Bridging the gay-straight divide in pluralistic

Posted on August 24, 2008
Filed Under Gay News Blog

In a country where mainstream religions condemn homosexuality as ungodly, many have taken up a position at either extreme of the spectrum but few have actually attempted to bridge the gap.

Mardian Kuncoro, homosexual and proud of it, tackles discrimination against gay Indonesians by actively contributing to society.

“People in this country have terrible ideas about homosexuals, which I think is because they don’t know any better,” the 27-year-old, better known as Ardi, said on Friday.

In 2003, Ardi and his two partners set up a clothing shop in Jakarta with the simple aim of making an honest living and sharing it with the community.

“Our plan was simple. One shop would at least need one attendant. As simple as it may seem, we were creating jobs,” he said.

Their business grew and they established a company. Now, they own a caf‚, a hairdressing salon, a boutique and four shops, employing a total of 15 people.

Ardi, who has lived in Jakarta all his life, has long realized that good behavior is the only way to communicate to people that a person’s sexual preferences do not determine their character.

From 1999 to 2003, Ardi studied at the School of Propagation and Communications at Syarif Hidayatullah State Institute for Islamic Studies (now known as the State Islamic University). During this time, he was actively involved in various campus organizations.

“I also held discussions about homosexuality in Islam and in the Koran. At first my friends were uncomfortable with my opinions and heated debates would often arise.

Bridging the gay-straight divide in pluralistic Indonesia
Jakarta Post, Indonesia -