160 homosexuality is mainly unacceptable. It can also cause social conflict. It is
considered as abnormal, an illness and the most importantly it is not suitable with Indonesian standard moral value, culture and social life. People sometimes seem
to know that there are homosexual couples who live around them, but they pretend that they do not know. However, there are also parts of society, who
cannot tolerate their existence at all. If they know there are homosexual people around them, they will gather the people to catch them and send them away from
their environment. They are considered as having a negative influence to the area where they live because this homosexual sin.
2. Lack of Legal Responsibility and Legitimate Rights for Each Other
Another lesbian problem related to their social environment is policies made by certain institutions and the country itself. This issue is addressed by one
of English language short stories, “Heartbreak”. It portrays how difficult it is to have or claim legal rights for a lesbian couple. The fact that many societies do not
consider lesbian partners as a legitimate relation, during hardships such as an accident, a lesbian partner is not considered a relative. For instance, the lesbian
partner officially cannot claim the right to be responsible for her partner. Stephanie is not recognized as Melissa’s relative when Melissa has a car accident.
As narrated in the story, after having a big fight, Melissa, greatly disturbed by the conflict with her partner, she got hit by a car, when she crossed a street. This
accident was seen by Stephanie, her partner, because she was near by. She and her friends directly follow the ambulance to the hospital. Getting to the hospital,
Stephanie ran to the Emergency Room’s registration desk. She asks for
161 information about the condition of Melissa. The receptionist follows the common
procedure of the hospital by asking what relation does Stephanie and Melissa have. Stephanie says that Melissa is her partner. Unfortunately, the receptionist
can not give any information about the patient because Stephanie is not her family or blood relative. Their relationship is considered illegal because they do not have
a legal marriage certificate. ‘Please, can you help me? I am looking for Melissa
Mathers.’ The receptionist looked up from her screen. Her face set
as she looked at Stephanie. “What relation are you to the person you are looking for?”
“I’m her partner” “I’m sorry, but I can’t give out any information except to
family members.” “I am her family. She is my partner. We have lived
together for the last six years.” “Ma’am, I am sorry, but we only give information to
blood relatives unless you have power of attorney as her legal guardian.”
“What the hell Please can’t you tell me anything about Melissa?”
“I am sorry, Miss.” Angrily, Stephanie turned and stormed toward her friends
who had followed her. “They won’t tell me a damned thing. Fuck I need to
know how she is.” HB, 62 This story openly communicates the problems which homosexual people
in general face in their social life. Even though they are partners and have been living together for 6 years, it is not categorized as family because there is no
married or guardian’s legal certificate. The same issue is also portrayed in one of popular lesbian movies entitled “If This Walk Could Speak”. It is about the
guarantee of lesbian life, though they have been living together until when they
162 die. But they still have no legal rights with their partners and they can not inherit
their partner’s property if their partner dies.
D. Lesbian vs Religion: Being Attacked or Discriminated Based on Religion and Holy Books
