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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Queer Digital Nomad kicked out of Bali

    Kristen Gray, an American influencer and graphic designer, is being deported from Indonesia after publishing a viral twitter thread about her low-cost, idyllic life on the island of Bali.

    Gray said the popular tourist destination was “queer friendly” and encouraged others to emulate her move, despite the country’s rising number of Covid-19 cases, the national government
    extending its ban on foreign visitors, and its record of treatment toward LGBTQ people. Gray’s visa was valid until Jan. 24, but the Ministry of Law and Human Rights found she violated Indonesian immigration laws and the purpose of her visa by inviting people to Bali during a pandemic, selling eBooks, and charging tourism consulting rates. After Gray and her partner Saundra Michelle Alexander left Bali earlier this week, they were in immigration detention waiting for a flight to the US, according to the Associated Press.

    Gray caught the attention of Indonesian immigration officials after
    describing in detail on Twitterhow she and Alexander, who are both Black Americans, initially traveled to the country in 2019 on one-way flights with a plan to stay for six months. The couple decided to extend their time during the coronavirus pandemic, citing Bali’s safety, low-cost, and its “queer-friendly” and luxury lifestyle compared to their previous living situation in Los Angeles. They also promoted their life as “digital nomads” and entrepreneurs on several social media platforms as well as through a $30 eBook explaining how they moved to the country.

    Locals and critics quickly pointed out Indonesia’s
    record of discrimination, policies, and violenceagainst LGBTQ residents; its low monthly minimum wages; its millions of residents living in poverty; and how tourists and digital nomads like Gray were further exploiting the situation by not paying taxes to the local government on their https://qz.com/1960998/american-digi...ng-travel/amp/
    Warning: Be cautious if you are a fragile pink

  2. #2
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    I think she was really kicked out for stoopid, not queer.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    She wa slicked out for a number of reasons.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    I think she was really kicked out for stoopid and queer.
    ...ftfy...Bali may be culturally Hindu, but most of the rest of Indonesia is village Islam in thinking...

  5. #5
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    I've seen from some vlogs/ blogs that Bali is partially open - can get a business visa for 2 months (initially) then extend until 6 months.

    Re: the OP - bad move on her/ their part. Vloggers / influencers etc (generally) shouldn't comment on the politics, religion or social issues of a place, especially if staying long term.

  6. #6
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    A nom de plume is always advisable in these circumstances.

  7. #7
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    ^yeah, but these "influencers" are selling the dream life of being digital nomads, and they use their real names/ faces/ bodies on their IG or Twitter etc accounts.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...^"selling" is the operative word...

  9. #9
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
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    Digital Nomad.
    Indeed.


    Thought that phony fashion had played out it's 15 minutes some time back.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    I think she was really kicked out for stoopid, not queer.
    Edit: I just read an article about it and I guess it's not all about the queer comment. It's basically an anti immigrant take on the part of the Indonesians.

    The queer friendly comment was awfully stupid of her to say considering its Indonesia.

    If she followed the don't ask don't tell rule , she would have been fine

    Sucks for her. Imagine being settled and then have to pick up and leave. There's lots of other places for her though. Vietnam , Thailand Cambodia
    Last edited by Backspin; 23-01-2021 at 07:20 AM.

  11. #11
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    ^Most of SE Asia still closed to foreigners, or if open, have 14-day hotel quarantine & other requirements like covid tests & health insurance. Costs that most digital nomad millenials are not willing to spend. I guess they have to return to good ol suburbia in the USA...

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
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    Just another victim of social media types who can't keep their mouths...shut. As has been said stupid is, as stupid does.

  13. #13
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    But..but..but.... freedom of speech. They be Americans. Someone call Trump! Or...er... Biden.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neverna View Post
    But..but..but.... freedom of speech
    ...in Indonesia?

  15. #15
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    It looks like tc got it, nev.

    The person concerned is being deported.

    Hardly the end of the world, and in the 'influencer' game there's no such thing as bad publicity.

  16. #16
    . Neverna's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...in Indonesia?
    Exactly. It ain't Texas. But lots of Americans seem to think they can export their values, laws and alleged freedoms outside of the USA, and/or that Americans should be able to do what they like anywhere in the world simply because they are Americans. That was my point; apparently missed by you and cyrille. Carry on.

  17. #17
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    You are mistaken.

    I understood your post perfectly, and if you had read my post more attentively it would have been clear.

    Carry on being a crotchety old maid, however.

    It's kind of cute.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...ftfy...Bali may be culturally Hindu, but most of the rest of Indonesia is village Islam in thinking...
    Too much of a generalisation. It is a vast country where the people, even among Muslim dominated populations are widely different in their outlook, behaviors and religious persuasion.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat VocalNeal's Avatar
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    Indonesians tend to be a little bit understated. Even their language is softer and doesn't sound quite so strident. They are allowed to critises, just not individuals.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...in Indonesia?


  21. #21
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Indeed.

    'An unfortunate generalisation' is also one of his favourite phrases, but he's planted some huge ones there.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neverna View Post
    But lots of post-colonial Caucasians seem to think they can export their values, laws and alleged freedoms
    ...ftfy...such an attitude is not specific to Americans...

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    I've seen from some vlogs/ blogs that Bali is partially open - can get a business visa for 2 months (initially) then extend until 6 months.

    Re: the OP - bad move on her/ their part. Vloggers / influencers etc (generally) shouldn't comment on the politics, religion or social issues of a place, especially if staying long term.
    Not at the moment it isn't, they shut it down until January 28th at least.

  24. #24
    I Amn't In Jail PlanK's Avatar
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    Kristen Gray, an American influencer

    Why didn't she use her superpower to influence the authorities?
    Can an American influencer only influence Americans?


    And now she's a criminal, or maybe she always has been?

    Queer Digital Nomad kicked out of Bali-aym038w_460s-jpg

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by VocalNeal View Post
    Just another victim of social media types who can't keep their mouths...shut. As has been said stupid is, as stupid does.
    What do you mean "victim"?

    She bragged online and in her "e-book" about how to circumvent Covid visa restrictions and avoid paying tax.

    That's why she is being thrown out. Asia should mop up the rest of these tax-dodging parasites and deport them as well.

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