LGBT head meets with minister

Turkey’s new constitution should ensure that discrimination against people with different sexual orientations is ended, according to a representative of one of Turkey’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual associations.

 

“[Measure for] sexual identities, the rights of the gay community and sexual orientation should be included in the new constitution,” Belgin Çelik from the Pembe Hayat (Pink Life) LGBT Association told Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Şahin during a meeting with women’s nongovernmental organizations to discuss preparations for Turkey’s new charter.

 

Çelik also spoke about the lack of work opportunities for transsexuals. “Many transsexual individuals have to work as sex workers and therefore have to deal with street gangs and their violence,” Çelik said, demanding that the new charter should include regulations that prevent such problems. Şahin said her ministry would like to work actively with LGBT organizations, Kaos GL, an Ankara-based LGBT organization, reported on its website. (hurriyetdailynews.com)