#wlii

The topic of gay marriage has always been something that can be considered as taboo in the Indonesian community. It’s not uncommon for an Indonesian to hide their homosexual identity, as the society will immediately shun them for it. I can remember during high school that a dear friend of mine was so afraid to tell anyone about the idea of him being gay due to continuous slurs from the ‘jocks’ that will abuse someone who they think are acting gay. I was the only person that he could confide into when I realized that he was struggling with his identity with the fear of being justified and punished for something that he was identified with. 

Even though I am not a homosexual or a transgender, needless to say, some of my best friends and some of the most awesome people I’ve met are in the category of LGBT. When the news broke that U.S. has finally legalized same sex marriage, the feeling of envy started to swarm through my LGBT friends who know that such liberal thing will never happen in our country that we call as home. It was not until one day when I was standing in the middle of a road filled with people filling the air with joy and gratitude in New York City last summer during the gay parade and I saw a sign that says, “Where Love Is Illegal” (WLII). 

Upon seeing the sign, I began to research about the foundation and some of the stories posted there about how people were being isolated from a community due to their so-called ‘sickness’ brought tears to my eyes. I immediately remember my best friend from high school who had to face his fears of being known as gay by our friends, each time he attend school. WLII started as a photo based project by award-winning photographer and human rights activist Robin Hammond. 

WLII believes that prosecution based on sexuality or gender identity must end. The program also believes that stories have the ability to connect and transform people’s thoughts to have open minds and change policies to end this LGBT discrimination. Read some of the heartfelt stories here.

If you know anyone who are facing discrimination due to their gender or sexual identity, defend them! For those who discriminate against them are the ones that deserve the punishment indeed. It’s definitely time to end this outrageous issue as love knows no boundaries, and one should not live in loneliness, excluded from any communities.