Indonesian city plans to fine gay and transgender people for disturbing ‘public order’
The city of Pariaman passed the new anti-LGBT regulation
By Steve Brown
An Indonesian city has passed a law to start fining gay and transgender people for disturbing “public order”.
The city of Pariaman, on Sumatra island, passed the new regulation – which will see gay and transgender people fined 1m rupiah ($70) – banning “acts that are considered LGBT”, the Guardian reported.
With a rise in discrimination against the Muslim-majority nation’s LGBT community, the new legislation forbids “immoral acts” between same-sex couples and stops people “acting as a transvestite”.
Fitri Nora, head of the local legislature, said: “Same-sex LGBT and transgender people will be subject to sanctions and fines if they disturb the public order.”
Although homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, many anti-LGBT demonstrations have taken place in several cities across the country.
Governor Irwan Prayitno added: “At a minimum, we’re trying to prevent the population from increasing.”