Social capital, stigma, and identity negotiation among gay and bisexual men in Indonesia

This study explores how gay and bisexual men in Indonesia access, mobilise, and sustain social capital within a context of stigma, limited institutional support, and uneven community infrastructures. Drawing on in-depth interviews and document analysis of health-focused NGOs and LGBTQ + networks, it examines how bonding, bridging, and linking social capital are shaped by community network strength, socioeconomic conditions, self-acceptance, and identity negotiation. The findings show that access to social capital is fluid and unequal, structured by the availability of trusted physical and digital spaces and by strategies of identity disclosure and safety management. Strong networks support emotional wellbeing, resource sharing, and service access, while fragmented networks, economic precarity, and stigma constrain social participation. The study concludes that social capital is a key mechanism of resilience and survival for gay and bisexual men in Indonesia, underscoring the need for inclusive public health policies and community-based interventions that address structural stigma and strengthen community infrastructures.