Amir Tejo, Surabaya – The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) plans to hold its fourth Asian regional conference in Surabaya on Friday and Saturday, according to an organizer.

The conference will discuss crucial human-rights issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Indonesia and the rest of the world.

"We will share our experiences," Widodo Budi Darmo, program manager of private nongovernmental organization Arus Pelangi, said on Monday. "And also the latest updates of the groups' struggles in Asia will be a highlight of the conference."

Widodo said the ILGA represented 560 LGBT organizations in 90 countries, including Indonesia. He noted that even though some parts of society still rejected the existence of LGBTs in Indonesia, there was no law prohibiting sexual relations between people of the same gender.

He said that based on Article 28 of the Constitution, Article 5, Paragraph 3 of the Human Rights Law and various international conventions, Indonesia should not only accord protection to LGBTs but provide services for them.

"Even though Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world," he added, "it is not an Islamic country, but one with the principle of Bhineka Tunggal Ika," or Unity in Diversity.

The upcoming fourth Asian regional ILGA conference in Surabaya is expected to be attended by about 100 people from 20 countries. Participants plan to hold a parade after the conference to show the diversity of culture across Asia, Widodo said.

"The conference will be split in two. The part open to the public comprises plenary sessions and workshop discussions, while the closed part will only be attended by ILGA members, to discuss internal affairs and issues."