IDAHOT Events 2015: Indonesia

[box type=”note” ]We are still busy collecting information on this year’s IDAHOT activities and are waiting to hear back from activists and event organisers. If you have information to share with us, please write us at contact@dayagainsthomophobia.org[/box]
In Malang, the Kojigema Institute had planned to hold the event  ‘Celebrate Our Gender’ on May 17, but due to intense intimidation and threats ahead of IDAHOT the talk show event had to be CANCELLED.
In a joint statement the organisers say that on May 15 and May 16 members of the organising team received several phone calls in which they were urged not to hold the event and “two of KI members received an SMS from someone on behalf of FPI East Java to cancel the talk show because it is considered contrary to the values of Pancasila. They threatened to disband the activity if the committee continued the activity.” As the local police offered no protection and show no interest in pursuing any investigation, the team decided to cancel the event and held a press conference in which they released the joint statement.
Read the full joint statement by the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS) Surabaya, Kojigema Institut (KI), FAMM Indonesia here.
Article in the The Jakarta Globe 

IDAHOT plans for Indonesia
Many activities took place but not all have been promoted openly.
These activities are organized collectively by Arus Pelangi with members of Forum LGBTIQ Indonesia especially the ones based in Jakarta including GWL-INA, Suara Kita, SWARA, QMunity, YIFOS, Ardhanary Insitute, Pelangi Mahardika, nd many others.
A rainbow run (street action) during Car Free Day on 17 May 2015. Find a BBC article about the day here
On 20th a public discussion on the role of the state in dealing with cases on violence and discrimination towards LGBTI in Indonesia.

Suara Kita (Our Voice) has organised a meeting with student groups and transgender groups to discuss their plans for IDAHOT 2015. The result is to invite as many groups as possible to commemorate IDAHOT 2015, not only LGBT groups but also non-LGBT groups, such as minority religious groups, women groups etc. Each of the groups is invited to celebrate May 17 within their context and resources.
The aim of Suara Kita was to raise public awareness of Homophobia and Transphobia and what May 17 stands for. The groups have therefore decided not to focus on a specific theme to enable as many groups as possible to create their own way to commemorate the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
There was a vast programme of activities all over Indonesia with the involvement of Suara Kita and various other groups which you can find here.
Some examples of actions are:

• Transgender women were visiting schools to talk about HIV/Aids and have a beauty demo. Watch the video here.
• Meeting and screening. Watch the video here
• Still in the framework of the campaign Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2015 # IDAHOT2015ID there was a public discussion on the theme “Participation of State in Handling Cases of Violence against LGBTIQ community in Indonesia ‘
  on Wednesday, May 20th, 2015 at the cafe Tjikini, street Cikini Raya 17, Central Jakarta.
  speakers:
  1. Commissioner of the National Committee of Human Rights, Natalius Pigai
  2. The National Committee of Women’s Commissioner, Budi Wahyu
  3. Members of the House of Representatives Commission III *
  4. Staff Expert Cabinet Secretary (Cabinet Secretary) Jokowi-JK *
  5. Legal Aid Foundation, Moch Ainul Yaqin.
  6. Forum LGBTIQ Indonesia

As last year, IDAHOT 2015 will also be documented in one activity report. The report will be available in English and Indonesian online and in print. We will keep you updated.
Suara Kita is a Indonesian organisation that works towards LGBT rights through media and community building. You can follow them on Twitter of Facebook and read their Annual Report 2014 here.

LGBTI organization GAYa NUSANTARA in Surabaya held three events to celebrate IDAHOT this year. The series of events is the following::

1. Appearance in local television: GN – SBOTV with the theme “Homophobia against LGBTI Youth”
There were 3 speakers for this event, namely: Edyth Revanatha (transgender activist from GN), Wibi Radimas (LGBTI teens), and Astrid Wiratna, Psi (Psychologist). The event emphasized that many teenagers LGBTI now experience the effects of homo / bi / trans-phobia. This situation also requires them to get the environment that respects their identity.
Wibi also shared his experience related to homophobia. Later Mrs. Astrid joined by talking about what homo / transphobia it, what caused it to happen and the impact they have. This event was closed by Edyth who provided more infomartion about IDAHOT and GAYa NUSANTARA.

2. Public lecture “Introduction to Queer Studies” by Hendri Julius in FIB UNAIR. This public lecture was attended by students and UNAIR from various departments and from outside UNAIR. In this public lecture Hendri discussed the development of queer studies. Recording of the event can be downloaded here and here
3. Hendri Yulius as author of “Coming out” talked about his book.

In Jakarta, members of the LGBTQI community and allies celebrated IDAHOT with rainbow colours in the streets. You can find images of the celebrations in Jakarta here.