Homosexuality and Law: An Alphabet -- East Timor

East Timor, Asia

East Timor is Asia's newest and probably poorest country. Indonesia relinquished control of the territory and East Timor became the first new sovereign state of the twenty-first century on May 20, 2002. It's just south of the Equator, has the usual requisite tropical landscape of palm trees, mountains and sometimes sandy beaches. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor and for tourists it's also expensive. The gay 'scene' in Dili is small, slow and mostly quiet. A few men are more or less open about their sexuality and a much greater number of "hidden" men, who take what chances are offered. There is very little knowledge about HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and safer sex.  East Timor is a Roman Catholic "island" among Islamic peoples in the region.  The RC Church has great influence, promotes a 'less-than-friendly' atmosphere in the country toward homosexuals.

Male and female “gay life in East Timor”‘ is legal. There was a clause against discrimination based on sexual orientation included in the original draft of the Timorese Constitution but it was voted out by 52 out of 88 MPs before the constitution took effect in 2002.



(source: East Timor)

Helele' is a East Timorese popular song about happiness. This version is a remix from the original and the one played by Topology during the Scope of Hope concert in the Brisbane Conservatorium on 24th October 2010.