05/08/2014 | Writer: Ömer Akpınar
Will Erdogan, who carefully avoided any demands of the LGBTI organizations, other political parties and the EU, feel any pressure by his LGBTI voters to address the LGBTI issue?
LGBTI supporters of Turkey’s ruling party AKP (Justice and Development Party) have been in the spotlight as they attended the Presidential campaign of PM Erdogan in Istanbul on Sunday. Founded after the local elections held in March 2014, the group named the AK LGBTI comes as a surprise to many as they are in favor of a party that did not take a single step for LGBTI rights during its 12 years in power. Enes F.B. from the group told kaosGL.org how they try to open a space for LGBTI people in the conservative party.
It all started in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan...
Enes tells that a dinner for the breaking of Ramadan fast brought 15 people together to discuss why they like the works of the ruling party, which urged them to gather for other meetings.
In a meeting held before the Presidential campaign, the group discussed the relationship between conservatism and LGBTI people. “If only they could see us, too, instead of assuming all LGBTIs belonging to the party x,” says Enes, criticizing the LGBTI movement in Turkey for its insufficiency to open a space for conservative LGBTIs.
In the Presidential campaign: What is this flag for?
What was the reaction to their rainbow flags in Erdogan’s big run for the Presidency? Enes acknowledges that it was a risk they took but the result seems to be fine:
“It is not that we did not have any problems in the area but our flags drew attention. People asked things like ‘What is this flag for? What do these colors represent?’. We told them that it is the rainbow flag. When they were not satisfied, we explained that it is a flag for LGBTI people. We do not come across with any insults or offensive attitude, though.”
“Homophobia has no place in Islam”
When I ask Enes what they demand for LGBTI people from Erdogan, he chooses rather not to speak about it. Instead, he talks about Islam’s stance on LGBTI people:
“There is no place for disrespect to people in Islam. People may not like you, they have the right. But homophobia has no place in Islam. I go to university in Konya. It might be a dangerous place for many gays but I am out to some imams, professors and people in my neighborhood.”
“Homophobia is not unique to the right-wing”
Living in a city famous for its conservative population, Enes emphasizes that homophobia and transphobia are not unique to right-wing people:
“What I want from people is tolerance. I do not think that there is a big problem and hostility with the right-wing because I haven’t experienced a single bad situation in Konya for 4 years. But we shouldn’t forget that there are some phobic reactions from the left-wing as well as LGBTI groups and institutions.”
Will Erdogan take steps to improve the lives of LGBTI people?
Enes is very proud to have shown up right in front of Erdogan with rainbow flags and he claims that other political parties are no different than AKP when it comes to freedom and equality of LGBTI people.
The first group to demand LGBTI rights from within the ruling party, AK LGBTI shows a more diverse profile for the AKP voters. Yet it is still a controversy whether Erdogan, who carefully avoided any demands of the LGBTI organizations, other political parties and the EU, will feel any pressure by the AK LGBTI to address the LGBTI issue.
Check out the candidates for the Presidential elections to be held on August 10 and their stance on LGBTI rights from here.
Tags: life
