Summary Dissertation

‘Unity in Diversity is not for us’ - LT+ negotiating gender, sexuality and Islamic faith in contemporary Indonesia, by Kristina Schneider

Summary

In the realm of Southeast Asian studies, "Unity in Diversity is not for us" stands as a seminal work that explores the intricate interplay of religion, gender, and non-normative sexuality in the context of contemporary Indonesia. This scholarly contribution offers an examination of the societal challenges and personal triumphs experienced by lesbi/ans and trans men (LT+) living at the nexus of cultural and religious norms. This study emerges from extensive ethnological fieldwork conducted in total over 13 months predominantly in Yogyakarta, Java. Employing a meticulous Grounded Theory Analysis of qualitative interviews, the book presents how the LT+ protagonists are impacted by and negotiate the incompatibility thesis, assuming an incompatibility of LT+ positionings with heteronormative religious and cultural core values.
The first main section explores how LT+ understand gender and perform it in relation to local discourses and how subject formation takes place. I scrutinize the sequential biographical patterns through which these individuals come to identify with the stigmatized category of lesbian. The concept of "desired identifications" illuminates the strategies employed by lesbi/ans to traverse societal terrain while mitigating persistent stigmatization. Moreover, this section explores the intricate relationship between spatial contexts and identity articulation, unveiling how gender performativity, societal ideals, and space converge to yield fluid, space-dependent expressions of gender. Moreover, I delve into the complexities surrounding the disclosure of the desire in diverse settings and the subsequent negotiations, resulting in attempts of normalization.
The second main section embarks on a scholarly exploration of the perceived tension between Islam and same-sex desire. Grounded in Quranic narratives and religious principles, the book specifies the arguments positing the incompatibility of Islamic faith with LGBT+ identities. In the face of common societal rejection and stereotypical explanations of what might have triggered the desire, the author complements alternative discourses advocating for compatibility and fighting for recognition. Through the lens of lived religion, I scrutinize the intricate personal negotiations of my interviewees at the intersection of faith and desire. This part systematically categorizes the different approaches of negotiation as modes of negotiation, each using personal resources and experiences and producing a self-concept reconciling their faith and sexuality, and a subjectivity that is habitable to them.
The books journey culminates in a societal macro-level analysis, which addresses the historical development of LGBT+ recognition within the broader context of Indonesia's engagement with the ideoscapes of Islam and Westernization. I dissect the dynamics of a postcolonial Muslim society enmeshed in global currents. Here, the book examines how the social construction of LGBT+ as a social minority, framed as a moral threat, has evolved in a landscape where the role of Islam in the state has undergone transformation since 1998.
‘Unity in Diversity is not for us’ – LT+ negotiating gender, sexuality and Islamic faith in contemporary Indonesia offers an academic exploration extending prevailing paradigms and invites scholars to delve into the complexities of Indonesia's ever-evolving social fabric. The Indonesian case is intriguing for discussions on diversity today. This work is a scholarly invitation to engage with the intricate intersections of faith, identity, and desire within the realm of gender studies and social anthropology. With its ethically reflected conduct of research and thought-provoking analysis, this publication promises to make a significant contribution to the academic discourse in these fields, offering fresh insights and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the complex interplay of religion, gender, and sexuality in contemporary Southeast Asia.