Indonesia Should Stop Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ People
In Indonesia, same-sex couples in Indonesia cannot legally marry. Marriage, according to the law, is defined as being between a man and a woman, as husband and wife. There is, however, no specific law that prohibits or penalizes a same-sex relationship between two consenting adults.
For example, A Thai same-sex couple was bullied, harassed, and threatened by Indonesian netizens after they posted photos of their wedding on Facebook back in April 2021. Even if they didn’t know the couple personally, the majority of the comments from Indonesian users were homophobic. This only reinforces the findings of a recent Microsoft survey, which ranked Indonesia 29th out of 32 surveyed countries in terms of internet and social media use.
Another incident occurred on the British Embassy Jakarta Instagram on May 18, 2022, when the account posted a picture of a Pride flag, which many Indonesians did not approve of. The post received approximately 12,887 comments, the majority of which were hateful comments from Indonesian citizens who appeared to be homophobic. However, why should LGBT people face increasing hostility and intolerance, including attacks and discrimination? Isn’t it taught in almost every religion that people should love and respect one another?
Although not all Indonesians are like this, the vast majority are. As a result, the world continues to regard Indonesians as homophobic as a whole. It is understandable that same-sex relationship or marriage is forbidden in most of religion but what can’t be accepted is the act of hate and discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people. It’s fine if some people disagree, but discriminating against and hating those who do is not honorable. A person has the right to choose what they believe in and what they want to do with their lives, including who they want to marry or be in a relationship with.
Everyone has their own beliefs and opinions, but disrespecting other people’s choices is simply not acceptable. Aren’t Indonesians known for their friendliness? It is not the case in this instance. It’s sad to know that some people are receiving hate they don’t deserve simply because they hold different beliefs. Why can’t people just respect one another and live peacefully? What is the point of starting a war? Who are they to pass judgment?
Our silence compels us to participate in hate crimes against LGBTQ people. Unless more of us speak up and change the global perception, Indonesia’s homophobic label will remain for a long time. Hopefully, people will be able to open their minds and simply be tolerant of one another; people do not have to support things they do not believe in, but respect towards others is required.
Works Cited
Nations with anti-LGBT laws: 49% Muslim, 44% Christian. (n.d.). Erasing 76 Crimes; 76crimes.com. Retrieved June 20, 2022, from https://76crimes.com/nations-with-anti-lgbt-laws-49-muslim-44-christian/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkruVBhCHARIsACVIiOzHPbyfpguSxSG6loFuDkSx9lOm_09zsoZ3X9EJu_Rfgv-WfhgCcFoaApsiEALw_wcB
(www.dw.com), D. W. (2017, November 7). Indonesia’s LGBTQ community fears crackdown under legal reforms | DW | 02.06.2022. DW.COM; www.dw.com. https://www.dw.com/en/indonesia-lgbtq-fears-crackdown-under-legal-reforms/a-62010297
Post, T. J. (2021, April 20). Are Indonesians homophobic? The Jakarta Post; www.thejakartapost.com. https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2021/04/19/are-indonesians-homophobic.html
LGBT rights in Indonesia — Wikipedia. (2016, March 17). LGBT Rights in Indonesia — Wikipedia; en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Indonesia
