The LGBTQ+ community in Indonesia is under siege, with a dramatic increase in violence and discrimination following a controversial statement by President Prabowo Subianto. In October 2026, the president issued a presidential regulation that listed the promotion of LGBTQ+ culture as a nonmilitary threat to national security, alongside issues like terrorism and drug abuse.
This classification has emboldened anti-LGBTQ+ groups and led to a surge in attacks, particularly against transgender women and university students. human rights organizations and activists are raising the alarm, urging the international community to take notice of this escalating crisis.
Government Policies Fueling the Crisis
The presidential regulation instructs relevant ministries and regional administrations to respond to these perceived threats. This has provided a legal veneer for discriminatory actions against the LGBTQ+ community. Albert Wirya, the executive director of the Legal Aid Institute for the People, warned that this regulation has given both central and regional governments new legitimacy to enact laws that penalize and discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Human Rights Watch reported that harassment and attacks against Indonesian LGBTQ+ university students escalated during Pride Month 2026. At least 10 public universities adopted discriminatory regulations, curbing discussions around gender and sexual diversity. Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, criticized the universities for contributing to the problem by discriminating against students based on their gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Role of Religious Institutions
The Indonesian Ulema Council, a conservative Islamic scholars’ body, has also weighed in on the issue. In response to Pride Month, the council stated that sexual deviation should carry criminal penalties harsher than those for adultery. The deputy chairman of the group, Kiai Cholil, noted that there is currently no legal provision for punishing LGBTQ+ individuals, but called for stricter measures.
This religious stance has further fueled the anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, contributing to the rise in violence and discrimination. The lack of legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community has left them vulnerable to attacks and abuse.
The Human Cost of the Crackdown
The consequences of the government’s stance are evident in the increasing number of attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals. Pelangi Nusantara, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, shared details of a trans woman being attacked by an anti-LGBTQ+ group in the city of Bogor. The footage showed a group of men punching, kicking, and dousing the victim with urine. Several other trans women were also chased and stripped naked.
According to the advocacy group, at least 15 trans women have been attacked. Most of the victims are poor trans women who survive by working on the streets. The attacks have left the victims with serious physical injuries and trauma. The lack of legal protections has made it difficult for them to seek justice and protection.
The situation is particularly dire in Aceh, the westernmost province of Indonesia, where same-sex relations are illegal under Shariah Laws. Offenders can receive up to 1.5 years in prison. While LGBTQ+ identities are not criminalized in most of Indonesia, the lack of legal protections and the government’s stance have created a climate of fear and violence.
The international community must take notice of this escalating crisis and pressure the Indonesian government to protect the rights of its LGBTQ+ citizens. The situation in Indonesia serves as a stark reminder of the importance of legal protections and social acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community.
