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Abstract

The increasing religious conservatism within Indonesian society has propelled the growth of hatred and vigilantism targeting sexual minorities—which are seen as committing an unforgiven sin—especially towards LGBTs (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender). This study addresses the processes that these minorities experience in order to express their sexual identities and forge social relationships with fellow same-sex queers. In specific, this study focuses on the ways young gays begin to understand and develop their sexual identity amidst a largely hostile social environment. By utilizing social media, these young gays have built digital communities for socialising with fellow gay people, as well as to express their sexual orientation while remaining concealed from other parts of society. Yet, by being forced to keep a low profile, they have also been disincentivized from paying attention to promote their civic and citizenship rights. The findings of this study are based on several qualitative interviews with young gays living in the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Bahasa Abstract

Meningkatnya konservatisme agama dalam masyarakat Indonesia telah mendorong tumbuhnya kebencian dan main hakim sendiri yang membidik minoritas seksual—yang dianggap melakukan dosa tak terampuni—terutama terhadap LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Biseksual, dan Transgender). Studi ini membahas proses yang dialami minoritas ini untuk mengekspresikan identitas seksual mereka dan menjalin hubungan sosial dengan sesama sesama jenis. Secara khusus, penelitian ini berfokus pada cara kaum gay muda mulai memahami dan mengembangkan identitas seksual mereka di tengah lingkungan sosial yang sebagian besar tidak bersahabat. Dengan memanfaatkan media sosial, para gay muda ini telah membangun komunitas digital untuk bersosialisasi dengan sesama gay, serta untuk mengekspresikan orientasi seksual mereka sambil tetap disembunyikan dari bagian masyarakat lainnya. Namun, dengan dipaksa untuk tidak menonjolkan diri, mereka juga tidak diberi perhatian untuk mempromosikan hak-hak kewarganegaraan dan kewarganegaraan mereka. Temuan penelitian ini didasarkan pada beberapa wawancara kualitatif dengan gay muda yang tinggal di kota Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

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