An Open Letter To Rita, An Islamic Activist Trying To Make Gay Sex Illegal In Indonesia

By Ezekiel Macnevin

Editor’s note: According to Human Rights Watch, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court held its fifth hearing today on proposed revisions to the country’s criminal code that would punish consensual same-sex behavior and increase penalties for sexual activity out of wedlock. Rita Hendrawaty Soebagio is the spokesperson for a group called Family Love Alliance, who are behind the push to punish LGBT people for their “deviant behaviour”.

Hi Rita, how are you? My name is Ezekiel MacNevin, I am a university educated homosexual man from Sydney, Australia, and am currently living in Bali, Indonesia.

I understand that the Indonesian Constitutional Court is currently discussing whether they will make gay sex illegal. Recently, you made a comment relating to this matter that made me feel really sad. You claimed that homosexuality causes moral degradation within society and that your campaign to make gay sex illegal is “purely because of our love for our nation… we must do something while we have a chance.”

I’d like to inform you that I am writing an article about the court’s decision, which will be published for audiences throughout the English-speaking world, and am including your publically announced quote in the article.

I was also wandering if you might like to answer some questions for the article I am writing. First of all, where is your evidence that homosexuality (or the LGBT community) leads to moral degradation within society? Below I have listed members to the LGBT community who have helped save the world.

Florence Nightingale (1821-1910) was a lesbian founder of modern nursing, saving thousands of life in the Crimean War, whilst laying the foundations for the modern profession of nursing. Her nursing practices are used in your country today, and have saved countless Indonesian lives. Do you think the fact that she was a lesbian makes her an immoral woman after all her efforts?

Hans Scholl (1918-1943) was the leader of the White Rose movement in Germany, leading opposition to Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime. Scholl’s group produced six political resistance leaflets, demanding freedom for the German people, and helped save thousands of lives in times of tumultuous and tyrannic bloodshed. Do you think his brave efforts in war, which could have seen him executed, should be dismissed because he was a homosexual?

Did you know that Leonardo Da Vinci, at the age of 24, was charged with sodomy but was dismissed because the men he involved himself with sexually were from wealthy families? Does this mean that, because Da Vinci was gay, we should burn the Mona Lisa or demoralise some of the most beautiful and historic artworks known to man?

There are countless members of the LGBT community throughout the world and in Indonesia who are doctors, charity workers, human rights activists, women’s rights advocates, athletes, celebrities and… well… the list goes on and on, Rita.

As a homosexual man myself, I worked in an Islamic community in Malaysian Borneo for months, where I helped communities generate income and protect the rainforest from annihilation, which they depend on for their survival. My family lives in Bali and teaches children English in our village for free, whilst helping fund numerous Indonesian teenagers’ high school educations through a donation program we have set up. I am a moral person and I love your country. Can you honestly tell me that it would be fair to make me leave your country with this decision, which is exactly what I will do if it is approved?

I have great respect for the Islamic faith, but you need to understand that being homosexual is not a choice. I’m assuming that you probably have not done much research on this, but here’s a link to one of countless sources that proves, through a thorough scientific study, that human sexuality (including homosexuality) is often influenced by genetics.

Humans do not have a say in their sexual orientation. Making it illegal will not change anything, and you will only cause suffering among people who cannot change who they truly are. This leads me to my next question. If gay sex is completely consensual between both parties, and does not involve a minor, why do you see it as such a problem? And by consensual, I mean that the human beings involved enjoy the act of having sex together.

Personally, I know for a fact that I was born gay, and have been homosexual for my entire life. I have no choice in the matter. Nobody does. And I have not done anything immoral because of my sexuality. In fact, I might go as far as to argue that I have done some really good things in this world as a gay man.

Because you are my moral equal, I would like to say that I have love for you as a fellow human being. I hope that one day we can meet in person and be friends. I know for a fact that the beautiful religion of Islam teaches you to love your fellow human beings, not persecute them because they are different. This religious law trumps all. If you are fighting for love in your country, I find it critical to inform you that this would best be achieved by loving, not fighting and oppressing.

I would also like to say that there are countless gay Indonesians that would love to be your friend and would bring further happiness to your life, if you give them a chance and let them. My final question to you is, after everything I have said, do you think you might be willing to reconsider your views towards homosexuals in the hopes that you might make an entire community of loyal and caring friends if you chose to support them instead?

I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’ve sent you a friend request. I humbly await your approval.