Indonesia plans anti-LGBTIQ+ teachings in religious schools

Indonesia's government is preparing to introduce anti-LGBTIQ+ educational materials in religious schools and universities across the country. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will design the content, which aims to prevent the spread of LGBTIQ+ culture, framing it as a threat to national defense and religious values.

According to a statement from the ministry, the initiative is a response to concerns that LGBTIQ+ culture undermines religious values, human dignity, education, and national resilience. The government, under President Prabowo Subianto, intends to adopt a clear stance against the LGBTIQ+ community, viewing its growing acceptance as a danger to the nation's integrity and security.

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The diffusion of Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Bi, and Intersexual (LGBTIQ+) culture is one of the threats endangering the integrity and security of the nation.

The educational materials will be integrated into primary, secondary, and university curricula, though a specific timeline for their distribution has not been announced. The ministry also plans to provide pre-marital counseling to couples, emphasizing their role as the first line of defense against external cultural influences. Religious counselors will be empowered to identify and advise individuals exhibiting behaviors associated with the LGBTIQ+ community.

Furthermore, the government intends to reinforce religion-based sex education and disseminate sermons on social media to warn young people about the perceived dangers of LGBTIQ+ culture online. This move has drawn criticism from Amnesty International, which warned that such policies violate human rights and could foster an environment where LGBTIQ+ individuals are more vulnerable to threats and harassment from both state and non-state actors.

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These violate human rights and foster an environment where LGBTIQ+ people are highly vulnerable to threats and harassment by state and non-state actors.