25/04/2024 | Writer: Defne Güzel
Metin Güzel of the 17 May Association suggested reframing poverty beyond income thresholds to include the deprivation of rights. Umut Güner of the Kaos GL Association noted how adverse conditions, though challenging, can foster resilience within the community.
The Etkin-iz Forum, held in Antalya on April 18-19, focused on “Human Rights Monitoring for Solidarity, Accountability, and Recovery” this year. Over two days, non-governmental organizations engaged in rights-based monitoring discussed various issues. Metin Güzel from the 17 May Association addressed the housing challenges faced by LGBTI+ individuals during the session on the Right to Housing and Disasters.
Azize Altıok, from the Lawyers for Universal Rights Association, joined the session moderated by Ayça Bulut Bican, a Civil Society Capacity Development Expert from Etkin-iz. Altıok highlighted the significance of data-based monitoring in addressing shelter issues, particularly in the context of migration following the February 6 earthquakes. She discussed the Report on the Right to Shelter and Access to Housing after the February 2023 Earthquakes in Turkey, stressing the importance of holding the state accountable for its obligations as outlined by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Shelter. Altıok underscored the role of data-driven monitoring in this regard.
“Alongside housing, the right to employment is also violated”
In their address, Metin Güzel from the May 17 Association paid tribute to the memory of Ülker Street and the Esat-Eryaman incidents. They went on to highlight recent events, such as the sealing of houses belonging to sex worker trans women on Bayram Street and said: “Alongside housing, the right to employment is also violated.”
Güzel referenced the report “From Discrimination to Poverty: LGBTI+ People in Turkey” prepared by the May 17 Association, emphasizing the need to redefine poverty. They stressed that poverty should not be solely defined by income levels, but rather by the barriers preventing access to rights.
Güzel also addressed the housing challenges faced by LGBTI+s and highlighted the Ahmet Yıldız Activist Student Scholarship Programme initiated by LGBTI+ activists as follows:
“We reside in the heart of the city, often in secluded areas, inhabiting substandard housing without proper contracts. At times, we opt for excessively priced rentals. An LGBTI+ individual living in Nişantaşı, Istanbul might be perceived as affluent, yet, in reality, they allocate ninety percent of their income to rent and prioritize safety over all else. This doesn't imply wealth. Since 2020, we’ve been conducting monitoring studies, initially focusing on elderly LGBTI+ individuals. Particularly within this demographic, we conducted a legislative review, given the lack of policies addressing their specific needs. Elderly LGBTI+ individuals often encounter challenges in securing housing due to their inability to form traditional family units through marriage. Regrettably, they are often regarded solely as single individuals, leading to difficulties in renting accommodations. This struggle extends beyond the elderly to younger generations. The right to peaceful assembly significantly influences the right to housing. Student LGBTI+ individuals have faced scholarship cuts and evictions from dormitories under color of ‘general morality’. In response, we initiated the Ahmet Yıldız Activist Student Scholarship Programme, establishing a fund with fellow activists to provide support to affected students. This programme continues to operate consistently, offering scholarships to those impacted by discriminatory policies.”
“People in the earthquake zone were compelled to live akin to Romani and LGBTI+ people”
On the final day of the event, speakers from women’s, children’s, Romanis, autism, and LGBTI+ organizations convened to discuss “Implementation of the Prohibition of Discrimination in Disaster Management.” During this session, Umut Güner from Kaos GL addressed the challenges faced by LGBTI+ individuals during disaster periods.
Commencing their speech by evoking the pandemic, Güner offered the following evaluation concerning the scapegoating of LGBTI+ individuals during crises:
“There have been claims that the pandemic, the 1999 earthquake, and the 6 February earthquakes were caused by LGBTI+ individuals. It seems that whenever a crisis arises, the government shifts blame onto us, absolving itself of responsibility.”
Highlighting that numerous groups in Turkey are compelled to endure living conditions akin to those experienced by LGBTI+ individuals, Güner expressed the following sentiments:
“The dismissed academics endured loss of security, salary cuts, and blocked pension rights, even facing violations of their residential immunity, akin to the plight of LGBTI+ individuals. People in earthquake zones were compelled to live in conditions reminiscent of both Romani communities and LGBTI+ individuals. While both Romani and LGBTI+ communities grapple with discrimination and inadequate living conditions, these crises often amplify existing challenges. Despite this, the circumstances we navigate can sometimes fortify us. Yet, we’re labeled as ‘vulnerable.’ I reject that label; it’s not our vulnerability but your disregard and bullying. We were aware that relief wouldn’t prioritize LGBTI+ individuals in disaster situations. Thus, we organized our own solidarity, as our needs were overlooked.”
Güner also highlighted the efforts of Ankara LGBTI+ Earthquake Solidarity and Lubunya Earthquake Solidarity organizations which were formed to be in solidarity with the earthquake survivors after February 6 in 2023.
Translation: Selma Koçak
Tags: human rights
