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A Central Java policeman is fired for being gay. He now fights for his rights
The 29-year-old brigadier, identified as TT, is a homosexual, which he had kept a secret for years until he was ambushed by fellow officers while on a date with his partner on Valentine's Day.
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TT, an officer at the Semarang Police in Central Java, said that he was nothing but a victim of discriminatory policy and vowed to fight for his rights with the help of local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy groups. (JP/Suherdjoko)
H
e had loyally served in the police force for 10 years but was dishonorably discharged last December, not for accepting bribes or disobeying his superiors but because of his sexual orientation.
The 29-year-old brigadier, identified as TT, is a homosexual, which he had kept a secret for years until he was ambushed by fellow officers while on a date with his partner on Valentine's Day.
TT, an officer at the Semarang Police in Central Java, said that he was nothing but a victim of discriminatory policy and vowed to fight for his rights with the help of local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy groups.
“Serving people and the community as a police officer for the last 10 years is my pride. I have given my best and have not made any mistakes during my service all these years. And they fired me like this, for something private that doesn’t harm others. I’m very disappointed,” he told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Wednesday.
Dishonorably discharged
TT’s case is in many ways unique. While anti-LGBT sentiment has intensified for years in Indonesia, activists say he might be the first police officer to be fired for being gay. Moreover, he is the first to challenge the “unfair” decision without having to deny his sexual identity.
His story began in December last year when he was informed by his friends who attended a ceremony to which he was not invited that he had been dismissed. It was not until February that he received an official letter of termination.
