08/07/2024 | Writer: Defne Güzel
LGBTI+s took the streets in Pride Month for their rights, against all the odds.
Aftermath of Pride Month
Eskişehir Pride March: On June 9th, police attacked the press statement and Pride March planned to take place in front of the Ulus Monument in Eskişehir. Ten LGBTI+ activists were detained and subjected to torture. Four of the detained activists were referred to court with a demand for arrest. The Eskişehir Pride Week Committee announced on their social media accounts that all detained LGBTI+ activists have been released.
İstanbul LGBTI+ Pride March: Istanbul Governorship issued a ban on Taksim and Istiklal Street in the early hours of the day of the march and described the Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week Committee as “various illegal groups”. However 22nd İstanbul Pride March took place despite all bans and restrictions, on June 30th. After the march following the press statement, LGBTI+'s dispersed for security reasons. The police searched LGBTI+s in the neighborhood. 15 people, including those under the age of 18, were detained. The detainees were released late at night. İstanbul Pride Week Committee made a statement saying “If necessary, we can pierce through stones, bend time, and once again find each other in our smiles.”
İstanbul Trans Pride March: The Istanbul Governorship decided to close subway stations before the 10th Trans Pride March.
Ankara Pride March: On June 12, despite the police blockade and bag search attempts in Ankara, LGBTI+ activists took to the streets saying, “Neither on the street nor on cruise, you are not alone lubunya (queer)!”
Violation of rights
This year, the censorship operation against the Physician’s Oath manifested itself in Ankara, Bolu, and Ordu. The harassment by the police sometimes involved blocking bags and sometimes initiating proceedings under the pretext of "prostitution." When it comes to LGBTI+ rights, censorship, threats, and closures targeted LGBTI+ individuals in June as well.
Censorship of the Physician’s Oath in Ankara, Bolu and Ordu: Before the graduation ceremony of Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Faculty of Medicine, the dean’s office banned the phrase “sexual orientation” in the Physician’S Oath. Students announced that they would recite the phrase “sexual orientation” despite the ban.
At the graduation ceremony of Ordu University Faculty of Medicine, students and parents did not submit to censorship. In response, the vice dean cancelled the cocktail after the ceremony. Parents argued with the vice dean, saying, “These students are free individuals at the age of 25, 26.”
Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University not only removed the phrases “sexual orientation and gender identity” from the oath but also replaced the term “honor” with “decency.” Students organized a silent protest at their graduation in response.
Law enforcement harassment in Ereğli: In Zonguldak’s Ereğli district, the Public Security Bureau Chief’s Office teams initiated an investigation against two individuals through an operation. Media reports indicated that one of the individuals under investigation was transgender.
Police officers prevented a bag with rainbow colors from entering the Parliament: LGBTI+ rights activist Nedime Erdoğan, a member of the Rainbow Families Association (GALADER), was prevented by the police from entering the Parliament with her rainbow-themed bag during a visit. She was allowed to enter the Parliament only after her bag was confiscated.
Beach closure in Bursa: Fatih Karabatı, Mayor of Bursa Karacabey from the İyi (Good) Party, closed the women’s beach in the district. Karabatı commented on social media that “No need to keep a beach inhabited by lesbians.”
Digital game bans: According to the information reflected in the media, Tell Me Why and Dragon Age games were banned due to their LGBTI+ content, even though no official statement has been issued.
RTÜK President threatened Medyascope: In a message posted on social media, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) President threatened Medyascope, which recommends LGBTI+ themed TV series and films, saying, “We have our eyes on you.”
Transphobia from LC Waikiki: A trans woman working at an LC Waikiki store was dismissed from her job on the grounds of “disturbing domestic peace.”
Attack on Mika Raun: Trans woman Mika Raun announced that she and her boyfriend were attacked.
Targeting
Republican Women’s Association, Yeni Akit newspaper, Great Family Platform continued to target LGBTI+ persons. The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) hosted the Grand Family Platform and made statements targeting LGBTI+ persons.
Confusion of statements at the Republican Women’s Association: It appears that the Republican Women’s Association was also preparing for Pride Month this year, not just LGBTI+ community. The Vice President of the Republican Women’s Association and the President of the Izmir Great Family Platform targeted the Izmir Bar Association for greeting LGBTI+ Pride Month. The head of the Kayseri Branch of the Association said, “We are against LGBT organization,” and the Eskişehir Branch joined this series of press statements. The Denizli Branch also issued a written statement, and the chairman organized a press release amidst the chaos of press releases. The association collected signatures in Izmir and held a press conference in Çukurova. Furthermore, the association reiterated its discriminatory demands in Istanbul.
Yeni Akit targeted Pera Museum: While Yeni Akit newspaper criticized the Pera Museum for its activities, the museum emphasized its “contribution to social life” in a statement.
Discriminatory words from the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly: The Speaker, who accommodated the Grand Family Platform, labelled LGBTI+ individuals as deviants.
Discriminatory magazine supported by Diyanet: A digital family magazine, which is support by Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), published an issue titled “Destruction of Fıtrat: Desexualisation,” targeting LGBTI+ community.
Great Family Platform targeted LGBTI+ persons: The general secretary of the platform targeted LGBTI+ organizations with a statement during Pride Month.
LGBTI+ evaluations of the President: At the presentation of the Ministry of Family and Social Services’ action plan targeting LGBTI+ individuals, President Erdoğan attributed the decline in birth rates to LGBTI+ policies by referring to them as “desexualisation policies.” At the “Century Of Türkiye Education Model” promotion meeting, he called on everyone to join hands against “desexualisation.”
Courses of the cases
The Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the LGBTI+ rights activist.
Verdict from the Constitutional Court about Kaya: In 2019, LGBTI+ rights activist Efruz Kaya, who participated in a November 20 video, requested an access ban for discriminatory news about him. The Constitutional Court ruled that the rejection of this request by the Criminal Judicature of Peace constituted a violation.
Ahmet Yıldız case: The 40th hearing of the Ahmet Yıldız case was held on June 27. The court rejected the request to hear the family members and adjourned the trial to April 17 in 2025.
Kaos GL’s 2024 Hate Crime Survey has started!
Kaos GL’s Hate Crime Report conducted between 2013-2020 continues in 2024. The research will be used to report human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI+).
The information obtained as a result of the research will be analysed and a 2024 report on hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity will be prepared. The report will be shared with national and international organizations and will contribute to efforts to develop an adequate hate crimes legislation and policy for Turkey in all respects.
Click here to participate in the research.
Translation: Selma Koçak
Tags: human rights
