Indonesia is banning ‘effeminate, camp’ men from TV
Indonesia has banned men from behaving effeminately or dressing in women’s clothing on television.
The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) issued a directive banning men from behaving “like women”, after receiving complaints from viewers.
The directive banned men from wearing ‘feminine fashion’ and ‘feminine make-up’.
The ban also included feminine body language exhibited by men, such as ‘walking style, sitting style, hand gestures and other behaviours’.
Men are also prohibited from speaking in a feminine way, depicting justifications or promoting that men can behave effeminately
The directive, is not only bizarre, but ambiguous, effectively banning all gay men from TV.
“KPI assess these things are not in accordance with the respect for the norms of decency and morality in society and the protection of children and adolescents,” it said on its website.
“Airing this content thus can encourage children to learn and/or justify inappropriate behaviour such as common in everyday life.”
The KPI issued a similar directive on February 18 asking broadcasters not to ‘promote’ LGBT practice or behaviour.
It defined promotion as “the title/theme, storyline, presenters and panelists containing the message that homosexuality is normal.”
The KPI’s is the latest directive is just the latest move against LGBT rights in the Muslim-majority country.
Just last week, the country’s leading mental health authority says they believe homosexuality should not be left ‘untreated’.
Indonesia’s leading psychiatric body has classified homosexuality and gender dysphoria as mental disorders – saying they believe the ‘conditions’ can be cured with ‘proper treatment’.
Earlier this month, Indonesia’s Communications and Information Ministry announced plans to ban Tumblr due to its ‘LGBT content’, after advising social media operators WhatsApp and Facebook to limit the use gay emojis.
In January, higher education minister Muhammad Nasir suggested LGBT people should be banned from universities if they engage in public displays of affection.
