Peru

Cities in Peru

Name: Perú · Pérou
Location: Western Coast of South America
Initials: PE
International country code: 51 (omit 0 from area code)
International access code: 00
Language: Spanish, Quechua
Area: 1,285,216 km² / 496,222 sq mi.
Currency: 1 New Sol (S/.) = 100 Céntimos
Population: 27,968,000
Capital: Lima
Religions: 92% Roman Catholic 3% Protestant
Climate: The highlands are best from Jun-Aug, and the beaches Dec-Mar. The rainy season is Dec-Mar.
Important gay cities: Lima

Homosexual acts among consenting adults are legal. An exception was made for all military and police personnel, who could be punished with between 60 days to 20 years imprisonment or discharge from the forces but the Constitutional Court has declared that ruling as unconstitutional and ordered that it must be changed. 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 1980's 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.