Ulema rejects gay conference in Surabaya

Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) East Java chapter rejects an Asia conference of gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities scheduled this weekend in Mercure Hotel, Surabaya.

Tempointeraktif.com quoted Abdus Shomad Buchori, head of MUI East Java chapter, saying the gay conference would trigger "extraordinary problem". At least 200 participants from Asian countries are scheduled to participate in the conference.

Muhammadiyah East Java also rejects the conference. But Dede Oetomo, gay activist and sociologist from Airlangga University, said such rejection is normal. "No religion accepts us, we will go to hell," Dede said. But he would regret if government doesn't allow the conference. "That would only show how bad our democracy," he said.

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