rights
Remember when 2 men were hit with a cane 80 times each for hugging & kissing in private?
By Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation
· June 7, 2026
· 1 min read
Islamic authorities in Indonesia's Aceh province will hit a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old man 80 times with a cane for kissing and hugging each other in a public toilet. Witnesses in the Taman Sari city park informed police after seeing the men enter the same restroom in April, leading to the me
Why this matters
The sentencing of two men to 80 cane strokes for hugging and kissing in private highlights the severe human rights abuses faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Indonesia's Aceh province. This brutal punishment, which can cause permanent scarring and damage, is a stark reminder of the region's strict enforcement of Islamic law. The fact that the judge reduced the punishment from 85 strokes due to the men's politeness and cooperation with authorities underscores the arbitrary nature of the sentencing. The use of caning as a punishment for "morality offenses" in Aceh is widely condemned by human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which argue that it violates international treaties against torture. This case is part of a larger pattern of persecution and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals in the region, and it highlights the need for continued international pressure to protect the rights of marginalized communities.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 7, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Islamic authorities in Indonesia's Aceh province will hit a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old man 80 times with a cane for kissing and hugging each other in a public toilet. Witnesses in the Taman Sari city park informed police after seeing the men enter the same restroom in April, leading to the me
When was this published? This article was first published on June 7, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .