LGBT Rights In Indonesia

A masked gay activist at a protest demanding equality for LGBT people in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011. Homosexuals and transgenders in the world’s most populous Muslim country still face discrimination today.
A masked gay activist at a protest demanding equality for LGBT people in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011. Homosexuals and transgenders in the world's most populous Muslim country still face discrimination today. Dita Alangkara / AP Photo
A masked gay activist at a protest demanding equality for LGBT people in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011. Homosexuals and transgenders in the world’s most populous Muslim country still face discrimination today.
A masked gay activist at a protest demanding equality for LGBT people in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2011. Homosexuals and transgenders in the world's most populous Muslim country still face discrimination today. Dita Alangkara / AP Photo

LGBT Rights In Indonesia

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In Indonesia, the fight for LGBT rights has endured harsh discrimination from elected officials. The country’s Vice President Jusuf Kalla has called to cut funding for LGBT rights education programs and one lawmaker even tweeted that LGBT people “should be put to death.” 

Many activists have criticized President Joko Widodo for not condemning these attacks. Kyle Knight is a researcher in the LGBT rights program at Human Rights Watch. He joined us to talk about the ongoing homophobia in Indonesia.