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LGBT seminar canceled due to threats

Jakarta Post - September 24, 2014

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Bambang Muryanto, Yogyakarta – The University of Sanata Dharma has decided to cancel a planned seminar on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LBGT) issues following a threat from the Islamic Society Forum (FUI).

"We have canceled the seminar," Sanata Dharma rector Johanes Eka Priyatma said on Wednesday.

The seminar, which was entitled "We are different, we are unique, we are one", was slated to be held on Sept. 27. However, last week the FUI threatened to close down the seminar by force, claiming that the subject propagated the spread of homosexuality, which, they said, violated Islamic values and social morality.

"The students were too eager to organize the seminar. They forgot that the theme could offend some groups in society," Johanes said. He added that no good could come of the university persisting with the seminar.

LGBT activist Renate Arisugiwa, meanwhile, expressed regret over the cancellation. "The police should have been able to provide protection for the people so they could better understand LGBT issues," she said.

Former director of the Indonesian Family Planning Association (PKBI) Maezur Zaky said a new perspective was needed on LGBT issues. "These issues need a new critical approach from the angle of human rights," he said.(dic)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/09/24/lgbt-seminar-canceled-due-threats.html-0.