Prodita Sabarini, Jakarta – Former homophobe Anton (not his real name) says he has transformed into a more tolerant person, acknowledging that gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transvestites are humans who have the same rights as anyone else.
"I used to agree with violent bashing of gay men and transvestites," he said. "I'm ashamed of the way I used to think back then."
Beatings of transvestites by homophobic groups were commonplace in the 1990s in his hometown, Bogor, West Java. "Back then, I thought they (transvestites) deserved it."
Anton said his transformation came about as he grew up, realizing in his university years that homosexuals had the freedom and right to choose their own path in life, however deviant it seemed.
Such attitudes are still rife, however, even in mainstream media – as seen in the initial response when reports emerged about the alleged serial murderer, Verry Idham Henyansyah, who happened to be gay.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organization Arus Pelangi head Ridho Triawan said the organization was looking to embrace more heterosexuals in their fight to eliminate discrimination and stigmatization of gay men, lesbian women, bisexuals and transsexuals.
"We need more heterosexual people to be tolerant toward people with different sexual orientations," Ridho said. "We're aiming to make a movement of heterosexuals against homophobia."
Ridho said in two years since the foundation of Arus Pelangi they have been focusing on empowering the gay community. He said their next aim is to reach outside the group.
Meetings between contradicting groups on gay rights issues are needed to promote understanding and tolerance, he said.
Arus Pelangi in March held a discussion on Islam and homosexuality which concluded that homosexuals and homosexuality are natural, thus permissible within Islam.
Moderate Muslim scholar Musdah Mulia of the Indonesian Conference of Religion and Peace cited the Koran's al-Hujurat (49:3) which says one of the blessings of all human beings is that all men and women are equal, regardless of their ethnicity, wealth, social position or sexual orientation.
"There were a lot of pros and cons after the discussion, but it's OK. It's a good thing to be able to have a rational debate in which each party respects one another," Ridho said.
The fight against discrimination has also been backed by leading contemporary psychologists who say homosexuality is not a mental disorder. This is in direct contrast to the dominant religious norms in Indonesia, which largely condemn homosexuals and homosexuality as sinful.
"For me, homosexuality is still not normal. It is wrong and people who believe they are homosexuals are sick and should seek treatment. However... if someone clearly has a cold with a runny nose."