Indonesia to deport US ‘digital nomad’ who tweeted that Bali is LGBT friendly

Kristen Gray and her partner arrived in Bali at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, enthusing about the ‘elevated lifestyle’ and low cost of living

But officials said she may have violated immigration laws by working, as well as suggesting Bali was ‘queer friendly’ and easily accessible to foreigners

3-MIN READ3-MIN

American graphic designer Kristen Gray, centre, her partner Saundra Michelle Alexander, right, and lawyer Erwin Siregar, arrive for questioning in Denpasar, Bali. Photo: AP

Published: 4:00pm, 20 Jan 2021Updated: 10:57am, 1 Feb 2021

An American woman and self-described digital nomad will be deported from Indonesia after posting tweets that sparked a social media backlash over perceived western privilege and lack of cultural awareness, after she said Bali was “LGBT friendly”.

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation and its LGBT community has for years faced discrimination and sometimes violent attacks. Only 9 per cent of Indonesians agreed that homosexuality is acceptable, according to a survey by the Pew research centre last June.

In a series of tweets at the weekend, Kristen Gray wrote about the perks of her decision to move to the tropical island of Bali, describing it as the “perfect medicine”, a place that was LGBT friendly, and where the low cost of living afforded her a luxurious lifestyle.

The graphic designer and her girlfriend arrived in Bali in January 2020 and wound up staying through the coronavirus pandemic.

“The island has been amazing because of our elevated lifestyle at a much lower cost of living. I was paying $1,300 for my LA studio. Now I have a treehouse for $400,” she posted, with a picture of her new, light-filled Balinese abode.