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Indonesia's President Finally Speaks Out Against Country's Rampant Anti-LGBT Discrimination

“There should be no discrimination against anyone."

As anti-LGBT violence continues to escalate in Indonesia, the nation's president has finally stepped forward to demand protections for the country's LGBT community.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made his first comments on the pervasive discrimination to the BBC.

“The police must act [to protect them],” Jokowi declared. “There should be no discrimination against anyone."

Jokowi's short statement comes months after a group of influential Indonesian politicians first began to spread anti-LGBT rhetoric throughout the country. At the time, the Human Rights Watch described the movement as a "sustained assault" against the LGBT community.

By March, the bombast turned to violence when government ministers and conservative religious leaders labelled the LGBT rights movement a "type of modern warfare." These officials encouraged citizens to attack and slander their LGBT neighbors.

“The impact of anti-LGBT rhetoric from government officials is enormous for us as individuals. For those of us who have worked so hard and risked so much to come out, it is a major step backward,” a lesbian activist in eastern Indonesia told HRW.

In August, a spokesperson for President Jokowi said there was "no room" for LGBT equality in Indonesia.

He added, “Rights of citizens like going to school and getting an ID card are protected, but there is no room in Indonesia for the proliferation of the LGBT movement.”

Soon thereafter, police began to call for the banning of LGBT-related phone apps and TV content that promoted LGBT behavior as "normal."

Dhana Kencana, Getty Images

SEMARANG, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 12: A resident pictured using WhatsApp application in his smartphone on February 12, 2016 in Semarang, Indonesia.Indonesian government urging Facebook and WhatsApp to remove emoji-themed gay or homosexual. Previous Indonesia also requested the application Line remove gay-themed emoji, and wish it was met by Line. The emojis - which are available on the popular apps Line and WhatsApp as well as Facebook and Twitter - depict same-sex couples holding hands and the rainbow flag, commonly used to symbolise the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.PHOTOGRAPH BY Dhana Kencana / Barcroft IndiaUK Office, London.T +44 845 370 2233W www.barcroftmedia.comUSA Office, New York City.T +1 212 796 2458W www.barcroftusa.comIndian Office, Delhi.T +91 11 4053 2429W www.barcroftindia.com (Photo credit should read Dhana Kencana / Barcroft India / Barcroft ...

“Jokowi’s long-overdue statement in support of LGBT nondiscrimination is a breath of fresh air as Indonesian officials and politicians continue their abusive and ill-informed homophobic onslaught,” Kyle Knight, LGBT researcher at Human Rights Watch, told Time.

“The thick cloak of social sanction created by the anti-LGBT cacophony of dozens of public figures won’t dissolve simply because the president finally expressed his support for basic rights,” Knight continued. "But it does signal that the Jokowi administration is keen on cultivating an Indonesia that is inclusive and safe for everyone."

Unfortunately, Jokowi later rectified his statement to the BBC, clarifying that “in terms of our beliefs, [the LGBT lifestyle] isn’t allowed, Islam does not allow it.”

h/t: Time

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