Social media influencer is deported from Bali for ‘LGBTQ haven’ tweets

A social media influencer who promoted Bali as an LGBTQ-friendly haven to wait out the pandemic is to be deported from Indonesia.

In a series of viral tweets, American Kristen Gray described how she and her girlfriend, Saundra Alexander, were enjoying a low-cost lifestyle in the tourist paradise since they arrived early last year, describing the island as the «perfect medicine» for a prolonged escape from the pandemic back home.

The immigration office summoned Ms Gray for questioning on Tuesday. It said she may have violated immigration laws, including by spreading information that could disturb the public, such as suggesting that Bali was «queer friendly» and easily accessible to foreigners amid the Covid-19 pandemic, traveller.com.au reports.