On 22 June 2025, a joint police task force in the city of Bogor, Indonesia arrested 75 individuals for attending an alleged “gay party” in a privately rented villa. They were found in violation of the Pornography Law of 2008, that, while not explicitly criminalising consensual same-sex sexual relationships, have been repeatedly invoked (as have other laws related to “morality” and “public decency”) to surveil and target LGBTIQ people in Indonesia.
The Criminal Investigation Unit of Bogor Police stated that the raid was conducted following public reports of alleged “suspicious activities.” Authorities are currently investigating the event’s organisers. The detainees were brought to the Bogor Police Headquarters for questioning and were subjected to medical examinations including HIV tests; the results of which were then publicly disclosed by the police. This violation of privacy and bodily autonomy of the detainees is egregious and alarming. The dehumanisation and pathologization of LGBTIQ individuals continues to further marginalise them in a society where people with diverse and nonconforming sexual orientations, gender identities, and expression are generally not accepted.
This case is the latest in the trend of increased police surveillance into queer lives in Indonesia under the heavily contested Pornography Law of 2008. The law broadly defines ‘pornography’ to not only include sexually explicit materials but also any act deemed indecent and contrary to so-called “morality and communal values.” Earlier in June, police in East Java arrested two men connected to a private Facebook group for gay men with over 4,500 members. In February, Jakarta police raided a gay house party and arrested 56 men under similar charges. These incidents highlight how existing laws are being weaponized to criminalize consensual, private behavior under the guise of public morality.
The new Indonesian Penal Code, which will come into force in January 2026, does not explicitly criminalise consensual same-sex sexual relationships. However, it has provisions against consensual sexual relationships and cohabitation outside of marriage which could effectively criminalise anyone engaging in same-sex relationships, as same-sex couples are not legally permitted to marry in Indonesia. These laws risk further exacerbating the targeted policing and discrimination of people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
“We condemn the increasing persecution and criminalization of the LGBTIQ+ community in Indonesia, the framing of negative media coverage that targets them and the use of the Electronic and Transactions Law and Pornography Law by law enforcement officers. On the other hand, the new Criminal Code which will be implemented in early 2026 will further narrow the safe space for gathering, increasing stigma and discrimination.” – Arus Pelangi, an Indonesia-based LGBTIQ organization.
ILGA Asia is gravely concerned by the increasing trend of persecution of LGBTIQ individuals and communities in Indonesia. We urge the Indonesian government to release all detainees who have been targeted on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. This violation of privacy and bodily integrity of queer individuals by weaponizing public decency and morality is unacceptable under any circumstances. We reiterate that the government of Indonesia must respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all individuals regardless of their diverse sexual and gender identities.
“Every person deserves dignity and respect, regardless of their Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC). No one should face arrest, harassment, or public humiliation simply because of who they are or who they love. We stand with LGBTIQ+ communities and our members in Indonesia and across Asia, and we will continue to work together toward ILGA Asia’s vision, which is for an inclusive Asia where everyone enjoys freedom, equality, access to justice, and respect for diversity.” – Best Chitsanupong Nithiwana, ILGA Asia Executive Board Member and Southeast Asia Representative
