By IHCP partner YIFoS (Youth Interfaith Forum on Sexuality)
Medan faces significant challenges related to stigma and discrimination against PLHIV and the LGBTQI+ community. Access to healthcare services is limited, as many people are hesitant to seek medical help due to fears of rejection and discrimination. HIV issues and LGBTQI+ rights receive little policy attention, with healthcare services lacking inclusivity and minimal public education, worsening the situation for the LGBTQI+ community in addressing HIV in Medan.
Under the Indonesia Healthy Cities with Pride (IHCP) program, we partner with local implementers who have a deep understanding of the unique context and challenges in their cities. In Medan, our partners, Perempuan Hari Ini (PHI), a young feminist organization, and Petrasu, the Transgender Community of North Sumatra, have worked together to take significant steps in tackling stigma against People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and engaging young LGBTQI+ people in transforming Medan into a more inclusive and healthy city.
PHI’s advocacy efforts, in collaboration with Petrasu in education and outreach within the community, have not been without obstacles. Armed with the results of a 2023 audience meeting, Perempuan Hari Ini met with the Vice Speaker of the Regional House of Representatives of the Medan City (Wakil Ketua DPRD), H. Rajudin Sagala, to discuss HIV/AIDS issues and secure a public anti-stigma statement in support of PLHIV. This provided an opportunity for further advocacy efforts.
The training on Youth-Friendly SOGIE-SC Healthcare Services marked the beginning of a broader collaboration between the young LGBTQI+ community and the Medan City Health Department. This led to increased participation from healthcare workers in various community activities in 2024. Initially, healthcare workers were reluctant to directly interact with the community, but they became more open after gaining a deeper understanding of the community itself. During the Public Discussion: Making Medan a City Without Stigma, the Health Department highlighted the importance of education and collaboration. “People who are not yet aware of HIV should be educated so that it’s not only those exposed to the issue who understand it.” – Imel, Medan City Health Department.
People who are not yet aware of HIV should be educated so that it’s not only those exposed to the issue who understand it. – Imel, Medan City Health Department.
Additionally, the AIDS Prevention Commission (KPA) invited PHI to collaborate in drafting the 2024-2030 Regional Action Plan, aligning with their future strategy on 3 Zero Program & to ensure that issues related to Medan as a Healthy City Without Discrimination are included in the plan. This collaboration also involves working with various other institutions, such as the Health Department, the Women’s and Children’s Empowerment Department, and the Education Department, to create a stronger synergy for a more inclusive and discrimination-free environment.
This has led to healthcare services becoming more open to collaboration with the community. For example, Medan Johor Public Health Service & Medan Deli Public Health Service signed an agreement with Petrasu to involve them in advocacy and a shared commitment to creating inclusive and friendly healthcare services for vulnerable groups in Medan. Following this discussion, Medan Johor Public Health Service invited Petrasu to participate in a Mobile VCT activity at the trans women hotspot within its service area.
Awareness campaigns on HIV stigma, including through social media content, art events, and public discussions, have had a tangible impact in promoting tolerance and inclusivity in Medan. After various events, such as the Public Discussion: Making Medan a City Without Stigma, strong enthusiasm was seen from different groups, ranging from young LGBTQI+ individuals participating in capacity-building programs by Petrasu & PHI, including those coming from remote areas, to other OMS participating in HIV advocacy in Medan.
In addition to significant changes, there are also small steps that signify continuous progress towards inclusivity. One example is PHI’s contribution to strengthening the already existing LBQ community, such as Bianglala, through the IHCP program. Although this community was formed before IHCP, PHI has provided capacity-building support, empowering LBQ members by involving them in discussions, taking on roles as speakers, moderators, and even recruiting some members as IHCP staff. This has helped create a safe space for the community and an open forum to discuss HIV, where they host more inclusive events and continue campaigning for the fulfillment of the rights of LGBTQI+ youth.
The program not only brought about changes in policy and healthcare services but also impacted the personal lives of individuals involved in the campaign. For example, Jeje, a young trans woman, shared her experience of how the IHCP campaigns and events have changed her perspective on self-empowerment in facing stigma and discrimination.
In an Instagram Video Podcast, Jeje shared that since receiving capacity building and understanding on SOGIE-SC and HIV issues from Petrasu, they have felt more confident in self-actualization. Jeje acknowledges the existence of stigma and discrimination and encourages others to continue moving forward together. Jeje is also actively advocating for the importance of upholding citizens’ rights to create an inclusive environment for gender and sexual diversity. Although they haven’t yet addressed this within the domestic sphere, Jeje is gradually voicing these issues in their workplace and social circles.
The collaboration in the IHCP program in Medan, particularly with organizations like PHI & Petrasu and government agencies such as the Medan City Health Department & KPA, has resulted in significant positive changes in both healthcare services and public policy. The campaigns and events held not only raised awareness but also led to concrete steps toward creating a more inclusive and stigma-free city. With continued efforts, Medan is expected to progress further in its transformation into a healthy and inclusive city for all.
The Indonesia Healthy Cities with PRIDE project (IHCP) aims to strengthen capacity for movements of young LGBTQI+ people across Indonesia to promote increased access to HIV services, reduction of stigma, discrimination, criminalisation and violence against young LGBTQI+ people, including young people living with HIV. This blog is part of a series showcasing the successes and change stories of IHCP, and on how our 100% community-led decision making approach has worked and how important it is for young LGBTQI+ people to be in charge of charting their own future.
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The impact of barriers experienced by young people with diverse gender and sexuality backgrounds in Indonesia emerges in the context of issues of human rights fulfillment and meaningful engagement in health and legal services. Discriminatory regulations and inhospitable services for young people of diverse genders and sexualities place them in a more vulnerable position to higher HIV infection rates, and criminalisation <<read more>>
Indonesia Healthy Cities with PRIDE (IHCP) aims to strengthen capacity for movements of young LGBTQI+ people across Indonesia to promote increased access to HIV services, reduction of stigma, discrimination, criminalisation and violence against young LGBTQI+ people, including young people living with HIV.
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