Prevalence of Stigma and Discrimination Amongst Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender Women (Waria) in Bali, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (waria) in Indonesia experience stigma and discrimination. The prevalence of stigma and discrimination experienced by 416 MSM and waria living in Bali, Indonesia and associations with socio-demographic characteristics are described. High levels of stigma were reported by 50.5% of MSM and 62.7% of waria. Discrimination was reported by 35.5% of MSM and 72.4% of waria. Family rejection, or no family awareness of MSM status, equated to higher levels of stigma compared to those where MSM status was accepted. Homosexual and bisexual waria reported lower odds of experiencing stigma compared to heterosexual waria. MSM who were not single were twice as likely to experience discrimination compared to single participants. Non-Hindu MSM were nearly three times as likely to experience discrimination compared to Hindu participants. Waria who were studying were less likely to experience discrimination compared to those who reported regular employment jobs. Specific policy and practice to reduce experiences of stigma and/or discrimination specific to MSM and waria are needed.

KEYWORDS:

• Discrimination
• MSM
• stigma
• transgender women
• waria
• developing country
• mixed methods

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to all ten research partners, three Bali-based public health experts, research participants, and Australia Awards Scholarship for supporting this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Derived supporting data of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. Access data set requests should be directed to Ni Wayan Septarini, [email protected].

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2023.2174470

Additional information

Funding

This paper is based on a research project that is funded through the Australia Awards Scholarship and administered through the doctoral program at the School of Public Health, Curtin University.