Leiden University Student Repository

Sumantri, Kenny (2021)

A Queer Indonesia: Indonesia's Intolerant Views of Queer Identities: Influenced by Dutch Colonialism?

Bachelor thesis | International Studies (BA)

One may think the intolerance towards Queer identities in Indonesia is due to the Islamic beliefs of the country. This understanding is only the surface of the history of Indonesia and Indonesian identity. Indonesia being a former colony of the Netherlands for about 350 years, there has to be a lot more reasons about the intolerance towards Queer identities below the surface that has got to do with Dutch colonialism. With the existence of several queer practices and identities in Indonesia that goes beyond the understanding of the “Global Gays”, this thesis will discuss as to how the Dutch colonial regime could have shifted the understanding of queerness, by using the cases of the Lengger Dance, and the five genders of the Bugis people. These identities and practices still exist in Indonesia today, however they are not tolerated or accepted by contemporary society. Whereas on the other hand, the Netherlands are very accepting towards queer identities and practices. Using a queer and...Show moreOne may think the intolerance towards Queer identities in Indonesia is due to the Islamic beliefs of the country. This understanding is only the surface of the history of Indonesia and Indonesian identity. Indonesia being a former colony of the Netherlands for about 350 years, there has to be a lot more reasons about the intolerance towards Queer identities below the surface that has got to do with Dutch colonialism. With the existence of several queer practices and identities in Indonesia that goes beyond the understanding of the “Global Gays”, this thesis will discuss as to how the Dutch colonial regime could have shifted the understanding of queerness, by using the cases of the Lengger Dance, and the five genders of the Bugis people. These identities and practices still exist in Indonesia today, however they are not tolerated or accepted by contemporary society. Whereas on the other hand, the Netherlands are very accepting towards queer identities and practices. Using a queer and post-colonial perspective, laws, regulations, and cultural values of the Dutch will be looked into and will be compared with Indonesia. Even though the Dutch are accepting towards queer identities in contemporary times, I will try to see whether there are any influences or impact by the Dutch towards the shift towards intolerance in contemporary Indonesia.Show less

Queer Identities

Colonialism

Post-Colonialism

Cultural Exchanges

Author

Sumantri, Kenny

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

Europe

Supervisors

Ieven, B.K.

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en