25/07/2024 | Writer: Koray Arkadaş

Kaos GL Association Refugee Rights Program held a workshop in Mardin, on Gender and Case Management.

“The gender binary system not only excludes LGBTI+ people but also hinders on non-LGBTI+ persons from constructing unique femininities and masculinities” Kaos GL - News Portal for LGBTI+

Kaos GL Association Refugee Rights Program, in cooperation with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Mardin office and Development Foundation of Türkiye (TKV) Mardin office, held a Gender and Case Management workshop for WHH and TKV employees on 18-19 July 2024.

In the opening session of the workshop’s first day, Defne Işık, a social worker from the Kaos GL Refugee Rights Program, discussed “Our Gender Perceptions and the Gender Binary System.” Işık highlighted that the gender binary system disregards LGBTI+ individuals, stating: “The gender binary system not only excludes LGBTI+ people but also hinders non-LGBTI+ persons from developing unique expressions of femininity and masculinity. We are all aware that there isn’t just one way to be a woman or a man.”

In the second session, social worker Koray Arkadaş from the Kaos GL Refugee Rights Program took the floor. He presented on “LGBTI+ Basic Concepts,” covering topics such as gender dysphoria, gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender characteristics. After briefly defining the ideologies of discrimination against LGBTI+ individuals, Arkadaş concluded the session by discussing these concepts with the participants.

In the following session, Defne Işık spoke on “Non-Heteronormative Social Work Practices.” Işık emphasized that, at the initial contact with clients, their gender identities and sexual orientations are unknown, similar to their personal stories. Consequently, adopting an approach that assumes heterosexual and cisgender identities may violate the principle of non-harm. In her presentation, she provided sample sentences, approaches, and behaviors to illustrate her points.

“Some LGBTI+ people may not prefer  to, or may not need to, come out in any way”

In the fourth session, Koray Arkadaş shared insights on “Social Work Practices with LGBTI+ People.” He discussed the key considerations for interviewers once LGBTI+ persons disclose their gender identities and sexual orientations. Arkadaş emphasized, “Even if you are confident that you have created a safe environment and are using a therapeutic approach, some LGBTI+ individuals may not prefer to, or need to come out in any way.” In the final part of the session, he addressed the specific needs of LGBTI+ persons.

In the final session of the day, Defne Işık discussed HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

On the second day, the first session was led by Defne Işık, who presented on “Social Service Practices with Refugee LGBTI+ People.” She detailed the services that refugee LGBTI+ persons can and cannot access, incorporating both theoretical information and practical applications in daily life.

In another session, Koray Arkadaş and Defne Işık facilitated two case studies with the participants. After group discussions on the cases, both case studies were reviewed collectively.

In the final session, role-play exercises were conducted, re-enacting interviews. Almost all participants took on the roles of both the interviewer and the client during these role-plays.


Tags: human rights
2024