The Beginning of an Insightful Journey with Federasi Arus Pelangi
Twelve people, one mission. To provide a safe space and honor the voices of participants in a four-day Photovoices training that brought together 11 organizations from across several provinces in Indonesia under the coordination of Federasi Arus Pelangi. The program became a meaningful space for shared learning and exchange among all participants.
Each region highlighted the pressing issues faced in their communities. From western Indonesia, participants from Medan and Lampung shared their stories. From Java, representatives from Jakarta, Depok, and Tasikmalaya (West Java) raised their concerns collectively. Also, participants from central Indonesia—Pontianak (West Kalimantan), Palu
(Central Sulawesi), and Makassar (South Sulawesi)—compiled and presented the challenges from their respective areas.
The regions may differ, but their experiences echoed one another. Stories of rejection, criminalization, discriminatory policies,
persecution, and violence were revealed. They spoke of rights denied—the right to decent work, to education, to proper healthcare. Beneath it all ran the same thread: the scarcity of safe spaces and the near absence of legal protection.
And so, the question remained: “Where can we turn?” “Where can our voices be heard?”
Arus Pelangi has been answering those questions. As a non-profit organization established in 2006, Arus Pelangi strives to affect the societal norms and perceptions towards the LGBTIQ+ communities in such a way as to create a higher level of equality and respect for LGBTIQ+in
Indonesia, and to increase an overall awareness of
the rights of the LGBTIQ+communities as human beings and citizens.
The community organization has become a safe place for Indonesia’s marginalized LGBTIQ+communities. It has stood at the forefront of advocacy—challenging injustice, defending
rights, and demanding recognition for those whose humanity is too often overlooked.
“The shared values between Photovoices International and Arus Pelangi—especially our common focus on marginalized communities—were what first drew us to this training,” said Inno Shean from Arus Pelangi. “PVI welcomed us with openness and embraced diversity. They accepted us, the LGBTIQ+community, and created space for us to grow together.”
The four-day training concluded with the identification of 11 key issues by the participants, which then became the focus of a four-month Photovoices program with the Federation. Each participant went on to research and document their chosen issue within their respective hometowns.
“We welcome collaboration with partners who share our mission and help us voice the issues that matter to us,” said Lezta Wijaya from Pelangi Khatulistiwa, a member of Federasi Arus Pelangi. “I’m happy that PVI is now part of our journey—walking with marginalized communities to make our voices heard.”
To be heard, to live with dignity, and to be accepted without prejudice or stigma are among the most basic human needs that pave the way to humanity. Photos and stories, told from their own perspectives, can serve as a powerful medium to amplify their voices.
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