ODTU Discussed the Ways of ‘Not Being a Man’

Within the scope of the 7th International Meeting against Homophobia a Forum about Masculinity was made in ODTU on the 3rd of May, Thursday. Forum was shaped by the speeches of Remzi Altunpolat, İlknur Hacısoftaoğlu and Bahadır Türk. 

 

The first campus stand of the 7th Meeting against Homophobia in Ankara was organized by ODTU LGBTT Solidarity, Political Science Group and Sociology Group. Forum which calls for ways of “not being a man” was realized with the participation of approximately 80 person where Semih Sapmaz, an MA student in ODTU Political Science, was the moderator. 

 

Remzi Altunpolat who participates in the forum on behalf of KaosGL made an introduction about the manifestations of masculinity and homosexuality in Turkish right. Altunpolat, stating that since 1940’s Turkish right is formed around three concepts which cannot be differentiated from each other, enumerated these concepts as Islam, nationalism and conservatism. Altunpolat, stating that studies concerning masculinity are a recent sphere in Turkey, emphasized that the relation between nationalism and sexuality is worth to examine.

Altunpolat, while talking about the links established between masculinity and the defense of the homeland, explained how being a man is perceived as equal with defending national values with quotations from Peyami Safa, Nihal Atsız and Osman Yüksel Serdengeçti. 

In addition Ilknur Hacısoftaoğlu made a presentation about the interaction of different modes of masculinities with each other in relation to sports. Hacısoftaoğlu, stating that masculinity is changing historically, spatially and socially, emphasized that on the basis of this fact one cannot talk about just one masculinity. She explained how sports is used as a sign of superiority of men and their right to dominate as a sphere justifying the binarisms on the basis of the claim that sports is based on body.  Hacısoftaoğlu stating that sports is an efficient tool of socializing in the entrance to masculinity, expressed that heterosexism (a system of behavior, prejudice and discrimination where the relationship and the sexuality with the other sex is seen superior) and misogyny (hatred of women) are reproduced in order to prove heterosexuality.

Are All Kırkpınar Wrestlers Heterosexual?

Hacısoftaoğlu talking about her work about wrestlers, said that media makes implications of homosexuality as to this exaggerated masculinity constantly, but that wrestlers do not see these as a threat to their heterosexuality. She stated that wrestlers answered the questions concerning gay visitors generally with a defensive hate discourse and homophobia or by emphasizing their professionalism and thus keeping a distance.

 

Besides Bahadır Türk dealt how masculinity is handled in the films of Yılmaz Güney of 1965-1979 where he acted, directed or was a scriptwriter. He opened the films such as “There Was Blood on the Street,” “Recep of Kasımpaşa”,” “Desperates,” and “Enemy” to discussion on the basis of ten fundamental characteristics.

He talked about his analyses such as naturalization of heroes, that they should be silent and serious fighters in order to fix their masculinity, that women, as opposite poles, should be protected as lovers and as mothers or be avoided as dangerous and evil creatures. You may reach the program of the 7th International Meeting against Homophobia which will be lasted until 20th of May: