“By Now, We Should Have Accepted LGBTQ”: Peru’s Hot Take Sparks Debate at UNHRC

What began as a routine discussion on setting the agenda took an unexpected turn when the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) paused for an informal “hot takes” session.

The lighter moment quickly became a platform for contentious views, with delegates weighing in on issues ranging from gender and relationships to food, culture, and societal perceptions.

One of the most striking moments came when the delegate of Peru rose with a direct proposition: “By now, as a society, we should have accepted LGBTQ.”

The statement immediately drew reactions across the room. Some delegates appeared to welcome the position, while others objected. There were also moments of visible surprise as delegates grappled with the issue.

The delegate of Peru remained firm in defending her position, adding that LGBTQ people are part of society and should therefore be accepted. She stood by her argument despite opposing reactions from fellow delegates.

The exchange demonstrated how quickly an informal session could move from light-hearted discussion to a serious conversation about social values and human rights. It also revealed the diversity of perspectives represented within the committee. With delegates willing to challenge and defend positions on issues that remain contested in societies around the world.

What was intended to be a break from the formal agenda instead became one of the session’s most talked-about moments. This left the room with a question that extended beyond the informal session: How far has society really come in accepting differences?

Abigail Bonsu Owusu, The Sentinel Media, International Press Corps (IPC), LTMUN 2026.