State condones discrimination

State condones discrimination

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 05/17/2009 1:37 PM | Headlines

A group of casually clad males unfurl a banner saying "I'm bisexual, how about you?", while several others wearing glittering cabaret-like costumes chat with each other around Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta, under the curious eyes of people in passing cars and public buses.

About 60 members of the self-claimed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community gathered at the famous public space Saturday to commemorate the International Day against Homophobia, which falls May 17.

"Unite our hands, celebrate diversity" is the theme of this year's commemoration, the 19th since the World Health Organization (WHO) excluded homosexuality from the list of mental disorders in 1992.

The communities, however, have remained discriminated against by the mainstream almost all over the world, including in Indonesia.

"Ironically, the state helps this discrimination prevail. Look at the Pornography Law, which ranks gays and lesbians among the people with defiant sexual behaviors like those practicing bestiality," Kamilia Manaf, executive director of the Pelangi Perempuan Institute, an NGO defending the rights of LGBTs.

Article 5 of the 2008 Pornography Law bans the distribution or broadcast of material related to homosexual relationships. The controversial law is being challenged at the Constitutional Court as it is said to restrict freedom of expression.

"Gays and lesbians have a sexual orientation that is certainly not *defiant' nor a disease," Kamilia said.

G.W. Ajie of Arus Pelangi, an NGO that fights for the rights of LGBTs, says beside the much-discussed Pornography Law, many regional ordinances potentially place restrictions on LGBTs.

In Batam, a bylaw bans homosexual organizations, while in Palembang a recently passed ordinance considers transgender individuals prostitutes.

"No LGBTs have been brought to court under the ordinances, but it is just a matter of time before bylaws are enforced against them," Ajie said.

He added that in general, the government discriminated against LGBT groups, except for several "open-minded" ministries that were willing to listen to the communities, such as the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration.

Eca, a public relations student who is part of a dance group, said his campus welcomed him alright, "although there are still some friends that see me as different".

He said he joined the Arus Pelangi gay group in order to obtain more information on LGBTs.

"I get more knowledge about organizations and make new friends here. And importantly, we know that LGBTs have a right to legal protection," he said.

Louis, another member of Arus Pelangi, said despite the absence of social barriers from the public and his family, he was still worried his friends might think of him as a "lady boy".

Louis wore a bright blue dress during the event at Hotel Indonesia traffic circle that morning, with a feminine hairdo.

"I will be embarrassed if my colleagues see me, but this is Saturday, it's weekend," he said.

The number of LGBTs in the country is still unknown, but Ajie said transvestites alone might number four million. (iwp)