Contextualizing Western LGBT Identity Politics: A Critical Analysis of the Indonesian LGBT Movements’ Responses to Anti-LGBT Vitriol

• In Event: Porn, Public Opinion, Poland and More: Topographies of Advocacy and Activism

Abstract

In order to address the anti-LGBT vitriol, the relatively nascent LGBT movements in Indonesia have done some advocacy activities through three major modes, such as: public education/awareness through media, collaborative efforts with non-LGBT organizations (including moderate religious organizations), and the dissemination public statements to clarify and elucidate the wrong assumptions about LGBT Indonesians. These attempts uncover tactical and strategic maneuvers of the LGBT movements in framing the messages and navigating the movements in acceptable ways, through avoiding the use of human rights language and adopting local social-cultural norms. This study offers a critical analysis on the examination of the Indonesian LGBT movements’ responses to anti-LGBT vitriol. This analysis provides a fertile ground to explore localized LGBT identity politics and strategies, which are significantly different from westernized human rights models and assess the success of values and message framing in achieving the movements’ goals.

Authors

• Dyah Pitaloka, National U of Singapore (NUS)

• Hendri Wijaya, U of Sydney