25/06/2024 | Writer: Kaos GL
Defne Güzel, Human Rights Expert of Kaos GL Association, spoke with Nisa Sude Demirel from Evrensel. Güzel emphasized that LGBTI+ community are severely impacted by the current economic conditions and hate speech, highlighting the crucial importance of being aware of and utilizing support networks.
Defne Güzel, Human Rights Expert of Kaos GL Association, spoke to Nisa Sude Demirel from Evrensel newspaper, emphasizing that LGBTI+ murders and suicides are political:
“There is a reason for this. The most important reason is the discrimination and violence against LGBTI+ individuals. Almost every area of our lives is surrounded by hate speech and hate crimes, leading to more negative mental health outcomes.”
Güzel highlighted that LGBTI+ individuals face significant barriers to employment:
“LGBTI+ persons work for much lower wages and under harsher overtime conditions. They often pay more rent and prefer private health services to avoid discrimination, making it impossible for them to live a dignified life.”
She also noted that solidarity spaces are being restricted:
“This hatred not only isolates us but also prevents us from growing stronger against loneliness. However, there are LGBTI+ student communities, initiatives, and associations that foster solidarity. LGBTI+ associations offer psychosocial and legal counseling support. It is essential to be aware of these networks.”
According to report of Evrensel, The Trevor Project, which aims to prevent LGBTI+ suicides, estimates that 1.8 million LGBTI+ youth in the USA consider suicide every year. In a 2021 study, The Trevor Project found that 42 percent of LGBTI+ youth planned to attempt suicide in 2020. However, there is no clear data on LGBTI+ suicides in Turkey.
Tags: human rights
