UI Clarifies BEM Psychology Study on LGBT Does Not Represent Official Campus Stance
Universitas Indonesia (UI) has spoken out regarding the controversy surrounding a post by the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Psychology, which discussed the results of a study on homosexuality. The campus has emphasised that the material is not an official statement from Universitas Indonesia.
“We emphasise that the study materials of student organisations do not reflect the official position of the Universitas Indonesia institution,” stated the Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs at UI, Erwin Agustian Panolog, as reported on Sunday, 5 July 2026.
The statement was issued after a post by the UI Psychology Faculty BEM regarding the results of a 2008 American Psychological Association (APA) study circulated widely on social media. The post stated that there is no research supporting the view that homosexuality is a mental disorder or a form of deviation.
The post was subsequently deleted from the UI Psychology BEM Instagram account. However, screenshots had already spread, triggering debates across various social media platforms.
Erwin stated that as a state university, the institution is committed to Pancasila, national values, and all applicable laws and regulations.
According to him, the references used in the BEM post are derived from psychological science literature within the academic realm. The university emphasised that academic studies are distinct from campaigns or the promotion of a particular lifestyle.
“Academic references to scientific literature are fundamentally different from campaigns or the dissemination of a lifestyle. Universitas Indonesia does not organise, facilitate, or support any lifestyle dissemination campaigns,” said Erwin.
UI also emphasised that the core of the study prepared by the student organisation was a rejection of violence and persecution against fellow members of the campus community.
In its statement, UI ensured that all members of the campus community have the right to protection from all forms of violence, intimidation, threats of persecution, and the unauthorised dissemination of personal data or doxing, regardless of background or differing views.
Furthermore, the university stated it would strengthen coordination mechanisms regarding communication materials that use institutional identity to prevent misunderstandings in the public sphere. UI also urged the public to approach information holistically, proportionally, and based on facts to maintain a safe academic climate.