Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Peru may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Same-sex sexual activity among consenting adults are legal. An exception was previously made for all military and police personnel, who could be punished with between 60 days to 20 years imprisonment or discharge from the forces. However, in December 2009, the Supreme Court of Peru ruled that homosexual orientation or engaging in homosexual sex cannot be an impediment to membership of the police forces and the military.
Homosexuality can also be used as grounds for separation or divorce. Laws meant to protect "public morals" are often used against lesbians and gays. Society's attitude towards homosexuals is generally hostile and is heavily influenced by the Catholic Church. In the 1980s the founding of the organisation Movimiento Homosexual de Lima (MHOL) managed to bring about at least a slight change in the way the media treated homosexuality. Known LGBT persons may face persecution by the public. During the first Lima pride parade in 2002, most demonstrators wore masks to avoid persecution by the public.
On 26 July 2010, Deputy José Vargas of the ruling party Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana announced that he will introduce a bill legalizing civil union.
In August 2010, a poll revealed 21.3% of Peruvians approved same-sex marriage, with higher percentage amongst people from Lima and younger people.
Lima, Peru apparently has a relatively small openly-gay community for a city of nearly 9 million people and many gays are well and truly in the closet. The gay scene is much smaller than Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, or Bogotá.
There is no gay listings magazine published in Lima. The magazine called Paradero that appeared in 2000 and part of 2001 is no longer published. There are three principal Spanish-language websites on gay Peru (you can find their URLs on the Gay Links page). Their content is mainly devoted to news, gossip, horoscopes and contacts; their local guides are all mostly deficient and outdated.
Although Lima has become a little more liberal in the last few years bear in mind that Peru generally still has a macho and conservative culture. The gay rights movement in Peru is in its infancy and an attempt is being initiated to change the constitution. In the meantime homosexuality continues to be viewed negatively so adjust your behaviour accordingly and keep a low profile in public. Acceptance will only be achieved slowly and by not provoking reactionary elements.
The gay scene in Lima is free of dress-code, uniforms, and clones; dress for all occasions and places is casual light-weight summer wear (but in the southern winter months you will need a light sweater or jacket). There is no age-ism. There is also a lack of attitude. You will find Limeños very friendly, interested in foreigners (gringos), and a fair proportion speak some English. It does help to be able to speak some Spanish, but not speaking Spanish isn't a bar to having a good time. Do I have to tell you where the best language classroom is?
Remarkably, in a city where nearly all the population are a mixture of races and colours, racial discrimination is quite common. If a persons skin is a shade too dark or appearance too Andean, it is quite possible entry will be refused, not only to bars and discos, but also to hotels, restaurants, casinos and other places of entertainment too. When this happens doormen will give fatuous reasons like "membership only" or "improperly dressed". There is little that can be done about it unless the aggrieved person is prepared to make a denuncia (complaint) to the local municipality with supporting witnesses. All the bars and discos listed here except those in or near Lima centre are guilty of this discrimination. This discrimination only applies to Peruvians and not to tourists.
There are a relatively large number of transvestite prostitutes in Lima. They can be found openly offering their services on the street late at night at several well-known locations all over the city. I have never met anyone who has used their services but it is generally held that they are used by men who, in this macho culture, consider that if they are in the active role then they do not consider themselves to be homosexual. Unfortunately the general population equate transvestites with all gays and homosexuals, to the confusion of everyone.
Night life in Lima, and indeed in nearly all major cities in Latin America, does not really start until after midnight. Many places offer free or reduced entry before midnight but things don't really get lively until 1 a.m. and then go on very late indeed.
You will sometimes see a rainbow flag flying in Peru; occasionally in Lima (over the presidential palace!), more so in Cuzco. This is the flag of Tihuantinsuyo, the name of the Inca Empire. Any resemblance between this and the gay flag is purely coincidental; the sharp-eyed among you may spot the difference.
Travelers to Peru who are convinced about the efficacy of Maca (the so-called "Peruvian Viagra") should stock up while they are here. It is on sale at all pharmacies at a considerable saving on prices elsewhere. .
For those of you who like trivia, the patron saint of homosexuals, bus drivers, taxi drivers, job seekers and migrants is Sarita Colonia who was born in Lima in 1926 and died in 1952 and is buried in Cementerio Baquijano in Callao.
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