Transphobic Hate Murder in Istanbul!

 

 

Istanbul LGBTI Association has protested the armed assault today. The assault took place at Daracik Street in the gentrification district of Tarlabasi in Istanbul last night. 

 

Didem recounted the attack: “The police and ambulance staff did not even touch the dead body of our friend. We carried her.”

 

Istanbul LGBTI Association has condemned the transphobic armed attack and said: “We are transvestites, we are here, get used to it, we are not going anywhere.”

 

Didem talked about the attack to kaosGL.org and stated that other trans women nearby heard gun shots and two people ran away from the apartment. Didem said:

 

“I learned that they first drew a knife at Joker. That she called up Nalan for help. At that moment they shot Joker in the chest. She went to the window and asked for help. In the meantime, the murderers ran away towards Istiklal Street.”  

 

Emphasizing that the murder might have been for a seizure, Didem said “Joker was found dressed in the living room. It might have been a seizure.” 

 

Attitude of the police and health staff came as no surprise: “The police came and did not do anything. Just looked around a bit. They did not even question anyone properly. And the ambulance did not want to carry our friend. We took her down the apartment on our own.”

 

As she tells that they had to carry their friend themselves, Didem is moved to tears and she adds: “They did not even close her eyes. We did. What her family would do is not known yet. If they do not accept the funeral of our friend, we will                                                                           perform it but the state might not approve.”

 

Didem recalls another armed attack that took place a few days ago at the Omer Hayyam Stop. She believes that assaults can be prevented through trans solidarity. Having been exposed to transphobic hate attacks herself, Didem criticizes the indifference of the police and impunity.  

 

 

Following the murder, Istanbul LGBTI Assocation made an urgent call and gathered with photos of Joker at the street that the murder took place with slogans “We are transvestites, we are here, get used to it, we are not going anywhere.”  

 

Activists made a statement with a banner that reads “trans murders are political” and emphasized that hate attacks continue to increase in Turkey.