Jakarta, IO – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) activists from Asean will choose a different venue after their planned gathering in Jakarta was met with oppositions, especially from Islamic groups, per Inews, Thursday (13/7).
“The organizers of the Asean Queer Advocacy Week decided to relocate the venue of the program outside Indonesia, after receiving a series of security threats from various groups,” it said in a statement.
Th organizers said they were monitoring the situation very closely, including the anti-LGBT sentiment on social media. The decision to relocate was taken to ensure the safety and security of both the participants and the organizer.
According to the organizer, their vision of an inclusive Asean is based on the existence of a safe space for civil society and rights-holders to learn about the organization.
“Then to collectively exercise our right to freely express our views on whether or not Asean is advancing the human rights of our community,” it reads.
Indonesia’s social media scene erupted in uproar over the news that the Asean SOGIE Caucus planned to hold its regional meeting in Jakarta from July 17-21.
The organization’s Instagram account @aseansoegicaucus is no longer accessible. The flyer advertising the event has also been removed. (at)