Post #3957113

An anti-LGBT group is hunting down trans women in Bogor, Indonesia. They proudly record their actions. Claiming to be "cleaning up" the city, this group of men douses trans women with urine, beats them, and kicks them in the streets. The videos go viral quickly before being taken down. In the comments sections, many actually voice support: "Bullying, criminal acts, and mob violence are forbidden. But if it’s against queers, then doing all that is perfectly fine." Do you know why this group dares to act this way? Because this support stems from state-sanctioned violence against queer people in Indonesia. The government has officially declared the "spread of LGBT culture" a threat to national security. The moment the president labeled us a threat to the nation, the public took it as a justification for their actions—ranging from accounts dedicated to doxxing queer people to calls for our criminalization. The situation escalated rapidly. The state's rhetoric gave people the green light to commit acts of violence, both online and on the streets. Now, more than ever, we must look out for one another. To allies, the diaspora, and queer friends around the world: please show that you stand with us, even though our own country has branded us public enemies.