Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Women Gave Speeches in the Turkish Parliament

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) welcomed women’s organizations on the occasion of 8 March International Women’s Day in its yesterday’s weekly meeting in the Turkish parliament. Kaos GL and Pink Life Associations were among the NGOs BDP invited to give speeches at the meeting.  

 

Joined by many MPs, representatives of civil society and press members, the meeting was openend by the speech of BDP Co-Chair Gültan Kışanak. Kışanak said “Male-dominant mentality is an illness. One cannot talk about democracy unless it aims at full equality of men and women.”

 

Speaking on behalf of lesbian and bisexual women, Aslı Demir from Kaos GL Association said: “Not only heterosexual women exist, we do, too. We are struggling for a world that our bodies and emotions face no restraint or pressure. We know that without a strong confrontation with gender relations and heterosexism takes place, peace will not be attained. We are honored to be here to form networks between our struggles.” Demir’s speech received loud applause.  

 

Belgin Çelik from Pink Life Association started her speech by saluting the Peace Mothers. Çelik mentioned the state policies which victimize transgender community. She highlighted that unrecorded sex work creates an environment for discrimination and hate murders against trans women.

 

Women from the Peace Mothers, Confederation of Public Workers’ Unions (KESK), Women’s Solidarity Foundation (KADAV) and People’s Democratic Congress (HDK) gave speeches in the meeting, too.

 

Photos: Murat Köylü / Kaos GL

Translation: Ömer Akpınar