Roundup: After Brunei win, will George Clooney target Indonesia?

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…

The battle for LGBT rights continues in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Will support from actor George Clooney make a difference?

George Clooney: ""Are we really going to help pay for these human rights violations? Are we really going to help fund the murder of innocent citizens?" — George Clooney: “Are we really going to help pay for these human rights violations?”

ROUNDUP: INDONESIA

Reuters Openly news reported:

George Clooney clout seen unlikely to change LGBT laws in Indonesia’s Aceh

[Actor George] Clooney has won plaudits as a leading LGBT+ rights campaigner after becoming a vocal opponent against Brunei when the Southeast Asia sultanate rolled out Islamic laws in April imposing death by stoning by gay sex, adultery and rape.

Following diplomatic and economic pressure – with Clooney leading a boycott of hotels owned by Brunei – the oil-rich state [last month] said the death penalty would not be imposed.

Appearing on a U.S. talk show, Clooney described the economic pressure as a “warning shot” to Indonesia and Malaysia should they [repeal] similar anti-gay laws.

Representatives of Clooney did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment about his possible role in Aceh.

… Clooney, who led celebrity protests over the death penalty for gay sex in Brunei, is global ambassador for Nestle-owned coffee maker Nespresso that sources coffee beans from ultra-conservative Aceh in Sumatra where homosexuality is illegal. … Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest coffee-growing nation, with Starbucks among many global companies purchasing Aceh beans, Indonesian coffee industry officials said. …

Via ILGA Asia:

Dancers being attacked by an angry mob? Just the latest sign of rising anti-LGBT sentiment in Indonesia.

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