18/03/2024 | Writer: Oğulcan Özgenç
CHP Avcılar Municipality Council Member Candidate Niler Albayrak shared insights with KaosGL.org.
Photopraph: Ömer Akpınar
As the local elections draw near, municipal council member candidates have been confirmed. Among those vying for positions in the Municipal Assembly on March 31 are representatives from the LGBTI+ community. The Republican People’s Party (CHP) is among the political parties featuring LGBTI+ candidates for municipal council members.
We interviewed trans activist Niler Albayrak, who is running as the 26th candidate for Avcılar Municipality Council Member from the CHP, regarding her agenda for LGBTI+ rights if elected, strategies for local governments to address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and the significance of political representation for the LGBTI+ community.
Albayrak underscored the particular hurdles that confront LGBTI+ individuals in politics, emphasizing its protracted nature:
“Involving oneself in politics is inherently challenging and long-running process, and it becomes even more arduous for LGBTI+ individuals. Establishing our presence in politics is a formidable undertaking, yet it’s undeniably crucial. Starting at the grassroots level, such as local municipalities, is pivotal. Visibility commences here and should extend to higher echelons. While it’s imperative to be outspoken and visible locally, it’s equally critical for political parties to nominate LGBTI+ candidates for the electable districts and places. Unfortunately, many major political parties refrain from doing this, believing they’re not prepared.”
Highlighting her commitment to advocating for LGBTI+ rights if elected, Albayrak expressed her intentions:
“If granted a seat on the City Council, my primary objective would be to establish safe sheltering for elderly LGBTI+ individuals living on the streets. This initiative holds immense significance. Additionally, I aim to foster employment opportunities for LGBTI+ individuals across various sectors, with a particular focus on the public sphere. Should I be elected, I will tirelessly bring these on the agenda, seizing every opportunity to enact tangible change in this regard.”
“We need to say we are here too”
Albayrak drew attention to the need for LGBTI+’s to be more visible and concluded her words as follows:
“It is very important to be more visible in order to eliminate discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. I believe that we need to accustom the society to our existence by showing our presence. It is necessary to say to the society, ‘We are here too’, ‘We exist too’. I believe that discrimination can be overcome and something can be achieved by being visible, whether it is local government or general government. I will work for this. As a result, I succeed by being more visible without hiding at all, and I believe that we will succeed together in this way.”
Niler Albayrak is no stranger to the political arena. In 2019, she assumed the role of director of the Avcılar district organization. Prior to this, she contested as a parliamentary candidate for the Istanbul 3rd district in 2015 and served as a delegate for the Merkez neighbourhood in 2017. Albayrak also ran as a candidate for the Avcılar Municipality Assembly under the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) in the 2014 local elections. Moreover, she stood as a candidate for the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) in the 2023 General Elections, vying for the position of deputy candidate for the Istanbul 3rd district.
Translation: Selma Koçak
Tags: human rights
