We often hear accusations that LGBTQIA+ identities or sexual and gender diversity are Western fabrications that do not align with Indonesian culture. However, history shows that queer people have always been an inseparable part of this nation’s journey in every era. Here are some of those histories that have been successfully documented:
- The Queer Spirit of Toba
Batak Toba culture recognizes the story of Namboru Nantinjo, a descendant of Raja Batak who possessed two sexes (Si Dua Jambar). It is said that she suffered greatly because of her different identity, until she eventually drowned in Lake Toba. Her spirit is now believed to guard Lake Toba and provide protection for the people. - The Trans Shaman of Dayak
Several Dayak ethnic groups in Kalimantan recognize the presence of transgender shamans, such as the Basir among the Ngaju Dayak and the Manang Bali among the Iban Dayak. They perform rituals to ward off evil spirits and to guide the souls of the deceased to the other world. - Anak Jawi of Minangkabau
There is a specific term in Minangkabau culture for same-sex pairs, namely anak jawi and induk jawi. Anak jawi refers to a cherished teenage boy, while induk jawi refers to an adult man who shows affection. This relationship is often also associated with the surau, where men lived together. - Five Genders of Bugis
Ancient Bugis society in Sulawesi recognized five genders: makkunrai (cisgender women), oroané (cisgender men), calalai (women who take on male social roles), calabai (men who take on female social roles), and bissu, spiritual figures who are neither female nor male. - The Trans Wayang
The world of Javanese wayang recognizes a transgender character, namely Butha Kenya Wandu. This character is a female giant with masculine traits, created by Prince Puger of the Kartasura Palace in Central Java. - Lengger of Banyumas
The Lengger Lanang dance, performed by men dressed in women’s clothing, is believed to have existed since the era of the Ancient Mataram Kingdom as a form of reverence to Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice and fertility. Today, this tradition is still alive and continues to be preserved by younger generations in Banyumas, Central Java. - Thandhak of East Java
Ludruk art performances in East Java often feature thandhak, female roles played by men. This is believed to have originated from pesantren culture, which prohibited women from performing on the same stage as men. Today, the ludruk tradition continues to be preserved by trans women. - Warok of Ponorogo
Ponorogo Regency in East Java once had a tradition of warok–gemblak pairs in artistic performances. Warok were typically adult men who presented themselves as masculine and practiced ‘abstinence from women,’ while gemblak were handsome adolescent boys. Same-sex relationships often occurred between these pairs to varying degrees. - Gandrung of Banyuwangi
The renowned Gandrung dance from Banyuwangi was originally performed by men who traveled from village to village wearing women’s clothing and moving gracefully, and was therefore known as Gandrung Lanang. Over time, the dance began to be performed by women in Banyuwangi, as it is today. - Lesbians and Gays of Bali
In the late 19th century, Dutch colonial health official Julius Jacobs recorded the existence of homosexual practices in Bali. Relationships between men were referred to as menyilit, while relationships between women were called mencengceng juuk. - Gay Chinese Labor
In the early 20th century, many male Chinese laborers on plantations in East Sumatra were reported to have little interest in women. According to Dutch reports, “homosexuality commonly occurred among Chinese people living in settlements where there were no women or only very few.” - Mairil of Pesantren
Mairil is a phenomenon of same-sex relationships that develop among male students living in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). These relationships vary, ranging from emotional closeness and romantic attachment to a form of non-penetrative sexual behavior known as nyempet.
References:
Ariyani, I. (2025, January 6). Namboru Nantinjo Si Dua Jambar: Figur sakral dalam narasi ragam gender masyarakat Batak Toba. konde.co.
Satria Putra, B. (2024, September 28). Peran gender pada masyarakat Dayak. Amira.
Navis, A. A. (1987, October 10). Anak Jawi di kampung kami. Tempo.
Rachmawati. (2021, April 27). Mengenal 5 gender dalam suku Bugis di Sulawesi yang kerap alami stigma dan diskriminasi, apa saja? Kompas.com.
Tim detikJateng. (2022, February 16). Persandian tahun dalam wayang kulit. detikJateng.
Lengger Bicara Indonesia. (n.d.). Lengger Banyumas: Tari tradisional sarat makna. Retrieved January 14, 2026, from https://lenggerbicara.id/
Rumpoko, G. P. (2016). Thandhak ludruk: Transgender dalam seni pertunjukan (Master’s thesis, Universitas Gadjah Mada). ETD UGM Repository.
Ishomuddin, M. (2019, April 23). Relasi mistis dan sensual rumit antara warok-gemblak di Ponorogo. VICE Indonesia.
Khairally, E. T. (2024, February 18). Mengenal tari Gandrung, sejarah, dan pelaksanaannya. detikJatim.
Prasetyo, O. D. (2021, March 9). Orientasi seksual dalam memoar budaya Indonesia. KAVLING 10.
Putra Pratama, I., & Erlindawati, G. P. (2024, July 29). Jejak pelangi di Nusantara: Homoseksualitas dalam kebudayaan masyarakat Nusantara dan masa kolonial. Sejarah FKIP UNS.
Y. Kamiasari, P. Nugraha P, and E. Riyanti, “Gambaran Perilaku Mairil dan Nyempet Mantan Santri dan Santri Terhadap Pencegahan HIV/AIDS di Pondok Pesantren,” Jurnal Promosi Kesehatan Indonesia, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 82-89, Dec. 2016.