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‘Waria’: Mentally ill by nature or nurture?
Sexual identity is not a mental illness, but the lack of sociocultural and institutional support for trans-people is causing psychological harm to many.
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Sexual identity is not a mental illness, but the lack of sociocultural and institutional support for trans-people is causing psychological harm to many. (Shutterstock/taa22)
A
ceh is the only province in Indonesia that legislatively prohibits lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) activity. Vigilantes and sharia police raid the homes and workplaces of many in the LGBTQI community, making public displays of their “unnatural behavior”.
The distinct visual contrast between waria or transwomen and heterosexual individuals makes them incredibly vulnerable to such raids, leaving many transwomen fearful for their livelihoods.
Law No. 18/2014 on mental health guidelines categorizes homosexuals and bisexuals as “people with psychiatric problems” whilst transgender people are said to have “mental disorders” — the distinction being that psychiatric conditions, if not treated, will put people “at risk of developing a mental disorder”.
This ideology infers that homosexuality is a gateway psychiatric issue, which has the potential to develop into the ultimate mental disorder — transgender.
Many public officials further propagate that LGBTQI identification is a disease which must be prevented early on and fortified against by the public.
It is this propaganda with respect to the LGBTQI community that entrenches widespread public fear and cultivates an environment of discrimination and persecution.
Such a cultural climate is indicative of regression in LGBTQI rights and understanding.
