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ctivists say more work is needed to fight online discrimination against homosexuals and transgendered people.

Kamilia Manaf, a representative of the Pelangi Perempuan Institute, which advocates lesbian rights, said that an increasing number of people were insulting members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community on the Internet.

'There are people who post comments like 'Oh my God, the world is coming to an end', or 'I am wondering, why are you destroying the nation's morality?' on social media and websites promoting LGBT rights, such as ourvoice.or.id,' Kamilia said, citing one LGBT rights group's website.

'Although I don't have data on the prevalence of cyber-homophobia yet, but I have heard of complaints from fellow activists about anti-LGBT messages on Facebook, Twitter, and blogs,' Kamilia said.

On Facebook, users can join local groups such as the Komunitas Anti Homoseksual (Anti-Homosexual Community), which has been 'liked' by 64 people.

'I don't like homosexuals, they behave like dogs,' one post on the Facebook page said. A similar user on Twitter called @HomoAnti has 50 followers.

Maria Mustika from the Forum of Young Indonesian Women Activists (FAMMI) said that online discrimination against the LBGT community should not be underestimated.

'Derogatory comments circulating on the net against LGBT individuals could cause them to become depressed or even to commit suicide,' Maria said.

'When an individual is judged based only on their sexual orientation, they will not be able to live optimally. We need to give a safe space for LGBT individuals so they can live up to their full potential,' Maria added.

Kamilia said that blocking homophobic content on the Internet would constitute censorship, not a solution.

'Since 2009, at least seven internet service providers, including Lintas Artha, XL, Telkomsel Flash and IM2 have blocked websites promoting LGBT rights, such as the International LGBT Association [ILGA] and the IGLHRC [International LGBT Human Rights Commission],' Kamila said.

'These providers act in compliance with the policies of the Communications and Information Minister, Tifatul Sembiring, who considers any material discussing LGBT issues to be pornographic,' Kamilia said.

Separately, Hartoyo, the secretary-general of Ourvoice Indonesia, an LGBT rights organization, said that he agreed that blocking homophobic content was not a solution.

'We have complained that LGBT websites are being blocked by providers. If we demand that providers block homophobic content, we would support a double standard,' Hartoyo said.

'Instead of using censorship, we will respond to homophobia by trying to educate the public through open communication,' Kamilia said.(ogi)