Indonesia

Indonesia whilst predominantly a Muslim country in common with other South-East Asian nations is generally tolerant of homosexuality. A small gay scene exists in the country with bars and clubs in Jakarta, Surabaya, Jogyakarta and other larger cities as well as on the tourist island of Bali. You will also find that some gays congregate in the juice bars in the fancier malls of the larger cities. There is no specific mention of gays and lesbians in the laws of Indonesia. Gay emancipation has recently taken hold in Indonesia. The first gay movement organization was founded in Indonesia in 1981. In the early 1990′s LGBT organizations spread throughout the archipelago and in 1993 the first Indonesian Lesbian and Gay Congress was held in in Yogyakarta. Indonesia’s first Gay Pride celebration took place in Surabaya, in June 1999.