http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/the-failure-to-protect-the-rights-of-sexual-minorities-defies-pancasila-2/Author: Tanti Noor Said Source: The Jakarta Globe
Note prior to reading: "waira" means trans person (usually MTF), and "Pancasila" is the philosophical foundation of the Indonesian State written in preparation of their Independence, in a way, it is kind of like the U.S. Bill of Rights"Last month, members of a local transgender community in West Jakarta were accused of having brought bad luck to their neighborhood. . . . one night in April, other residents of the area protested the group's presence, using Islamic slogans and saying that the "sinful" behavior of the transgenders had caused the neighborhood to be hit by a fire months earlier. The transgender community was told to leave."
Said explains how transgender people have always been a part of the Indonesian culture but how in recent years discrimination has become very vocal due to increases in religious feelings of ->-bleeped-<- being a sin and how people feel threatened by the challenges to gender norms. "Their [the waria] existence, in fact, challenges norms and values of religion, the decency of the nation and heterosexual hegemony. Furthermore, the assumption that waria always dress sexy, talk dirty and are invariably involved in homosexual behavior is more a stigma that waria carry than it is a part of their personal character. The stigma that is embedded in their identity is considered by others as a threat."
The state though is doing little to protect their rights, even though all citizens have a right to "just and civilized humanity" under the second pillar of Pancasila. "In the case of waria, the state has the responsibility to explain to Indonesian citizens how they can obey their religion, but at the same time uphold humanity and human rights, so that waria can live according to their identity, while feeling respected and safe."
