19/05/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
The International LGBTIQA+ Award, presented annually by the Paris Municipality, has found its recipients. Yıldız Tar, the Editor-in-Chief of KaosGL.org, who has been in detention since February 21, has been awarded the International LGBTIQA+ Rights Special Award.
The International LGBTIQA+ Awards, presented annually by the Paris Municipality, have found their recipients. At the ceremony held as part of the May 17 International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, Yıldız Tar, Editor-in-Chief of KaosGL.org, was deemed worthy of the International LGBTIQA+ Rights Special Award. Detained since February 21 as part of an investigation targeting the HDK (Peoples' Democratic Congress), Tar became the first LGBTI+ activist from Turkey to receive this award.
The Grand Prize was awarded to Viktória Radványi, one of the pioneers of the LGBTI+ movement in Hungary. The awards were presented by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
The opening speech of the ceremony was delivered by Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, Deputy Mayor of Paris and Permanent Secretary of the Award.
The award jury consisted of the following names:
Victor Gutierrez (chair), Pınar Selek, Frédéric Vallier, Haley Caruso, Alexandre Schon, Aline Feito, Cédric Feito, Erika Nomeni, Angelo Fremeaux, Aude Le Moullec-Rieu, Santiago Rivero, Kyoka Shodladd, Máté Hegedűs, Solange Dekker.
The following statements were made about Yıldız Tar on the award’s website:
"Yıldız Tar is known to have worked as an editor for media outlets such as Etkin News Agency (ETHA), T24, Art1 TV, and Özgür Radyo before being arrested, and is one of Turkey’s most respected trans journalists. They also serve as the editor-in-chief of KaosGL.org, Turkey’s leading news site on LGBTIQA+ issues. Tar is a prominent LGBTIQA+ figure who represents and stands for the struggle for freedom of expression."
About the award
Established in 2018, the Paris International LGBTQIA+ Rights Award is an honorary award presented to individuals and organizations that advance the rights of LGBTQIA+ people around the world. Accompanied by financial support, the award aims to honor individuals and associations who work with dedication in this field.
Presented in collaboration with the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF), the award is decided by a panel of experts and is regarded as a reflection of Paris’s commitment to equal rights.
Tags: human rights, media, arts and culture
