Peru Congress declares June 'Month of Life and Family,' overriding LGBTQI+ Pride

In a move that has drawn sharp criticism, Peru's Congress has declared the month of June as the "Month of Life and Family." This declaration intentionally overrides the month's international recognition as LGBTQI+ Pride Month. The initiative was spearheaded by Milagros Jáuregui, a congresswoman from the ultrarightist Renovación Popular party and an evangelical pastor.

According to a statement from the Peruvian Parliament, the initiative seeks to "recognize and commemorate the importance of life and family as fundamental pillars for the country's development." It also aims to foster a culture of respect for human dignity and protect vulnerable sectors of society. The law encourages educational, academic, cultural, and community activities designed to strengthen the family institution and promote its supporting values.

During the parliamentary debate, Congresswoman Jáuregui asserted that strengthening the family fortifies the nation's foundations, promoting a society with greater cohesion, solidarity, and commitment to the common good. She stated, "The family continues to be the main space for personal formation and the most important support of our society. Defending it is building a Peru with greater unity, solidarity, and hope."

However, the decision has faced strong opposition. Center-left congresswoman Susel Paredes criticized the bill, stating it mirrors the ultraconservative movement in the United States. "Conservative congressmen boycott the LGBTQI+ pride month. The plenary session of Congress has just declared June as the Month of Life and Family. It takes as a model the white, Christian supremacist campaign initiated by the far-right in the United States, which it cites in the legislative project," Paredes commented on social media platform X. Jáuregui has previously authored controversial initiatives, including efforts to eliminate sex education and gender perspectives in public education.