22/05/2009 | Writer: KAOS GL

May 19. 2009
Hurriyet Daily News

After days of debate on his future career in football, the referee who had to quit his job due to his sexual orientation appeared on television Saturday and revealed his name for the first time.

Participating in a football show on Kanalturk on Saturday night, referee Halil Ibrahim Dincdag said that he would continue his legal battle.

Dincdag was forced to leave his job because he had been excused from his compulsory military service on account of his homosexuality, which was documented in a medical report. According to the sport's regulations, anyone who fails to complete his military service for health reasons is unfit to perform as a referee.

"Now a really difficult period has started for my family, but it has always been difficult for me," said Dincdag, 33, who appealed to colleagues who have been discriminated against as he was.

"Please stand tall against the unfairness against you, whenever something wrong is happening," he said. "Say that it is wrong. Say what is right for you."

Original Link of this News Article: Gay referee to continue legal battle



Tags: human rights
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