<p>Indonesia's legislation banning sex outside marriage represents a major new threat to the LGBTQ community's rights in the conservative country, where same-sex unions are not recognised.</p>.<p>"It's another nail in the coffin at the moment. A big nail," Dede Oetomo, an activist with the LGBTQ rights group GAYa NUSANTARA, told <em>AFP</em>.</p>.<p>Once enacted, the legislation approved Tuesday in parliament would punish sex outside marriage with one year in prison, while unmarried people living together could face six months in jail.</p>.<p>The reforms make it riskier for gay couples to live together openly in a country where they already face widespread discrimination and anti-LGBTQ regulations, according to activists.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/gay-couples-in-cuba-marry-under-new-law-1156686.html" target="_blank">Gay couples in Cuba marry under new law</a></strong></p>.<p>"Before the new criminal code, it was already bad. People can be searched even in their private residences. Although it was not systematic, but it can happen," Oetomo said.</p>.<p>Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country, and its constitution recognises six religions.</p>.<p>Homosexuality is not illegal in the Southeast Asian nation -- except in the police, military and in Islamic law-abiding Aceh province -- but rights groups say the legislative changes pose an inherent risk to LGBTQ people.</p>.<p>"Many LGBTQ couples have been living together under the radar, as same-sex marriage isn't allowed here," said Robby Nasution, a 30-year-old freelancer who lives with his partner in Bali.</p>.<p>"With the new law, this means that another right has been taken away from the community."</p>.<p>Kai Mata, a musician and activist, said LGBTQ communities were "bracing ourselves for impact and backlash" from the legislation, which stood "against our rights to exist".</p>.<p>The amendments still need to be approved by President Joko Widodo before they come into force.</p>.<p>Albert Aries from Indonesia's Law and Human Rights Ministry defended the amendments before the vote and said they would protect the country's marriage institutions.</p>.<p>Sex outside marriage could only be reported by a spouse, parents or children, drastically limiting the scope of the amendment, he said.</p>.<p>But Andreas Harsono from Human Rights Watch said LGBTQ people were "living in fear" in a society that was becoming "more and more conservative".</p>.<p>"If they are reported by a member of their family, their life can be ruined," he told <em>AFP</em>.</p>.<p>There are already dozens of national and local regulations that affect LGBTQ people, and some have been arrested on charges of lewd conduct under anti-pornography laws.</p>.<p>Last month, two Indonesian soldiers were given a seven-month jail term for having gay sex, which the military deems "inappropriate behaviour".</p>.<p>At least 15 members of the police and military have been fired in recent years for having gay sex, according to Amnesty International in 2020.</p>.<p>Last year in Aceh province, two men were sentenced to nearly 80 lashings each for having sex.</p>.<p>"Of course, I feel this country is not safe for me," said Gusti Arirang, 29, a musician who identifies as pansexual.</p>.<p>"I'm not pessimistic about Indonesia's future progress as I am trying to stay strong. But now I have more concerns and am more cautious."</p>
<p>Indonesia's legislation banning sex outside marriage represents a major new threat to the LGBTQ community's rights in the conservative country, where same-sex unions are not recognised.</p>.<p>"It's another nail in the coffin at the moment. A big nail," Dede Oetomo, an activist with the LGBTQ rights group GAYa NUSANTARA, told <em>AFP</em>.</p>.<p>Once enacted, the legislation approved Tuesday in parliament would punish sex outside marriage with one year in prison, while unmarried people living together could face six months in jail.</p>.<p>The reforms make it riskier for gay couples to live together openly in a country where they already face widespread discrimination and anti-LGBTQ regulations, according to activists.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/gay-couples-in-cuba-marry-under-new-law-1156686.html" target="_blank">Gay couples in Cuba marry under new law</a></strong></p>.<p>"Before the new criminal code, it was already bad. People can be searched even in their private residences. Although it was not systematic, but it can happen," Oetomo said.</p>.<p>Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country, and its constitution recognises six religions.</p>.<p>Homosexuality is not illegal in the Southeast Asian nation -- except in the police, military and in Islamic law-abiding Aceh province -- but rights groups say the legislative changes pose an inherent risk to LGBTQ people.</p>.<p>"Many LGBTQ couples have been living together under the radar, as same-sex marriage isn't allowed here," said Robby Nasution, a 30-year-old freelancer who lives with his partner in Bali.</p>.<p>"With the new law, this means that another right has been taken away from the community."</p>.<p>Kai Mata, a musician and activist, said LGBTQ communities were "bracing ourselves for impact and backlash" from the legislation, which stood "against our rights to exist".</p>.<p>The amendments still need to be approved by President Joko Widodo before they come into force.</p>.<p>Albert Aries from Indonesia's Law and Human Rights Ministry defended the amendments before the vote and said they would protect the country's marriage institutions.</p>.<p>Sex outside marriage could only be reported by a spouse, parents or children, drastically limiting the scope of the amendment, he said.</p>.<p>But Andreas Harsono from Human Rights Watch said LGBTQ people were "living in fear" in a society that was becoming "more and more conservative".</p>.<p>"If they are reported by a member of their family, their life can be ruined," he told <em>AFP</em>.</p>.<p>There are already dozens of national and local regulations that affect LGBTQ people, and some have been arrested on charges of lewd conduct under anti-pornography laws.</p>.<p>Last month, two Indonesian soldiers were given a seven-month jail term for having gay sex, which the military deems "inappropriate behaviour".</p>.<p>At least 15 members of the police and military have been fired in recent years for having gay sex, according to Amnesty International in 2020.</p>.<p>Last year in Aceh province, two men were sentenced to nearly 80 lashings each for having sex.</p>.<p>"Of course, I feel this country is not safe for me," said Gusti Arirang, 29, a musician who identifies as pansexual.</p>.<p>"I'm not pessimistic about Indonesia's future progress as I am trying to stay strong. But now I have more concerns and am more cautious."</p>