Indonesia warns messaging apps to drop same-sex emoticons

Indonesia's government has demanded that instant messaging apps remove stickers featuring same-sex couples, in the latest high-profile attempt to discourage visible homosexuality in the socially conservative country.
     
The government move comes after a social media backlash against the popular smartphone messaging app Line for having stickers with gay themes in its online store.
     
Information and Communication Ministry spokesman Ismail Cawidu said Feb. 11 that social media and messaging platforms should drop stickers expressing support for the LGBT community, a common abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
     
Homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, but remains a sensitive issue in the Muslim-majority nation. At the same time, most of Indonesian society, which follows a moderate form of Islam, is tolerant, with gay and transsexual entertainers often appearing on television shows.In Photos: Venice Carnival continues amid tightened security measuresIn Photos: Former shepherd yearns for old job, becomes dog-walker in IstanbulIn Photos: Dazzling Rio carnival climax gives Brazilians reason to smile In photos: Turkey commemorates Rumi with 'Night of Union' ceremony in KonyaIn Photos: Ta?yaran Valley in Aegean region to become nature parkPictures released by the Armed Forces depict destruction in southeastern Sur amid clashes, curfewIn Photos: Marks of violence visible across Nusaybin after lifting of curfewIn Photos: Turkey celebrates Christmas Eve with services In Photos: Turkey provides assistance in rare UN-backed swap dealHürriyet's Sebati Karakurt photographs Diyarbak?r's Sur amid curfew and clashesIn Photos: Istanbul welcomes 2016 covered in snowIn Photos: Cities across the world celebrate New YearIn Photos:...