The Joko “Jokowi” Widodo administration continues to issue policies aimed at denying the existence of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the country despite its pledge to protect the rights of the vulnerable group.

After banning software applications designed for LGBT groups on the false allegation they are used to prey on children, the government has made it clear that it does not view homosexuals as role models.

The Youth and Sports Ministry has banned members of the LGBT community from entering the Pemilihan Duta Pemuda Kreatif 2016 (Creative Youth Ambassador Selection 2016), which is, according to its website, held to select youths from all provinces across the country to promote creativity as a way to improve competitiveness.

Other groups banned from the selection include people who have an affiliation with a political party and ...