Indonesia's reputation for being a conservative yet tolerant country is now in deep waters as violent protest against the LGBT community is rising in the country.
Indonesia has experienced a dramatic increase of discrimination and hate towards the LGBT community. This turn of events has been a shocking moment to many Indonesians. In a Muslin predominant country, the LGBT groups have been constantly struggling to find its place in the community as the national conversation has been centered on violence and hate towards the third sex.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal, it began last January when Muhammad Nasir, the minister for research and higher education, criticized gay students for openly showing their sexuality at the University of Indonesia. The event came after the student rights group published a brochure that promotes LGBT counseling network.
The banning of television and radio programs that depict LGBT living normal lives and also banning men who appear feminine have been done by the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission. Indonesia's vice president also asked the United Nations Development Program to cut the funding of LGBT education groups.
According to Japan Times, the smartphone messaging app, Line, has also pulled its stickers that shows same-sex couples from their emoji store in response to an idealistic order from officials in order to prevent the spread of gay and transgender imagery.
Ryamizard Ryacudu, Indonesia's Defense Minister, said LGBT groups are attempting to brainwash everybody through a type of proxy war. He added that LGBT people are even more dangerous than nuclear war. The statements given by the Defense Minister was seen as offensive, setting alarming priorities from a defense minister, as per The Diplomat.
The hate war towards the LGBT has led to the creation of community hotlines and safe-houses. A former school in Yogyakarta, which was already closed, vowed to reopen and continue their work in a different location.
President Joko Widodo have been silent on the issue despite the call of several human rights group to stop the censorship and hate speech towards the LGBT community. Widodo has been basing his campaign on human rights and won the presidency with a large support from the LGBT community. Several Indonesians have been disappointed in Widodo's lack of action towards the issue.
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