The latest gay serial killer case is gripping Indonesia again. The alleged murderer is Mujianto, a gay man from Nganjuk, East Java. He is suspected to have killed at least 5 people by poison, for jealousy motive. Apparently Mujianto was in a romantic relationship with his employer, but his employer had other boyfriends besides him. Jealous, Mujianto tried to kill all of his lover's lovers. Although 5 people were killed, he actually tried to poison at least 16 in total.
The media (and the public) do not waste time to start their gay bashing as soon as the case came out. All of them never forgot to mention the detail that Mujianto is gay on their articles, as if trying to make the point that gay is a murderous sickness, and that it is a sickness that will lead to murderous tendencies. Some of them cannot resist to make the linkage with another gay serial killer, Ryan of Jombang, from 2 years ago.
Gay bashing in public sites is even worse. Most of the online comments in news website, forum, and others are downright hostile against gays. Some call for 'total banishment' of gays, some call for 'reforming' them, calling them as the 'scourges of society', one that will be causing the 'wrath of God'. Some are worse than that, and I just don't have the heart to say it.
Gay groups are understandably distraught by this case. This will represent a major setback to their struggle for equal rights in Indonesia. Some try to distance themselves from the case, by condemning Mujianto.
I do think, however, that gay groups can actually use this opportunity to highlight the psychological issues of becoming a gay in Indonesia. I am saying this not because I am supporting the opinion of mainstream media who try to use this case to picture homosexuality as sickness. As a matter of fact, even though I am not gay, I sympathize with them. I support their cause. On the other hand, I think it is important to point out that this case is a representation (albeit in a very extreme way) on mental health issues on becoming a gay in Indonesia.
Becoming a gay in a group-oriented society such as Indonesia is not easy. Being gay is not a crime here, which is actually quite liberal compared to other Moslem-majority countries, but it still has a lot of stigmas attached to it. Gays are considered second rate people. Most people laugh at them, some despise them and don't want anything to do with them. Religious leaders call them a disease and a sign of degrading time. Media picture them as sick people. That is why some gays think the wise thing to do is to hide their identity and live a quiet double life: appearing as heterosexual on the outside (even getting married and have children) and becoming gay secretly. Imagine how big the psychological burden they have to bear throughout their life to lead a double existence like that.
When a gay finds love, it must be a very significant event for them, as for other people. However, it is even more so for gays because of how society view gay and gay's relationship. They have to make all kinds of efforts to hide their relationship away from the public eye. It is not easy to be in a relationship for gays, therefore they really need to be in love to be able to withstand all those obstacles.
However, when the relationship broke down, the pain will be even greater for gays. Broken heart is not just about investing so much time and energy for the other person and then finding it is all useless, or the feeling of losing someone precious and special. Broken heart is also about fearing that we may not find the same thing again. For gays in Indonesia, considering the circumstances, I suspect, the feeling is doubly greater. Maybe these are what Mujianto was feeling when he tried to murder his victims: lost, fear and hopelessness.
I am not suggesting that all broken-hearted gays have the tendency to become killers. What I am trying to say is that it is important to address psychological issues of gay people in Indonesia. They have these issues not because homosexuality is a disease in itself, but because of the enormous burden they have to bear due to the stigma society attach towards gays. The stigma affects them in variety of ways. Maybe it causes them to blame themselves for their 'gayness', maybe it gives them a low self-esteem. But what is important, the stigma prevents them to fully realize themselves. I believe this is the one causing all sorts of psychological problems for gays. Maybe this is also the one indirectly causing Mujianto to do what he did.
Gays have the right to live a normal life in society. They have been prevented to do so by our society for a long time. I believe, in light of Mujianto's case, it is important reopen the debate on the importance on giving gays what should be rightfully theirs: the right to live freely and openly in Indonesia.
News articles on Mujianto: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/pages/search/index.php?keywords=mujianto&x=0&y=0
News articles on Ryan, the serial killer from Jombang: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/pages/search/index.php?keywords=Ryan+Jombang&x=0&y=0
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