Travel influencer Kristen Gray, who spent 2020 in Bali and went viral for a Twitter thread encouraging others to move to the Indonesian island, is now being deported, multiple outlets report.
The 28-year-old self-described “digital nomad” and her girlfriend Saundra Alexander, 30, are, as of Wednesday morning, awaiting a flight back to the United States while in immigration detention, according to the Associated Press.
Gray’s viral Twitter thread caught the attention of the local government, which claims she was carrying out business endeavors in Bali without having the correct visa to do so.
Kristen Gray and her girlfriend had been living in Bali, an island in Indonesia with a large tourism industry, for about a year as “digital nomads”
But her recent Twitter thread about her experience in Bali while promoting the sale of the couple’s e-book received huge backlash
Image credits: kristentootie
Indonesia has restricted foreigners from coming to the country since Jan. 1 to control the spread of Covid, and public activities have been restricted on the islands of Java and Bali
Her tweets were considered to have “disseminated information disturbing to the public,” which was the basis for her deportation, said Jamaruli Manihuruk, chief of the Bali regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
A statement from the office highlighted her descriptions of Bali providing comfort for LGBT and being easily accessible during the pandemic. It also referenced tweets with links to her e-book, which had direct links to agents who were offering help to foreigners who wanted to move to the island.
“She stated that she could provide easy access to Bali through the recommended agency and offered the low living costs in Bali, that it is comfortable and LGBTQ-friendly,” Manihuruk said at a news conference Tuesday.
Gray supposedly was offering an e-book costing $30 and a follow-up consultation about becoming an expatriate in Bali for $50. “She is suspected of carrying out business activities by selling e-books and put a rate for consulting (about) Bali tourism,” Manihuruk said.
Gray, however, thinks she did nothing wrong and is being deported for speaking out about LGBT
Image credits: nuicemedia
“I am not guilty,” Gray told reporters after Immigration officials announced the deportation. “I have not overstayed my (tourist) visa. I am not making money in Indonesian rupiah. I put out a statement about LGBT and I am deported because of LGBT.”
While homosexuality is technically legal in Indonesia (except Aceh, a province with strict Islamic laws), there has been a disturbing rise in persecution against LGBT individuals in recent years, which international NGO Human Rights Watch labeled as an “anti-LGBT moral panic” in 2018.
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that only around 9 percent of Indonesians say homosexuality should be accepted.
Social psychologist Benny Siauw personally thinks the way Gray mentioned Bali as a queer-friendly place is highly ignorant. “She was not aware of her privileges as a foreigner, with a stronger currency that gives her more safety compared to the underprivileged local LGBT people,” Siauw told Bored Panda. “Here, the LGBT communities have been facing persecutions and other forms of discrimination long before she came [to the country].”
“Every time there’s sensational news about LGBT, the homophobes use it as an opportunity to show up on social media and speak out loud with so much hate. Of course, at the very least this leads to unnecessary distress for local LGBT people,” Siauw explained. “It is a daily struggle for them, whether we’re talking about family or peer acceptance. That being said, every time big LGBT news breaks out, everything becomes much harder for them, especially in such challenging times like this pandemic.”
The psychologist said that numerous people have contacted him, expressing how sick and tired they’ve become to find themselves in this situation. “They already have enough homophobia to deal with in their lives. Nobody needs that hate in the first place. In a country where conversion therapy has been promoted, this whole ordeal might lead to further self-stigmatization … and we know that this process might also lead to self-hate that directly causes a lot of mental distress.”
“With all of these considerations, I really hope that media platforms, both national and international, would be more careful in covering this case. Especially when it comes to clickbait titles [about Gray being deported because of her LGBT statement] because it is a very gross oversimplification of the whole thing,” Siauw said.
Image credits: nuicemedia
Twitter immediately started reacting to the news
Image credits: evelynvwoodsen
Image credits: sailorfemme
Image credits: mack_a_d00
Image credits: agniasambara
Image credits: enbyrgmanesque
Image credits: kaimatamusic
Image credits: ProfMelankolis
Image credits: DragonflyJonez
Image credits: redfolklore
Image credits: stevanicaa
Image credits: debatante
Image credits: virginsk8rboi
Image credits: fanhaer
Image credits: cestlafemmenoir
Image credits: tilehopper
Image credits: TheeArcher13
Image credits: gruusomeflower
Deported after not paying taxes and publicly encouraging others to come do the same thing? Inconceivable! Oh it's a conspiracy because she's black/gay/female/... -- in this case, not.
Yup...she's trying to play any kind of minority card here but the fact is her actions are to blame, nothing more.
Her stupidity and attention seeking are to blame.
Wendillon Good response!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
snmandarinchinese ?
And she does have them all if you think about it.
That's almost always the case no matter where people live. People don't want to take responsibility for their actions, so they claim victim status instead. Gross.
stalwart1 ?
Agreed. And to be stupid enough to brag about it and monetize it. Then pull the "I'm persecuted because I'm gay" card. Clearly she needs to travel a bit more and familiarize herself with culture, custom, and laws of other countries before she writes a book on her nonsense.
Bro like I'm queer and I think that card should be burned in a fire.
Especially if it is being used against something illegal such as overstaying your VISA or not paying taxes.
TBH, was a bit of a rollercoaster article -- first "Influencer? Hate her already!" then "LGTB in an increasingly intolerant country? (Bali historically Hindu but dwarfed and ruled by Java next door) Oh no injustice!!" but then "Well, publicising fraud guide? Essentially, how to live comfortably while parasitising a poorer country!?!" so that was easy --- influencer = bad.
Love this. However, I feel like she would learn nothing from more travel. She is very apparently wearing her "I'm Black and Queer" card ahead of 'we are all Human Beings'. Forgetting simple things like, "keep it to yourself". Or- NO ONE CARES. Just one more person at the end of the day putting a s**t stain on all of the work done in 2020 with PEACEFUL protests for BLM, and the LGBTQ efforts over the last few years.
agree. i generally hate anyone who calls oneself "influencer". they're most of the times lazy a$$holes with nothing genuine.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Thank you for instantly judging someone on the basis of the fact that they are an influencer and definitely not a human being capable of making mistakes. I mean, personally I hate most influencers but she is a far cry from the typical Kardashian narcissist with butt implants. Gay black average-looking female, said a few stupid things but the majority of her posts are relatively tame and generally positive. Yes, she pulled the LGBTQ black card at the wrong time, but that doesn't make her instantly an awful person worthy of hate. She was moreso ignorant than actively committing fraud, and maybe she shouldn't have moved to a foreign country on a whim, maybe she shouldn't have advertised that fact so excessively, but she's still a human being and deserves compassion. You're relegating her to the level of a neo-nazi just because you haven't been handed the same opportunities in life from luck/skill, and simply see this as a way too boost your own ego and 'moral superiority'
Ummmm.... She's stupid & that's why we hate her. Simple.
@RavenClaw - only trans, plus-size and disabled is left I think, then she'd have the full fat wallet of cards.
Nah, she listed several chronic conditions in the thread, so now only trans and plus size are left
I know these two not exact comparisons. But in the USA there are millions of non citizens that do not pay taxes, bring their friends and family over, encourage more to come, and will not get deported. Maybe she thought it was the same in all countries.
That’s literally what I was thinking when reading most of the comments. Can’t help but wonder how many of those admonishing her for being an illegal....are the same “woke” bleeding hearts that defend and excuse the millions of illegals invading America as we speak.
It's an ok comparison but the difference is that indonesia is a developing country and America is not. I mean some places here are literally night and day. One city has skyscrapers the other city only uses candles for light at night and zero electricity. Therefore when these Americans come to Indonesia they will always be one step ahead most of the locals.
yep
She claims the country is queer-friendly and also that she's getting deported because she's LGBT. Something seriously doesn't add up.
It's kind of strange that you live in a country known to be homophobic and you're not noticing it. Says a lot about how she interacted with the local population.
Or like living in a very tolerant country where no matter your race you can still be able to be successful and you still complain or racism... I wonder why progressives think USA is racist and yet many Africans or is Latinos do the unthinkable to come to this wonderful county. God bless America.
@Maria G you know, there are many, many, many white immigrants that come illegally from europe to america and yet they aren't being put in cages for "the unthinkable". nobody says anything about it. nobody cares when it's white people.
Bullshit. I personally watched some white Romanians who over stayed their visa get deported. They don't deport colored people.
They don't deport colored people? A) colored?! That's telling. B) yes, yes poc get deported from the USA. It is scary to see the blinders some Americans wear so willingly. Your country is fine. But if you think you are some dream goal of the world I feel bad for you. I would not personally want to live in America unless my country was somehow obliterated, and there were no other culturally matched countries 🤷♀️ I can't understand a country that thinks medical care is a luxury, and customers should supplement wages that can hardly even be called a wage
POC is the same as saying Colored. So don't think so highly of yourself
the word 'colored' hasn't been used for half a century, how did that even make it's way into your vocabulary
Because that's what half my generation is calling themselves. People of Color aka colored people. I hate that term.
Says who? You know you made these cages? Obama. And it's a detention center. Many kids have been saved from human trafficking this way. And there is a program that trump signed to allow us Americans to foster these kids.
Maria, the comment you replied to is so very, very relevant to yours - "it's kind of strange that you live in a country built upon and maintained through racism, but don't notice it..."
I would guess that everyone was "queer-friendly" towards her because they wanted her $$$. Locals don't get such a VIP treatment.
People need to stop bragging on social media
Amen. There are a lot of foot-shooting-people out there.
SHHHH don't TELL them, they might stop and THEN how would we avoid them?
This one shot herself in the face. Hah!
Many an idiot got caught during early lockdowns, travel bans, and quarantine requirements early on because of their inability to stay off social media with their narcissism.
Truth. If she had just kept her head down, she'd still be living the dream.
She got greedy, trying to make money out of teaching other people how to live her freeloader lifestyle.
Random Panda +
Agreed. Especially these “influencers.”
I have to wonder just who they're influencing.
Other idiots
That's how these lazy 6itches make a living. Boasting all-day on insta or whatever new fad is out..and telling people how clever they are. I remember a book the used to sell in the 70 in the readers digest. How to become a millionaire, you wanna know what advice the book have, write a 7uncking book a****. Same goes for a book a read about gambling and beating the roulette/poker/BJ etc. The guy was an ex gambler. How to make money in the gaming industry. WRITE A BOOK ABOUT WINNING AT THE ROULETTE
Bïtches, fůcking ãsshøle... though the use of numbers is smart too.
yeeesss
Deported after not paying taxes and publicly encouraging others to come do the same thing? Inconceivable! Oh it's a conspiracy because she's black/gay/female/... -- in this case, not.
Yup...she's trying to play any kind of minority card here but the fact is her actions are to blame, nothing more.
Her stupidity and attention seeking are to blame.
Wendillon Good response!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
snmandarinchinese ?
And she does have them all if you think about it.
That's almost always the case no matter where people live. People don't want to take responsibility for their actions, so they claim victim status instead. Gross.
stalwart1 ?
Agreed. And to be stupid enough to brag about it and monetize it. Then pull the "I'm persecuted because I'm gay" card. Clearly she needs to travel a bit more and familiarize herself with culture, custom, and laws of other countries before she writes a book on her nonsense.
Bro like I'm queer and I think that card should be burned in a fire.
Especially if it is being used against something illegal such as overstaying your VISA or not paying taxes.
TBH, was a bit of a rollercoaster article -- first "Influencer? Hate her already!" then "LGTB in an increasingly intolerant country? (Bali historically Hindu but dwarfed and ruled by Java next door) Oh no injustice!!" but then "Well, publicising fraud guide? Essentially, how to live comfortably while parasitising a poorer country!?!" so that was easy --- influencer = bad.
Love this. However, I feel like she would learn nothing from more travel. She is very apparently wearing her "I'm Black and Queer" card ahead of 'we are all Human Beings'. Forgetting simple things like, "keep it to yourself". Or- NO ONE CARES. Just one more person at the end of the day putting a s**t stain on all of the work done in 2020 with PEACEFUL protests for BLM, and the LGBTQ efforts over the last few years.
agree. i generally hate anyone who calls oneself "influencer". they're most of the times lazy a$$holes with nothing genuine.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Thank you for instantly judging someone on the basis of the fact that they are an influencer and definitely not a human being capable of making mistakes. I mean, personally I hate most influencers but she is a far cry from the typical Kardashian narcissist with butt implants. Gay black average-looking female, said a few stupid things but the majority of her posts are relatively tame and generally positive. Yes, she pulled the LGBTQ black card at the wrong time, but that doesn't make her instantly an awful person worthy of hate. She was moreso ignorant than actively committing fraud, and maybe she shouldn't have moved to a foreign country on a whim, maybe she shouldn't have advertised that fact so excessively, but she's still a human being and deserves compassion. You're relegating her to the level of a neo-nazi just because you haven't been handed the same opportunities in life from luck/skill, and simply see this as a way too boost your own ego and 'moral superiority'
Ummmm.... She's stupid & that's why we hate her. Simple.
@RavenClaw - only trans, plus-size and disabled is left I think, then she'd have the full fat wallet of cards.
Nah, she listed several chronic conditions in the thread, so now only trans and plus size are left
I know these two not exact comparisons. But in the USA there are millions of non citizens that do not pay taxes, bring their friends and family over, encourage more to come, and will not get deported. Maybe she thought it was the same in all countries.
That’s literally what I was thinking when reading most of the comments. Can’t help but wonder how many of those admonishing her for being an illegal....are the same “woke” bleeding hearts that defend and excuse the millions of illegals invading America as we speak.
It's an ok comparison but the difference is that indonesia is a developing country and America is not. I mean some places here are literally night and day. One city has skyscrapers the other city only uses candles for light at night and zero electricity. Therefore when these Americans come to Indonesia they will always be one step ahead most of the locals.
yep
She claims the country is queer-friendly and also that she's getting deported because she's LGBT. Something seriously doesn't add up.
It's kind of strange that you live in a country known to be homophobic and you're not noticing it. Says a lot about how she interacted with the local population.
Or like living in a very tolerant country where no matter your race you can still be able to be successful and you still complain or racism... I wonder why progressives think USA is racist and yet many Africans or is Latinos do the unthinkable to come to this wonderful county. God bless America.
@Maria G you know, there are many, many, many white immigrants that come illegally from europe to america and yet they aren't being put in cages for "the unthinkable". nobody says anything about it. nobody cares when it's white people.
Bullshit. I personally watched some white Romanians who over stayed their visa get deported. They don't deport colored people.
They don't deport colored people? A) colored?! That's telling. B) yes, yes poc get deported from the USA. It is scary to see the blinders some Americans wear so willingly. Your country is fine. But if you think you are some dream goal of the world I feel bad for you. I would not personally want to live in America unless my country was somehow obliterated, and there were no other culturally matched countries 🤷♀️ I can't understand a country that thinks medical care is a luxury, and customers should supplement wages that can hardly even be called a wage
POC is the same as saying Colored. So don't think so highly of yourself
the word 'colored' hasn't been used for half a century, how did that even make it's way into your vocabulary
Because that's what half my generation is calling themselves. People of Color aka colored people. I hate that term.
Says who? You know you made these cages? Obama. And it's a detention center. Many kids have been saved from human trafficking this way. And there is a program that trump signed to allow us Americans to foster these kids.
Maria, the comment you replied to is so very, very relevant to yours - "it's kind of strange that you live in a country built upon and maintained through racism, but don't notice it..."
I would guess that everyone was "queer-friendly" towards her because they wanted her $$$. Locals don't get such a VIP treatment.
People need to stop bragging on social media
Amen. There are a lot of foot-shooting-people out there.
SHHHH don't TELL them, they might stop and THEN how would we avoid them?
This one shot herself in the face. Hah!
Many an idiot got caught during early lockdowns, travel bans, and quarantine requirements early on because of their inability to stay off social media with their narcissism.
Truth. If she had just kept her head down, she'd still be living the dream.
She got greedy, trying to make money out of teaching other people how to live her freeloader lifestyle.
Random Panda +
Agreed. Especially these “influencers.”
I have to wonder just who they're influencing.
Other idiots
That's how these lazy 6itches make a living. Boasting all-day on insta or whatever new fad is out..and telling people how clever they are. I remember a book the used to sell in the 70 in the readers digest. How to become a millionaire, you wanna know what advice the book have, write a 7uncking book a****. Same goes for a book a read about gambling and beating the roulette/poker/BJ etc. The guy was an ex gambler. How to make money in the gaming industry. WRITE A BOOK ABOUT WINNING AT THE ROULETTE
Bïtches, fůcking ãsshøle... though the use of numbers is smart too.
yeeesss