Suarakita.org- LGBT Indonesians continue to exist. During the month of May, LGBT groups celebrated International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) and emerged to the public following an onslaught of attacks, diatribes and allegations in the beginning of 2016.
The IDAHOT Indonesia Celebration took place in five cities: Jakarta, Semarang, Palu, Gorontalo and Manado. A total of 18 activities were organized in the five cities, both for public and internal communities.
Among the events organized during this year’s IDAHOT celebration, the two most notable were the consolidation of LGBT groups and women’s groups by establishing The Indonesian Sexual Diversity Movement (Gerakan Keberagaman Seksualitas Indonesia [GKSI] ), and the cancellation of an event by Gubug Sebaya Jombang, a LGBT organization in Jombang, East Java, due to pressures by the police and mass organizations.
Amid a series of stigma aimed at LGBT groups, IDAHOT became a meeting point between LGBT individuals and the general public. This is what makes IDAHOT a moment worth celebrating every year. Nonetheless, the security aspect in organizing events in the coming years needs further attention.
The report can be downloaded here.
The Indonesian version can be downloaded here.
