29/03/2024 | Writer: Emir Monajed
As the local elections draw near, LGBTI+ refugees have shared their concerns about security and the impact of election campaigns with KaosGL.org.
As the local elections draw near; ongoing election campaigns are increasingly targeting refugees and LGBTI+ individuals, fueling discrimination. LGBTI+ refugees, in particular, bear the brunt of both anti-LGBTI+ and anti-refugee sentiments, facing negative consequences as a result.
LGBTI+ refugees, striving to build a new life filled with hope in a foreign land, are grappling with various challenges that threaten to undermine their aspirations. These challenges include racism, asylum application rejections, distressing news from their countries of origin, housing insecurity, language barriers, struggles with cultural adaptation, and a lack of social support. Such adversities often destroy the hopes of refugees and leave them get disappointed.
According to the findings of the report titled “Turkey’s Challenge with LGBTI+ Refugees” released by Kaos GL Association, LGBTI+ refugees face problems due to the local people, 48 percent of them face inappropriate leering by neighbors and other people when going out; 21 percent of them says that the city they reside in is conservative; 21 percent of them face general mistreatment by the general society of Turkey; 10 percent of them are labeled as “fag” or “infidel” by society. 54 percent of them said are forced to conceal their sexual orientation and gender identity; 26 percent of them are not going out due to feeling insecure.
Another issue highlighted in the report is the psychological effects of discrimination faced by LGBTI+ people. According to the findings of the report; 26 percent of LGBTI+ refugees have the thought that people do not accept themselves and there is no room for them in society; 30 percent of them says that their psychological state is worsening because of social isolation and 20 percent of them are feeling lonely.
“Election campaigns exacerbate tensions between Turkish and Syrian communities”
During election periods, LGBTI+ refugees experience heightened discrimination as a result of conflicting campaign narratives. These campaigns further exacerbate the anxieties of LGBTI+ refugees residing in Turkey in the lead-up to the elections.
Wesim, a 25-year-old Syrian residing in Turkey, shares their apprehension and fear as the elections draw near:
“The hostility campaigns against refugees deeply affect me as both a Syrian and a gay individual living in Turkey. The looming threat of deportation for Syrians intensifies my anxieties, particularly considering the lack of rights and prevalent homophobia in my home country. My aspiration is for a society where everyone can lead an equal life, free from racism. The election campaigns and hate speech not only harm society as a whole but also fuel animosity between the Turkish and Syrian communities.”
Sara is a 28-year old transgender women, who has been living in Turkey for 10 years and who is currently in the transition process tells the following:
“In the period leading up to the elections, I tend to stay indoors. My neighbors, aware of my identity as an Arab refugee, often resort to derogatory language, threatening deportation and expressing sentiments like ‘We don't want people like you here.’ This instills fear and anxiety in me. Lately, it feels like electoral choices determine our fate, whether we live or die. Alongside my hormone therapy, I’m also prescribed tranquilizers by my psychiatrist, whom I see regularly—sometimes up to three times a week—to manage my heightened state of tension. The discourse around deporting refugees has escalated to ‘Vote for me, and I’ll deport refugees,’ making our situation increasingly precarious.”
Translation: Selma Koçak
Tags: human rights
