Rights groups have cancelled a South-East Asian LGBT event after receiving security threats, the organisers said, the latest sign of increasing pressure on the community from religious conservatives in the country.
Homosexuality is a taboo subject in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, even though it is not illegal except in the sharia-ruled Aceh province.
Other LGBT-related events have also been cancelled due to objections from Islamic groups.
Jakarta was set to host the “Asean Queer Advocacy Week” from July 17, bringing together activists from across South-East Asia to discuss advocacy and navigating challenges. It was jointly organised by Philippines-based rights group Asean Sogie Caucus, Indonesia-based Arus Pelangi and other activists.
But Asean Sogie Caucus said that they have now moved the event outside Indonesia “to ensure the safety and security of both the participants and organiser”.
“The organisers of the Asean Queer Advocacy Week decided to relocate the venue of the programme outside Indonesia after receiving a series of security threats from various groups,” Asean Sogie Caucus said in a statement on Tuesday. The organisers did not disclose the new venue due to security concerns. — Reuters
