Jakarta: authorities ban male actors dressed as females because they seem LGBT
The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission orders TV stations to ban ambiguous messages on sexual orientation. Make-up, dress, voice, and behaviours deemed "effeminate" are proscribed. For Jesuit priest, LGBT "is a real fact and we must accept it;” however, “marriage is a private commitment between a man and a woman”.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) has issued directives for Indonesian TV stations ordering them to block shows that present effeminate behaviour by male actors, such as dress, make-up, walking, hand movement and voice deemed "effeminate". If the TV stations do not follow the Commission’s orders, they risk prosecution.
This decision is the latest step taken by the authorities against LGBT people, culture and way of life, which Indonesia does not accept, and is trying to ban in every way possible.
A few days ago, the government banned smilies from mobile phones with references to same-sex unions. This follows open opposition by various political and religious groups (with different emphases) to same-sex marriage.
In Indonesia, especially on private TV stations, effeminate behaviour by male actors is used to entertain and amuse the audience. This is commonplace in soap operas, reality shows and movies. The feature film Catatan It Boy (Notes from the Boy) was a major box office success in 1987 with a transgender character.
Some traditional Indonesian dances like reog in Ponorogo or East Java show relationships between a warok (warrior) and his gemblak (boy), whilst in the Srimulat comic theatre, there are always male actors acting like women to the audience's delight.
Fr Franz Magnis-Suseno, a Jesuit priest and professor of moral philosophy at the Driyarkara Institute, in Central Java, spoke out on the LGBT issue and the psychosis it has generated among the authorities.
According to Fr Magnis-Suseno, sexual orientation among LGBT people develops during their growth phase. “Most people have sexual desires towards the opposite sex, but it may be that 5 per cent is oriented toward the same sex."
"This is a real fact and we must accept it,” the Jesuit said. “We must not discriminate against these people just because they have a different sexual orientation."
Whilst reiterating that "marriage is a private commitment between a man and a woman with the aim of generating children", Fr Magnis-Suseno also noted that "sexual orientation is a private matter in which the state should not intervene."
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