive and fairer democracy.
Stay tuned for more updates from Victory Institute’s Global team.
