09/07/2024 | Writer: Kaos GL
The Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) LGBTI+ Bureau issued a statement in response to the homophobic discourse targeting TİP PM member and journalist İrfan Değirmenci. The statement read, “İrfan’s brave statement encourages us.”
Photograph: TİP
The Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) LGBTI+ Bureau issued a statement in response to the homophobic discourse targeting TİP PM member and journalist İrfan Değirmenci.
Full text of the statement is as follows:
“Our Party Assembly member İrfan Değirmenci has been targeted in recent days for his anti-fascist statements. The fact that he maintains his stance against all discrimination that threatens social peace will disturb the groups that feed on discrimination. İrfan’s brave statement against the bullying he was subjected to, encourages us: ‘We are at peace with ourselves, we don’t get hurt!’
We greet with our solidarity and organization those who are trying to exclude us from the life, from politics and from class struggle. We will not allow İrfan Değirmenci or any other LGBTI+ member to be targeted by your organized hate effort.”
What happened?
A part of İrfan Değirmenci’s video, broadcasted on his YouTube channel on July 3rd, in which he criticised Turkey A footballer Merih Demiral during the Austria-Turkey match on July 2nd, was cut out and used to launch an attacking campaign on social media.
In response to the discriminatory comments on the video, Değirmenci said: “Those who want to lynch me for my behavior and actions have tried to hit below the belt. I am at peace with my LGBTI identity. Stop throwing straws against the wind!”
Tags: human rights
