Transgender in Indonesia
39 images Created 27 Feb 2016
In Indonesia, most populous muslim country, transgenders get discriminated in many levels. Transgenders can not find jobs and their existence in the society regarded as outsiders. Only few can survive with entrepreneurship, else ended up into prostitution.
The laws in Indonesia does not protect the transgender people but it does not criminalised them too. Indonesia is predominately Moslem and Christian country, which are mostly conservative, influence the national laws making. The Laws only accommodate male and female genders. In case of sexual orientation and gender identity, most discrimination is aimed at transgender women. As reported by UNDP in collaboration with US-AID in 2014, no laws in Indonesia mentioning transgender since they are recognised as male.
In recent months, the LGBT community faces a backlash against them. It is unclear why the issue risen up to the surface. Responses by the government officials and religion leaders firing up the tinder. A Quran School in the ancient city Yogyakarta has been closed down after received a threat from a radicals Islamic group Islam Jihad Front. In the following days, a rally by LGBT supporters was blockaded by Police. At the same day, the opposite group held a rally and propose a punishment for LGBT people by burning, stoned to death or thrown from height, just like what ISIS did.
In the islands of spirit Bali, Fiona, a transexual, converted into Islam as she felt comfortable, safe and calm since wearing hijab. The local moslem community witnessed her convert and accept her but with a condition the cleric recognised her as a man.
Indonesia’s technology, research and higher education minister Muhammad Nasir said that LGBT groups are not allowed to have activity in universities, responding to a group in Universitas Indonesia for providing counselling for LGBT people. Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu labelled the LGBT propaganda more dangerous than nuclear bomb. He accused the issue was brought up as a brainwash and the enemy of the state remain obscure. Even a mayor in Indonesia said that instant noodles and formula milk caused babies born gay.
The anti-LGBT also reacted to messenger apps because the homosexuality emoticon. The anti-LGBt group accused the messenger apps are promoting homosexuality. Indonesia’s VP Jusuf Kalla urged UNDP not to continuing its campaign relating to LGBT issue after a report mentioned UNDP allocated US$8 million for LGBT campaign in some South East Asia countries including Indonesia. The campaign is aimed to advocate the right of the marginalised people and their right should be protected.
Transgender in Indonesia has its traditional cultural root. In East Java, transgenders have a role in traditional folklore theatre. Since 1960s, the folklore group used actors to play role as women since women are forbidden to perform against men who was not her partner. By the infiltration of pop culture in 1980s, the role of women was played by transgenders until today.
The laws in Indonesia does not protect the transgender people but it does not criminalised them too. Indonesia is predominately Moslem and Christian country, which are mostly conservative, influence the national laws making. The Laws only accommodate male and female genders. In case of sexual orientation and gender identity, most discrimination is aimed at transgender women. As reported by UNDP in collaboration with US-AID in 2014, no laws in Indonesia mentioning transgender since they are recognised as male.
In recent months, the LGBT community faces a backlash against them. It is unclear why the issue risen up to the surface. Responses by the government officials and religion leaders firing up the tinder. A Quran School in the ancient city Yogyakarta has been closed down after received a threat from a radicals Islamic group Islam Jihad Front. In the following days, a rally by LGBT supporters was blockaded by Police. At the same day, the opposite group held a rally and propose a punishment for LGBT people by burning, stoned to death or thrown from height, just like what ISIS did.
In the islands of spirit Bali, Fiona, a transexual, converted into Islam as she felt comfortable, safe and calm since wearing hijab. The local moslem community witnessed her convert and accept her but with a condition the cleric recognised her as a man.
Indonesia’s technology, research and higher education minister Muhammad Nasir said that LGBT groups are not allowed to have activity in universities, responding to a group in Universitas Indonesia for providing counselling for LGBT people. Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu labelled the LGBT propaganda more dangerous than nuclear bomb. He accused the issue was brought up as a brainwash and the enemy of the state remain obscure. Even a mayor in Indonesia said that instant noodles and formula milk caused babies born gay.
The anti-LGBT also reacted to messenger apps because the homosexuality emoticon. The anti-LGBt group accused the messenger apps are promoting homosexuality. Indonesia’s VP Jusuf Kalla urged UNDP not to continuing its campaign relating to LGBT issue after a report mentioned UNDP allocated US$8 million for LGBT campaign in some South East Asia countries including Indonesia. The campaign is aimed to advocate the right of the marginalised people and their right should be protected.
Transgender in Indonesia has its traditional cultural root. In East Java, transgenders have a role in traditional folklore theatre. Since 1960s, the folklore group used actors to play role as women since women are forbidden to perform against men who was not her partner. By the infiltration of pop culture in 1980s, the role of women was played by transgenders until today.
