Is It Safe To Travel To Bali? Indonesia Criminalises Sex Outside Marriage… Where Does This Leave Us?
The Indonesian government announced new legal provisions in early December 2022, criminalising sex outside of marriage. As Indonesia does not recognise LGBTQIA+ marriage, where does that leave gay couples who travel to the country as tourists and are legally married back home? The new law has caused many to fear travelling to popular tourist destinations such as Bali, reports ABC News.
The new law also has the local queer communities concerned about their safety.
WHAT THESE NEW LAWS MEAN
On Tuesday, December 6, Indonesia’s parliament approved a suite of new criminal codes which now outlaw sex outside marriage, defamation of the president, and blasphemy, reports The New York Times. The updated criminal code is considered a setback for a nation that has been working towards progressive change for years; these new laws can be used to target religious dissidents and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Homosexuality is not explicitly banned in Indonesia but same-sex marriage is not legal or recognised. This means LGBTQIA+ individuals are now stripped of the right to engage in consensual sex under the new law. Moreover, couples who live together out of wedlock face heavy penalties such as jail and fines.
Bali is a popular tourism destination for Australians and contributes near to 70% of the regions economy. Balinese officials have been urging the public to recognise that there will not be heavy enforcement of the new criminal codes, which are set to be in effect three years from now, reports ABC News.
“There will be no checking on marital status upon check-in at any tourism accommodation, such as hotels, villas, apartments, guest houses, lodges and spas,” says Bali Governor, Wayan Koster.
The assurances come as little comfort for both LGBTQIA+ tourists and locals. Reportedly, prosecution under these new laws will only occur when a complaint is made. The overhaul of the criminal code has occurred as the country’s government aims to reflect Indonesian values, but in a country that is majority Muslim it doesn’t bode well for gay people that these values would disapprove of LGBTQIA+ lifestyles.
If a tourist or expatriate were to form a homosexual relationship in Indonesia, there is no avenue to legally live together with their partner or be intimate. Furthermore, if a conservative family member were to report said relationship it means heavy penalties for both involved.
Despite authorities hoping to calm the backlash with assurances that tourists will be safe, many LGBTQIA+ people now fear travelling to a country where our community has been marginalised.
