Miss Transgender pageant defies scorn in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Transgender people and gay activists from across Indonesia have defied a wave of hatred against sexual minorities to crown a Miss Transgender at a national pageant held in absolute secrecy.

A handful of journalists were notified just a few hours in advance of the location of the event, held in the capital, Jakarta, to prevent any attempts by Islamic hard-liners to shut down the pageant.

[...] because of the risk of discovery and violence, organizers asked those present not to post anything on social media during the contest.

[...] that reputation for tolerance has been undermined in the past year as the media and religious and political leaders stoked prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, framing them as a threat to the nation.

Indonesia’s police often side with or look the other way when Islamic hard-liners attack or intimidate LGBT groups, religious minorities, women’s rights groups and any cultural events they take exception to.