The public's selective attention to LGBT rights issues, including politicians who have sought to use such issues to gain public support, has only compounded the struggles the community faces in Indonesia, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has said.

Komnas HAM commissioner Beka Ulung Hapsara said that stigma and discrimination against the LGBT community was a “gargantuan struggle” that would be difficult to resolve without the support of many stakeholders.

“[It will be hard to win the battle] if the LGBT community only has support from Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan [National Commission on Violence Against Women] and other civil society organisations,” Beka said in a recent virtual discussion on hate speech against marginalised communities.

“The stigma and discrimination is so deeply rooted in our society that many think of it as a given. It is quite the challenge to face alone.”

Discrimination against the LGBT community is still widespread in Indonesia, with the Indonesian Psychiatrists Association (PDSKJI) classifying homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexualism as mental disorders that can be cured through proper treatment.

The Komnas HAM commissioner said there had been a stark change in public perception toward the community, highlighted by the lack of representation on national television that came as a result of intolerant groups and agencies like the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) that tried to limit the community’s movement.

Just a decade or two ago, national broadcasting was considered a safe space for the LGBT community, with primetime programs like the Dorce Show – a variety show hosted by the openly transwoman Dorce Gamalama – pulling in viewers during a successful four-year run. Read more via Asia One