It's getting increasingly tense for the LGBT+ community in Indonesia as the government steps up attempts to make life in the country more difficult for queer citizens.
It was , their heads shaved as they were dressed in men's clothing in what authorities referred to as "coaching" these women to behave like "real men".
The raid was referred to as "Operation Anti Moral Illness," which seems to align with the rising anti-LGBT+ sentiment Indonesia has seen in recent years.
Aceh is the only province in Indonesia where homosexuality is illegal due to the strict religious influences which last year saw two men publicly caned in front of a crowd .
Raids on , plans to on TV, a and the are just a handful of recent examples of persecution against LGBT+ Indonesians.
Now it appears the government may be making moves to criminalise gay sex acts across the whole country, expanding Aceh's punishments to the entire nation. The government also
In December last year, by the Indonesian Constitutional Court, however recent events have LGBT+ activists concerned that new laws will be introduced soon, aimed at reducing the rights and freedoms of the LGBT+ community.
, including cohabitation, extramarital sex and same-sex relations, have been drafted by officials and could be used to target the LFBT+ community.
A recent study found that , saying that their religion forbids any relations that exist outside of heterosexual ones.
