indonesia
Gay Indonesians face homophobic backlash after rapist’s conviction
Human rights groups have condemned a mayor in Indonesia for ordering anti-LGBTIQ raids in the wake of Indonesian-born Reynhard Sinaga’s UK rape conviction. This month, a UK court jailed the serial rapist for life after he drugged and assaulted more than 100 men. As a result, the student’s crimes have sparked a homophobic backlash in …
Authorities target Bali villas for ‘catering to gay community’
At least four villas in Bali are reportedly under investigation by disapproving Indonesian authorities for allegedly “marketing themselves specifically for the gay community”. Indonesian outlet Coconuts reported authorities were looking into one villa at the Seminyak Beach Resort. The villa marketed itself on Facebook as “Angelo Bali Gay Guesthouse” and attracted local attention for appearing …
Indonesia tests foreign teachers for ‘abnormal’ sexual orientation
Earlier this month, international schools in Indonesia began implementing government regulation to test foreign teachers for ‘abnormal’ sexual orientation. The New York Times published questions from tests some schools required foreign teachers to take. Some questions required either agreement or disagreement with a statement. “I would feel uncomfortable knowing my daughter’s or son’s teacher was …
Don’t stop coming to Bali, hotel bosses plead
Bali tourism officials have urged tourists to continue their Indonesian travel plans after global outrage at proposed sex laws. The “draconian” new laws would, among many other things, ban consensual sex outside of marriage in Indonesia, and as a result criminalise all homosexual sex. The proposals were unveiled last week but after global outrage President …
Indonesian president delays sex laws after outrage
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has delayed a vote on hundreds of draconian new laws – including one banning gay sex – after worldwide outrage. The Indonesian government is proposing an extensive overhaul of the country’s criminal code. Human rights groups blasted the planned laws as “disastrous” for not only LGBTIQ people but the wider Indonesian …
New Indonesia sex ban a ‘disaster’ for LGBTIQ people
New laws proposed by Indonesia to ban sex between unmarried couples are a “human rights disaster” for LGBTIQ people, advocates say. Human rights groups have slammed a bill extensively overhauling Indonesia’s criminal code. The parliament will likely vote on the bill before the end of the month. The bill would make consensual sex between unmarried …
Indonesian officials complain prisons are ‘turning inmates gay’
An Indonesia prison chief wants to isolate gay and lesbian prisoners to avoid “transmission” of homosexuality. Officials in the country this week complained that the country’s cramped same-sex prison cells had sparked a rise in “deviant” sex between inmates. “If sexual deviations are found in either male inmates or female inmates, we will take the …
Indonesian women arrested for same-sex marriage vid
Police in Indonesia arrested three women after they posted a video online claiming President Joko Widodo would legalise marriage equality if re-elected this year. In the video, shared thousands of times online, two women can be seen using the threat of marriage equality in the majority-Muslim country as a scare tactic. They tell an elderly …
Instagram Denies Removing ‘Gay Muslim’ Comic After Indonesian Pressure
An Instagram account featuring comics depicting gay Muslims’ struggles in Indonesia has been deleted following outrage from authorities in the country. The Indonesian-language comics, posted by user @Alpantuni, depicted a gay protagonist and explores his identity and the bigotry and abuse he faces for being gay in the country. The Ministry of Communications wrote to …
‘Discreet And Cautious’: What It’s Like Being LGBTIQ In Indonesia
Indonesian law does not criminalise private, consenting adult same-sex acts. However, in the majority Muslim country, there is an element of societal disapproval. Also, because of the need for social harmony in the diverse country, a citizen’s duties are the priority rather than their rights. Adding even more complexity to the situation for the Indonesian …