Rights Groups Urge Indonesia to Drop Status of LGBTQ Culture as National Security Threat

The Asian branch of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) has called on the Indonesian government to reverse a defense policy that declares the “spread of LGBTQ culture” a non-military threat to national security. As reported by MambaOnline , human rights defenders warn that this classification legitimizes state discrimination and persecution of the queer community.

In October 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto signed a decree on the general national defense policy for 2025–2029. The document officially equates LGBTQ culture with threats to state sovereignty and public safety, putting it on par with terrorism, human trafficking, and radicalism. The decree mandates various government agencies and regional administrations to coordinate efforts to combat this phenomenon.

Rights groups’ concerns have heightened following recent actions by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. In July 2026, the ministry began developing educational materials aimed at countering LGBTQ culture. The new program is expected to be implemented in Islamic schools and universities across the country starting in the 2026–2027 academic year.

ILGA Asia representatives emphasize that viewing sexual and gender diversity through the lens of national security provides a political justification for surveillance and intrusion into private life. Meanwhile, Indonesian conservative religious organizations and a number of lawmakers support the state policy, arguing that it is necessary to “safeguard the cultural resilience” of the state.