More Lesbian, Gay &Trans organizations than ever joined in the celebrations on the International Day against Homophobia, not only in the capital Jakarta but also in other cities like Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Makassar, and even in the strict-Islamic city of Banda Aceh. JAKARTA The following organizations took part in the organizing: Ardhanary Institute [lesbian], Arus Pelangi [LGBT], Forum Komunikasi Waria [trans], Institut Pelangi Perempuan [lesbian], Our Voice [gay], Srikandi Sejati Foundation [trans]. The motto of this year is “Join hands, celebrate diversity”.

The first activity was a march rally held on Saturday 16 May. The demonstration took place in the heart of Jakarta: at the famous “Welcome to Indonesia” monument, where almost all demonstrations are usually held. The fact that the organizers got a permit from the police shows how far Indonesia has moved up in the ‘democracy scale’. Yet, the impact of stigma and discrimination is still rampant; less than 100 people showed up for the march. Many demonstrators were wearing masks; such is still the fear of being recognized. Despite the risk of being attacked by right-wing muslims, they tried to be as gay [in the original meaning] as possible. To reach out to the public the demonstrators gave out leaflets, candies and artificial flowers to passers-by. Most of them were pleasantly surprised by the colorful gifts they received. The demonstrators staged speeches, songs and drama. The placards they brought say “LGBT are not mentally deranged”, “My sexuality is my right”, “I am bisexual; what about you?”

On Saturday 24 May the team organized a cultural event in an upscale discotheque “Apollo”. Performances by lesbian, gay, trans groups were staged in a swinging pace. The dances, live singing, drama play etc made the evening a wonderful experience of synergy among gays, lesbians and trans people who otherwise would not mix that well. As the more serious part of the celebration two separate public discussions were held. The first was held on Thursday 27 May with the topic “The role of parents in the self-acceptance of LGBT”. Aside from a lesbian, a gay and a waria [transperson] each one giving testimony to the public about how they came out the their parents, for the first time, a mother of a gay came forward to speak about her experience. She said: “I found out that sincerity, resignation, and trust in the good intentions of God are the best guides to accept the way my child is.” The sometimes very personal aspects of being LGBTIQ was the highlights of this public discussion that was attended by around 50 people.

On Friday 28 May a second public discussion took place; this time, it was organized by a student organization of the State Islamic University. With around 300 students attending it, the discussion revolved around the coming out of LGBT. Needless to say that in this “lion’s den” a very hot debate was warranted. The students – mostly ignorant – were asking about how someone become gay, if homosexuality is not contagious, why sinners should not be punished, etc. Fortunately, one of the speakers was no less than the vice-chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission. He made clear that to live a life in private is a human right and that the state is obliged to protect its citizens against discrimination and stigma. Another speaker was an Islamic scholar himself; so he pointed to the many inconsistencies in the Quran regarding what constitute sins and what not. At the end, not all students were convinced, but as a first step of a long dialogue it was a fitting closing to the IDAHO celebration in Jakarta.

YOGYAKARTA We are particularly proud that our brothers and sisters in the very birthplace of the Yogyakarta Principles have been just as active in promoting IDAHO 2009. Yogyakarta has also experienced one of the worst hate crime incidents that have taken place in Indonesia: the Kaliurang Incident where gathering of the gays and warias [transpersons] was violently attacked by a mob of hardline Muslims in 2000. Quite fittingly, the Yogyakarta LGBT network (PLU-SatuHati and other) chose theme “No more violence in the midst of Diversity” for 2009. Public discussion was held on 15 May in a renowned Muslim center of Nahdlatul Ulama; the theme was ‘The Acceptance of LGBT by Their Families’ A mother of a waria spoke about her relationship with her trans-daughter; she fully supports her and is proud that her former-son has become a socially responsible person working with an NGO. “My only concern is that she has to go out so often in the night. You know, there are many ghosts!” added this devout Muslim mother. Another speaker was a psychology lecturer from the prestigious Gajah Mada University; she emphasized that LGBT are part of the society and there is no need to avoid them. “Let them integrate and socialize with us, and be productive to the society” she exhorted.

On 17 May the Yogyakarta LGBT network staged a peaceful demonstration in the heart of Yogyakarta. The demonstrators demanded the end of discrimination and violence against LGBT; in particular the government should adopt the Yogyakarta Principles in the legal reforms of the national laws as well as local regulations. One of the slogans says: “Waria are human beings too”. Students from the Multi Media Training Centre staged a street theater as an act of solidarity.

A Photo Exhibition and an Art Performance were held on 17 May with the participation many organizations which are concerned with LGBT and non-LGBT issues. Straight after the IDAHO activities, Yogyakarta was entertained with the 3rd Q! Film Festival, an ever-growing yearly event that celebrates the LGBTIQ lifestyles through films and discussions in several cities in Indonesia. SURABAYA The second largest city in Indonesia witnessed a day-long open-air event on 17 May, organized by GAYa Nusantara, Us Community, PERWAKOS, IGAMA and 14 other NGOs. The program consisted of an NGO bazaar, talk show, film screening and ‘edutainment’. The theme they chose was “Together, Diverse with No Limits”.

The talk show featured a waria, a women activist and (ex)drug user as resource persons; they shared their experiences when meeting LGBTIQ for the first time, relating and collaborating with LGBTIQ people. The evening program was filled with a series of art performances by trans, gay, lesbian groups: theater, dance, lipsync etc.

GAYa Nusantara got invited to a popular TV show (Nyelathu Show/JTV) to discuss IDAHO 2009. The show featured gay, lesbian, waria persons talking freely about their sexuality and life styles, their relationships and coming out to their parents. Reactions from the viewers and audience were mixed, which made the show very lively. MAKASSAR The LGBT groups in Makassar started with a fund raising event among the LGBT communities; around 60 people attended the program “Unity in Diverzity on Bazar” Quadro Café, on 8 Mei 2009.

On May 17, they held a peaceful street action in the center of Makassar distributing leaflets and flowers to passers-by, drawing their attention to IDAHO. More substantial was the AIDS Candlelight Memorial, under the motto “Together, We are the solution”. Around 40 people [students, activists, youth] came together on May 18 at the Mandala Monument to hold a candle vigil accompanied with poetry reading, songs and prayers.