The Formation of Homosexual Behavior in South Sulawesi Province (Study on Young Homosexual in Makassar City and Bulukumba District)

Homosexuality is emotional, romantic, sexual and affectionate attraction to the same sex. Many factors can trigger such behavior, including the influence of the social environment, friendship, past trauma and economic problems. The objective of this study was to examine the patterns of the homosexual behavior formation in South Sulawesi. The research method used was qualitative with a henomenological approach to explore the patterns of homosexual behavior formation in South Sulawesi using observation, in-depth interviews and documentation techniques. There were 5 research informants from Makassar City consisting of 3 young homosexuals, 1 companion as the supporting informant and 1 coordinator as the key informant. Meanwhile, there were 7 informants from Bulukumba District consisting of 4 young homosexuals, 2 companions and 1 partner. The data collected were then analyzed through domain and taxonomic analysis, while the data validity was tested through triangulation. According to the research result, it was found that there were differences on the triggers of being homosexual in Makassar City and Bulukumba District. In Makassar City, the formation of homosexuals was motivated by the influence of the social environment and the love trauma. This is because Makassar City is a city center where the activities of various professions allow the presence of promiscuity. Meanwhile, in Bulukumba District of which the educational background was lower, it was triggered by economic problems, in which people wanted to follow the current lifestyle but did not have the capital so they chose to become homosexual to get money to meet their daily needs. However, homosexuals in these two locations tend to close themselves regarding their sexual orientation in order to be accepted in the outside of their group.