Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Gay Indonesian Archipelago



Dede Oetomo: Welcome to the gay archipelago

Jakarta Post, Indonesia

Sydney may have led Australia in promoting its Mardi Gras marches, but this doesn't translate into widespread acceptance of sexual difference in the country next door. "Poofter-bashing" is still a hazard for homosexuals in some parts of a nation that claims to be liberal and progressive. So what about Indonesia, a land rigid with religion, tense with taboos? Some prejudice, but no fear or repressive laws, according to Dede Oetomo, the nation's leading gay rights activist, who spoke to The Jakarta Post contributor Duncan Graham in Surabaya.

- read more: gay travel blog