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View all search resultsLGBT people hope to gain sense of safety, belonging
Yes, the picture is not all rainbows and unicorns, as they say.
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D
espite rising religious conservatism in Indonesia, a trend often hijacked by politicians to gain popularity in the country, it turns out that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities still enjoy a semblance of safety and belonging.
Amid constant threats of violence, LGBT people still find some room where they can find a sense of belonging and self-actualization.
Maria (not her real name) is a 30-something transwoman who currently works as a wellness practitioner in the Canggu area of Bali.
She remains discreet about her identity, yet a number of people who work with her already know that she is a transwoman, and they still welcome her with open arms.
“Sometimes, some of my friends or colleagues out me as a transwoman to the clients of our wellness centers, our friends or our coworkers. Nonetheless, people still treat me with respect afterward,” Maria said, adding that she was quite lucky to be able to work in an environment that was quite tolerant.
Maria said she could occasionally still visit her family members living in North Sumatra.
It’s not all rainbows and unicorns. Lini Zurlia, advocacy officer at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Caucus (ASEAN SOGIE Caucus), said during a recent online seminar that the year 2020 presented a lowlight specifically for the Indonesian transwomen community.
