INTERNATIONAL
Indonesia Deports Queer Americans
Same-sex couple booted for “queer friendly” social post
BY TAT BELLAMY-WALKER
A queer American couple who were
living in Bali, Indonesia amid the
pandemic were kicked out after one
of them applauded the country as
“queer friendly” on social media.
According to the country’s immigration offi -
cials, Kristen Gray, 28, wrote in a now-deleted
Twitter thread that the country is accepting of
LGBTQ people. In the post, she promoted an
e-book called “Our Bali Life Is Yours” with her
partner, Saundra Alexander. The New York
Times reports that these posts encouraged others
to move to the Island.
Within days of posting the thread, authorities
arrested Gray for “spreading information
that could unsettle the public,” according to the
New York Times. In a statement, Indonesia’s immigration
offi cials told the Times the country
does not recognize gay marriages and therefore
these posts could stir controversy. One of
Gray’s tweets suggested ways of entering Indonesia
during the pandemic despite a national
travel ban. Offi cials are accusing Gray of “carrying
out dangerous activities” that could harm
the public.
Outside of Bali’s immigration detention center
on January 19, Gray told reporters that she’s
“not guilty.” Gray claims she was being deported
because she “put out a statement about LGBT.”
Last year, the couple moved out of the US to
fi nd an area with a lower cost of living. According
to the Times, Gray has curated a budgetfriendly
life in Indonesia.
The couple’s lawyer, Erwin Siregar told the
Times the duo did not break any laws. Rather,
ANTARA FOTO/FIKRI YUSUF/REUTERS
Kristen Gray looks on after being examined at the Indonesian Immigration
offi ce in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on January 19.
he said, they just wanted more people to come
to the Indonesian island after the pandemic is
over.
“They are good people,” Siregar said, according
to the Times. “They can persuade tourists
to come to Indonesia after the pandemic is over
without a cent of payment. We should thank
them, not deport them.”
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to support same-sex marriage in the months
leading up to the 2012 presidential election.
Following the inauguration, queer groups
expressed hope that the new administration
would be an ally in the fi ght for LGBTQ rights.
“It’s a new day in America,” Lambda Legal
CEO Kevin Jennings said in a written statement.
“The Biden-Harris administration is already
poised to usher in a new era for LGBTQ+
people, not only by undoing the devastation
wrought by Trump’s policies, but by pioneering
and championing unprecedented efforts that
send an important signal to LGBTQ+ people everywhere:
That we deserve fair treatment, equitable
representation, freedom from discrimination,
and equal dignity in the eyes of the law.”
Athlete Ally, an organization that defended
LGBTQ athletes in the face of the Trump administration’s
transphobic bid to sideline transgender
student-athletes, also welcomed the new
president and vice president.
“Today’s inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala
Harris as the president and vice president
marks a moment of hope for LGBTQI+ athletes
and those that fi ght alongside them for equality,”
Anne Lieberman, director of policy and programs
at Athlete Ally, said in a written statement.
“No child should have to fi ght every day
to simply be respected as a human being. For
the past four years, the Trump Administration
terrorized marginalized youth, especially Black
Transgender girls, perpetuated bigotry, and infl
amed division for kids who only want to play
sports with their peers.”
Immigration Equality, a nationwide organization,
offered a short and direct message.
Writing on Twitter, the organization stated,
“Let’s send a message to the incoming administration:
WE SUPPORT QUEER & TRANS IMMIGRANTS!”
GayCityNews.com | JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 10, 2021 35
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