Queer Decolonization and the Metaphor of the Androgynous God in Indonesia: A Cosmological Perspective on Local Culture

Abstract

The narrative of colonialism in Indonesia gave birth to teachings that understand gender as a fixed and absolute attribute. The so-called "mythology of innate" gender is reduced to a binary dichotomy based on sex. A mythology that supports a system of heterosexism and has an impact on homophobic and transphobic attitudes. This legacy of colonialism also gave birth to the metaphor of God depicted as heterosexual-masculine, which established a patriarchal system both in church and society. This article explores queer theology concerning local culture in Indonesia. My argument is that through Ardhanarisvara cosmology, Watersnake, and Rangkong Dayak cosmology, Manang (Balinese) and Kodi (Sumba) Cosmology, this queer decolonization narrative contributes to contextual queer theology, especially about androgynous metaphors of God. God's metaphor has an ambiguous and transgressive character, beyond gender non-normative thinking.