Rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment in socially conservative Indonesia has triggered conspiratorial claims online that a secretive "global elite" is using food and vaccination to alter people's sexual orientation. The false posts reference a so-called "depopulation agenda" that has been repeatedly debunked since the hoax gained traction during the Covid-19 pandemic. Multiple experts told AFP the circulating claims are not backed by any science, adding the narrative undermines public health and promotes fear.
"LGBT is a Global Elite Agenda," reads Indonesian-language text superimposed on an Instagram video shared June 22, 2026.
The clip, which has been viewed more than 700,000 times, shows a conversation between two Indonesian social media creators.
They say that since LGBTQ people are not able to produce children, they contribute to a "global depopulation agenda" perpetrated by a supposed "global elite".
"They change sexual orientation through food, drugs and vaccines," one of the hosts says.
Similar claims spread on TikTok and Facebook against the backdrop of heightened anti-LGBTQ sentiment in the world's largest Muslim nation.
Indonesia does not outlaw gay sex, except in the westernmost Aceh province, which imposes a version of the Islamic legal code sharia.
But targeted attacks are often reported in the Southeast Asian archipelago ( archived link).
In late June, the top Islamic clerical body said it was preparing a manuscript for a measure criminalising LGBTQ individuals and...
"LGBT is a Global Elite Agenda," reads Indonesian-language text superimposed on an Instagram video shared June 22, 2026. The clip, which has been viewed more than 700,000 times, shows a conversati...