More bad news from Indonesia.
Indonesia is about to publish a medical guide that will list homosexuality as a mental disorder, according to the the country’s Health Ministry. The guide is based on two reports – one drafted in 2016 by the Indonesian Psychiatrists Association (PDSKJI) and the other by the Health Ministry last year.
According to the guide, members of the LGBT community are at risk of mental disorders owing to their sexual orientation. Interviewed by Agency EFE, the ministry’s director for the prevention and control for mental problems, Fidiansyah, said that “the last touches are now complete and this year there will be meetings with the stakeholders.”
Earlier, the PDSKJI reported that gays and bisexuals are at risk of emotional problems, such as depression owing to identity crises, while transsexuals are susceptible to mental diseases. But it also recommended certain rights for the LGBT group, such as access to treatment and medical awareness.
The Indonesian parliament is currently discussing an amendment to the penal code to criminalize homosexuality in the country.
Homosexuality is legal in Indonesia, except in the Aceh province in Sumatra island, where the Islamic Sharia law is in force.
Warning from Indonesia: Survey finds most Indonesians feel ‘threatened’ by LGBT community
An earlier survey found that nearly 90 percent of Indonesians who understand the term “LGBT” feel “threatened” by the community and believe their religion forbids same-sex relations. A survey by the Saiful Mujani Research Centre stated that “generally, the Indonesian public views the LGBT (community) negatively.”
