11/09/2006 | Writer: KAOS GL
Turkey has always been somewhere between the West and the East. Its culture includes both Western and Eastern values. These values sometimes clash with each other. A striking example of this clash is the struggle for human rights by Turkish lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT). Providing solutions to the problems of the Turkish LGBT community will be one of the litmus tests for the future of the democracy in Turkey, as well as inclusion in the European Union.
There are reasons to be both optimistic and pessimistic regarding the fate of Turkish LGBT people.
The LGBT movement in Turkey is still in its early stages. However one can easily notice that the Turkish LGBT movement is becoming more vocal and active. Especially since the 1990s, the momentum has been steadily increasing.
In 2005 there are two very active and vocal Turkish LGBT organizations: Lambda Istanbul in Istanbul and Kaos GL in Ankara. There are also smaller LGBT groups established all over Turkey. For instance on March 2006 Rainbow Solidarity and Cultural Association became the second legally registered LGBT organization in Turkey after Kaos GL
Tags: life
