Indonesia Mulls Ban on Gay Sex

Indonesia could ban gay sex after accepting a judicial review petition.

The Family Love Alliance is adovcating that a law banning any sex between an adult and a minor of the same gender should be expanded to inclulde all adults as well. The largely Islamic conservative group claims same-sex relationships is leading to "moral degradation" in the densely populated archipelago nation.

Family Love Alliance chairwoman Rita Hendrawaty said last week that the group's goal is not trying to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

"The real reason is so that we have much clearer norms," she said. "We are not intending to criminalize those who have a deviant sexual orientation. That is not the point. They can be free to live but not show their lifestyle."

Homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, but the LGBT commnunity still risks discrimination for coming out. In 2013 a global survey found that 93 percent Indonesians believe that homosexuality should be rejected by society.

Earlier this year, Indonesian activist Yuli Rustinawati received an award at the United Nations' first LGBT Gala for her work dealing with the new waves of conservative backlash that exist in the country.