University of Indonesia Distances Itself from Student Study on Homosexuality

The University of Indonesia (UI) has officially distanced itself from a study published by the Student Executive Board (BEM) of its Psychology Faculty concerning homosexuality. The university clarified that the study's findings do not represent UI's official position.

The publication cited research from the 2008 American Psychological Association (APA), indicating no scientific evidence supports an inherent association between homosexuality and mental disorders. Although the post was removed from Instagram, screenshots circulated widely, igniting social media debates. UI's Director of Public, Media, Government, and International Relations, Erwin Agustian Panigoro, stressed that the student organization's material does not reflect the university's stance.

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We emphasize that the student organization's study material does not reflect the official stance of Universitas Indonesia.

UI reaffirmed its commitment to Pancasila, the national ideology, and all relevant laws. Erwin denied that the student board's review promoted any particular lifestyle, asserting it relied on academic references from psychological literature. He stated that academic references differ fundamentally from campaigning for a lifestyle, and UI does not support the dissemination of any lifestyle.

The university also highlighted that the core of the student board's study was to reject violence and persecution against fellow faculty members. UI reiterated that all faculty members are entitled to protection from violence, intimidation, threats, and doxxing, irrespective of their personal backgrounds. To prevent public misunderstanding, UI plans to strengthen its mechanisms for disseminating study materials under the institution's name. The university urged the public to approach information comprehensively and factually to maintain a safe academic environment.

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Academic references from scientific literature are fundamentally different from campaigning or disseminating a lifestyle. The University of Indonesia does not conduct, facilitate, or support the spread of any lifestyle.