Alexandra Hernández, Más Igualdad Perú, Peru, Health Working Group
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Alexandra Hernández, Más Igualdad Perú, Peru, Health Working Group

Out of the margins - Alexandra Hernández

Alexandra Hernández, Más Igualdad Perú, Peru, Health Working Group

What is the situation for LBT+ communities in Peru?

LBT + people in Peru are the most silenced within the queer community. Studies, financial support and representation in politics, science and spaces of power are limited mainly to gay cisgender men. The feminist movement has provided us with a platform to discuss some of our most important demands, but we are still struggling to find our own space. As queer, trans and non-binary people, we need to recover more spaces and start talking about our own experiences more freely, especially when talking about indigenous, poor and trans people of colour.

What change do you hope to see?

I hope we can begin to elevate the experiences of others. In Peru, the lesbian and feminist movement is very trans and bi exclusionary. It seems that our experiences are too complex to be discussed or too dynamic to adjust to their narratives. We need to get in touch with intersectionality and other ways of analysing gender and inequality in order to deconstruct our oppressions. I hope we can recognise where we come from and be responsible for our own actions towards other marginalised people within our queer and latinx community.

How did you find the Expert Group Planning Meeting and collaborating with Stonewall?

I loved it from minute one. I was surrounded by very smart, kind, talented and amazing activists from all over the world. I could not help but feeling humble and grateful. I tried to assimilate every experience I heard and I was able to build strong connections with some of the activists I met. I learned a lot, not only about their realities and struggles, but about myself and what I can do to be a better activist and a better ally in my own community. Stonewall is giving me the network and the resources I need to achieve something as a group and not only as individuals.

Visit the Out of the Margins website.