The pandemic has been rough for everyone, so it’s alright if you can’t seem to spare any tears for the travel influencers out there right now. Take Kristen Gray, for example.
American travel influencer Kristen Gray went viral on Twitter last week after talking about her experience living in Bali during the pandemic.
Now, she is being deported following an official investigation that said Gray violated a number of Balinese immigration laws.
Gray tweeted about Bali, offered tips regarding traveling during a pandemic, and promoted her e-book: Our Bali Life Is Yours.
Gray explained that she and her girlfriend Saundra had been living in Bali for more than a year after deciding to stay when the pandemic hit despite only having planned to stay for six months.
Gray praised Bali for its “safety, low cost of living, luxury lifestyle, [and] queer friendly and Black in Bali community.”
Gray’s tweets and the ones critical of her caught the attention of immigration officials. According to Balinese authorities, Gray may have violated a number of immigration laws, including spreading information that could “unsettle” the public.
Folks on social media criticized Gray for exploiting Bali and encouraging travel during a pandemic.
Excuse me neng Kristen Gray, and other bule's who want to live in Bali, y'all need to watch this video👇 pic.twitter.com/CiX0XZZ1AR
— Son of Adam👑 (@nndprbw_) January 18, 2021
We have to talk about Kristen Gray and how she’s encouraging people to move to Bali during a pandemic pic.twitter.com/8Azu8bPPt4
— tope (@liveauthentic_) January 17, 2021
The reason Kristen Gray thinks Bali is queer friendly is because a)she’s a foreigner, and b) economic leverage means financially dependent locals won’t say much.
If Bali is queer friendly, then why am I told daily I am diseased and need conversion therapy to be cured?
— Kai Mata🏳️🌈 (@kaimatamusic) January 18, 2021
For those averse to reading, here is a succinct video regarding this for your heart’s desires. pic.twitter.com/fEgspkHyJY
— Kai Mata🏳️🌈 (@kaimatamusic) January 18, 2021
Gray and her girlfriend are currently being detained in Denpasar, Bali, awaiting the next flight out. She will not be allowed back in Bali for six months.
Laporan ke @ditjen_imigrasi tembus di rspond admin. Smg jika mmg perlu penertiban, akan ditindak sesuai. Bkn diskriminasi, tapi penegakan hukum.
Report to immigration replied by admin. Hoping, if necessary, it'll be dealt with accordingly. Not discrimination, but law enforcement pic.twitter.com/Sfn05k3DHe
— It's Always (@BetterWithBill) January 17, 2021
In a brief statement to Balinese press, Gray said, “I am not guilty. I have not overstayed my visa. I have not made money in Indonesian rupiah in Indonesia. I put out a statement about LGBT, and I am being deported about LGBT.”
Gray’s Twitter and Instagram accounts are currently shut down.
Lead image: Twitter