Indonesia

Unlike in many other Muslim counties, Indonesia is relatively tolerant of homosexuality. This does not apply in the devoutly Muslim province of Aceh, where the Sharia laws apply. No laws exist that specifically prohibit homosexuality. The age of consent for sexual acts is set at 18. As in many countries in South East Asia, homosexuality is a part of everyday life. Even in the media several prominent gay or transsexual people exist. Nevertheless this subject is low key and not openly talked about. Fanatical Muslim groups have been known to attack gay men, e.g. at an anti-AIDS meeting in Solo, where the participants were attacked by a masked band of several hundred people. Legal guidelines regarding HIV/AIDS do not exist. This is surprising as AIDS is a major problem in most countries in the region. Those infected with AIDS travelling to Indonesia can possibly be refused entry or threatened with quarantine. There is a gay scene with bars and clubs in Jakarta, Surabaya, Jogyakarta and other large cities as well as Bali. Another possible meeting places are the many juice-bars in the flashy shopping centres in all the larger cities.