19/12/2024 | Writer: Kaos GL

Esenler Mayor Mehmet Tevfik Göksu targeted LGBTI+s both at the opening and closing of the 5th Esenler Film Festival organized with the theme of “Family”, saying “LGBT immorality”.

Esenler Film Festival opened with LGBTI+ hostility, closed with LGBTI+ hostility Kaos GL - News Portal for LGBTI+

The fifth Esenler Film Festival, hosted by Istanbul Esenler Municipality, was held between December 13-17.

LGBTI+ people were targeted with hate speech at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the festival organized with the theme “Family”. AKP's Esenler Mayor Mehmet Tevfik Göksu used the phrase “LGBT immorality” at the opening ceremony on December 13. Göksu said:

“Life is like a movie, and family is the first school of life. In our film festival, which we organized for the fifth time this year, we centered on the theme of “family” against the LGBT immorality that the West is trying to impose on our generations. We will continue to protect the existence and strength of being a family in this city against those who try to disrupt our family institution through the silver screen. We will explain the value of mother, father and child to all our generations.”

At the closing ceremony on December 17, LGBTI+'s were also targeted by Göksu. Göksu said in his closing speech:

“Family is among our sacred values. There is currently a big operation against the family under the name of desexualization. The essence of this land is not LGBT, but mother, father, grandfather, grandfather, siblings, in short, family. The West is currently trying to get out of the hole it has dug and fallen into in the process of modernization. They have now realized how important the continuation of the generation is.”

The main jury of the festival, chaired by actor Fikret Kuşkan, included actor Bennu Yıldırımlar, TRT Cinema Director Faruk Güven, writer and director Cengis Temuçin Asiltürk and director Eylem Kaftan.


Tags: human rights, arts and culture, family
2024