Turkey News Reports 2007

Buse Kilickaya who is a member of Pink Life Association issued a press statement with supports from other LGBT organizations including Kaos GL and Lambda Istanbul to protest the latest violent attacks against the transgender community in Ankara.

On January 16, 2007, some people who were in a green Ford Taurus attacked the transgender people who were walking down on Kolej and Baglar Streets of Ankara. Four transgenders were injured seriously.This wasn't the first time we were attacked. In April 2006, in Eryaman district of Ankara, we were systematically targeted. Most of the transgender people were injured and were forced to move out. The same car, green Taurus, was present during those attacks as well. In the last 2 weeks similar incidents occurred in other districts of Ankara as well.

The question that we should ask is how these attackers can be so out of control. As the citizens of Turkey, we also have the right to live free.The governmental institutions that are responsible to protect us do not do anything to help us although we provided the security officials the plate number of the cars and detailed descriptions of the attackers. We know that pretending not to see the crime is being a part of that crime.

For this reason we are warning the officials: You are committing crimes! All the chances for us to study, work or live like the remaining of the society is taken away from us therefore we are forced to become sexworkers. As long as you dont take away the barriers built for us we will continue to face violence and discrimination and you will be a part of this crime. Transgender rights are human rights. Law is for everyone. Everybody should be entitled to have equal rights and not face discrimination based on ethnic origin, language, religion, gender, sexual orientation or sexual identity. We will continue to fight to gain our basic rights to live like human beings.Transgender rights are human rights. We invite everyone who believes inhuman rights to support us.

Pink Lifes Email: pembehayat@pembehayat.org

HISTORY OF TURKISH TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY: Turkeys transgender people have become more visible especially starting from 1990s. Under the military regime in the early 1980s, any form ofsocial deviance was severely repressed and sexual deviance, or flouting norms for gendered conduct, was seen as particularly dangerous. Sex-reassignment surgery was banned in Turkey, and when Bulent Ersoy, a celebrated singer, obtained an operation abroad, her music was also prohibited. After a long legal struggle, in 1988 the 29th clause of theTurkish Civil Code was finally amended, to state that in cases where there has been a change of sex after birth, documented by a report from a committee of medical experts, the necessary amendments are made to the birth certificate.

Male-to-female postoperative transgender people could obtain the pink card certifying their new gender.Yet many transgender people did not want the surgery; others could not afford it. The lack of a state ID corresponding to their apparent gender left them in a legal limbo. Prejudice continued to be enormous. InTurkey, newspaper articles routinely paint transgender people not as victims of violence, but as dangerous aggressors. Denied employment, most transgender people practice sex work which redoubles the prejudice against them.Memories of repression run long.

In the months before the 1996 United Nations Human Settlements Program (Habitat) conference was to be held in Istanbul, authorities evidently decided on further steps to clean up the city. A community of dozens of transgender people had grown up in Ulker Street, in the Cihangir district of the city. One police officer, Suleyman Ulusoy, determined to drive them from the area. Over months, transvestites were arrested on the street and subjected to brutal torture. Even after the community was broken up, persecution of transvestites in central Istanbul continued unabated.

Since 1996, many transgender people have been driven from the heart of major cities, the communities they formed disbanded. But the abuses go on. Transgender people still tell stories of torture and sexual abuse at the hands of police. In Turkey, prostitution in licensed brothels is legal, but the Penal Code bars unlicensed sex work. Only women are allowed to work in the licensed brothels and few if any post-operative transgender people, even with the pink card, have gained that right; hence transgender sex workers are driven onto the street, at the mercy of the police. There, they are subject to arbitrary arrest, prohibitive fines,and repressive regimes of medical testing: a steady round of humiliations.

TURKISH LGBT ORGANIZATIONS: There are (3) legally registered LGBT organizations that gained non-governmental organization status by the
Turkish government: Kaos GL in the city Ankara, Rainbow Association in the city of Bursa and Pink Life in the city of Ankara. Lambda Istanbulwhich is the most vocal LGBT organization in Istanbul is still awaiting for its petition. Kaos GL, which was founded in 1994, finally applied to Interior Ministry and attained legal status in July 2006 but it faced the risk of closure. An official demand to ban Turkey's first LGBT rights association was rejected by a prosecutor on October 12, 2005, allowing the KAOS Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association to continue to operate.

On March 3, 2006 Rainbow Solidarity and Cultural Association for Transgenders, Gays and Lesbians was established in the city of Bursa, becoming the second legally registered LGBT organization in Turkey. An official demand to ban this LGBT rights association in the city of Bursa was rejected by a prosecutor on October 6, 2006, allowing the Rainbow Solidarity and Cultural Association to continue to operate.Turkey's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual Solidarity Association formally founded the Pink Life support association in capital Ankara on June 30, 2006 in wake of a growing number of attacks and discrimination targeting the country's transgendered community. However it faced the risk of closure. But the official demand to ban Pink Life was rejected by a prosecutor Kursat Kayral on November 2, 2006, allowing the association to continue to operate.

TURKISH LGBT COMMUNITY'S DEMAND TO FOR TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY: Kaos GL and Pink Life organizations in Ankara as well as Lambda Istanbul in Istanbul have numerously called on the government to improve the lives of the Turkish transgender community including: Enacting legislation providing protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Eliminating vague and sweeping laws against indecency,exhibitionism, and offenses against public morality, which can be used to harass or persecute people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity especially on transgendered people. Developing programs, in cooperation with transgender communities, to open employment possibilities outside sex work for transgender people desiring it.

Training all criminal justice system officials on principles of human rights and non-discrimination, including those relating to sexual orientation and gender identity; develop these training programs incooperation with civil society groups, including lesbians, gays,bisexuals, transgender people and sex workers. Ending restrictive requirements for sex reassignment surgery and subsequent change of legal gender, particularly the requirement that person be sterilized before sex reassignment surgery can take place. Eliminating repressive regulations allowing involuntary registration and medical testing of sex workers. Enacting standards for therapeutic interventions with transgender people, including sex reassignment surgery, in consultation with transgender people.

Kaos GL is a LGBT organization and a legally registered non-governmental organization that publishes a bi-monthly magazine to completely cover Turkey.

Please refer any questions to: news@kaosgl.com and refer to theweb site for information: http://news.kaosgl.com/

www.turkishdailynews.com.tr
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=69244

6 April 2007

Subject: Turkey’s first gay and lesbians students club established at Bilgi University
From: news@kaosgl.com
To: GlobalGayz.com

2
Turkey’s first gay and lesbians students club established at Bilgi University April 6, 2007 By Safak Timur - Turkish Daily News

“In order to block homophobia and liberalize lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) by setting a wider area for them within campus
borders,” around 15 students came together and founded Bilgi Gokkusagi Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students club in Istanbul's Bilgi University a couple of weeks ago. They Applied to the university administration officially and were approved. Still giving interviews to mainstream media, the Bilgi Gokkusagi LGBT Club, Turkey's first official students club on LGBTs, prefers to take a formal identity rather than moving unofficially, aiming to make LGBTs more visible.

“Friends found [other] friends. … We asked ourselves: why don't we found a club?” Bilgi Gokkusagi volunteer Izlem Aybasti said. “There were people conscious of organized struggle.” Aybasti who is also among the founders of the club was highly satisfied with the attitude of the university administration towards the club. They were proud of the club volunteers when Bilgi Gokkusagi was on a mainstream daily last week, she said. The university administration is liberal and democratic, according to Aybasti. They provide space for any thought.

Bilgi Gokkusagi is a work of five months, but it is functioning as an official students club for three weeks. The club is open to anyone who wants to get rid of his or her homophobia. They organize regular meetings per week. The meetings are now just to meet with more students, but in the future they were planned to be a platform for discussion.

Questioning gender roles, for any gender:

Aybasti consciously avoided using the word “homosexual,” saying that the concept was used in the 19th century to imply a disease that needed treatment. She proposed the abbreviation LGBT, which consists of the first letters of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, as she was diving into a deep conversation about the gender roles and the dominant character of heterosexism in the world. “We are living in a world that you are accepted as a heterosexual unless you open yourself up,” she noted.

Discussing heterosexism, homophobia, and gender roles as critical for both LGBTs and heterosexuals, Aybast? said, “We want to drive people to question … drive both LGBTs and heterosexuals. ”Homophobia is not only the problem of heterosexuals she added. It is not right to expect LGBTs to go beyond their homophobias as they live in this heterosexist world too, Aybast? said. “They struggle with fear and shame as they realized that they are not heterosexual, they think that they are not normal or this is a disease,” she said. That's why Bilgi Gokkusagi plans to collaborate with the Psychological Consultant Unit of the university to support LGBTs.

Among the other plans of Bilgi Gokkusagi there is a fanzine, and they are planning to prepare it in the university canteen, to draw more attention. Panels, screening films and joint workshops with other clubs are other plans of Bilgi Gokkusagi for the future. There will also be posters to show people something about LGBTs that they have never seen before. Aybasti does not think that Turkey is a more difficult country for LGBTs. The struggle started later than the European countries, she said, so they have more acquired rights. “Heterosexism is dominant everywhere,” she commented.

--
Kaos GL is a LGBT organization and a legally registered
non-governmental organization that publishes a bi-monthly magazine to
completely cover Turkey. Please refer any questions to:
news@kaosgl.com and refer to the
web site for information: http://news.kaosgl.com/

Turkish Daily News
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=70201

From: news@kaosgl.com
To: GlobalGayz.com

10 April 2007

3
Turkey's gay-lesbians on their way to be recognized April 9, 2007

by Safak Timur – Turkish Daily News
Generations in Turkey grew up with the fabulous voice and around 200 compositions of the classical Turkish music performer Zeki Muren, who dared to sing with a man's body in women's clothes and make-up in 1950's Turkey. Turks called their first Golden Record awarded artist the ‘sun of art', never openly referring to him as ‘gay' but rather as ‘extraordinary.' Muren was not the only one with different sexual tendencies and was followed by Bulent Ersoy, whose approved talent in the same art competed from time to time with her transsexual identity. The children of this country grew up unaware of the existence of gays and lesbians, but they were condemned by their parents -who rarely talk about sex- for not enjoying Ersoy or Muren's music. Just until the development of Turkey's own gay-lesbian-transgender movement, ‘extraordinary' sexual tendencies continued to be lived behind four walls, as reflected in Ersoy's choice to call the ban on her for taking stage because of her transsexual identity after 1980 military coup as ‘the internal affairs of our country', in an interview abroad.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement in Turkey accelerated by the 1990s. Today, it has reached to a level that gay and lesbian university students can apply for an official student club. The movement itself prefers to use the abbreviation LGBT, referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender; instead of ‘homosexual', due to its negative connotation as a disease rather than a sexual tendency. Although Turkey's LBGT activists generally emphasize that it is the patriarchal system behind sexual discrimination, which is found worldwide, they mainly acknowledge that Turkey stands at the beginning of the road to gain LGBT rights, with a need to fight more strongly against sexual discrimination than their counterparts in the West. In the West, the way is more open in the struggle against homophobia and making society more conscious, as they have gained legal rights, said Burcu Ersoy, the 27 year old KAOS Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Organization (KAOS GL) activist from Ankara, as she compared the LGBT movement in the West to Turkey. “We are continuing in this way too,” she said.

The laws are important to transform the society, 26 year old LAMBDA Istanbul Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite, Transsexual Solidarity Organization volunteer Sinan commented. But the laws alone cannot eliminate homophobia and transphobia, another LAMBDA Istanbul activist Bawer added. “What is critical is to break the prejudices,” he said. The first and only gay lesbian magazine in Turkey: KAOS GL, one among several LGBT organizations in Turkey, publicized its struggle against homophobia in 1994 with Turkey's first and only gay-lesbian magazine KAOS GL. Starting its life through a photocopy machine, KAOS GL magazine has continued to survive for 11 years as a ground for Turkey's LGBTs to say their own words.

“Those 16 pages, copied in a photocopy machine will be remembered as a turning point in the lives of those women and men, who will take a shelter under the love of their own gender and stand with this love even a hundred years later,” current columnist in daily Radikal Yýldýrým Turker wrote about KAOS GL magazine in the 66th issue of the magazine Express in 1995. The 28th issue of KAOS GL magazine which criticized pornography was recalled with the accusation of obscene publication, and the court decided that the issue had to be sold in a plastic bag and its sale to minors under 18 was to be prohibited. The case is now in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Burcu Ersoy said, because of their appeal for the court's reasoning to put the issue in plastic bags. KAOS GL is based in Ankara and has 50 members officially. But the real number of volunteers is greatly above that number, as many decline to disclose that they work with us, Ersoy said. Izmir also has a branch of KAOS GL. The organization stands out with its legal struggle for LGBT rights. From opposing sexually discriminating court decisions to proposing to add ‘discrimination of sexual tendency' next to ‘gender discrimination' in the criminal code, KAOS GL struggles to prevent hate crimes against LGBTs.

Leaping over barriers, inside and out: LAMBDA Istanbul activists declined to give their surnames, worrying about effects of media exposure; although they posed to the cameras after learning that the TDN is a daily in English. The media, as the fourth estate, can unfortunately also become a destructive force for LGBTs, by hitting on sexual prejudices in the society consciously or unconsciously. Some media reports abusing LGBTs by using them as material for entertainment or humiliation was among the activists' main complaints, but they also acknowledged respectful reports. The story of Turkey's first gay-lesbian hotel in Mediterranean Fethiye is an example. The hotel was opened two years ago and forced to be closed down last year, the former manager Turgay told, as it became known through reports in a number of mainstream dailies and journals. The reports were reasonable, he said, but problems started shortly after. The military police came to the hotel several times at night, Turgay said and finally he was told that the military police could not provide security there. They started to wake up with fire shots after that, he claimed, leading to the closure of the hotel due to a small problem in the deed of the property. The management license of the hotel was taken away from the property owner, Turgay concluded and the story of the first gay-lesbian hotel ended, despite the possibility of high profits by bringing a nonexistent facility into the Turkish tourism sector. Turgay now manages a gay café in Istanbul's Beyoðlu.

No choice but prostitution: Transsexuals and transvestites feel the oppression much more than gays, lesbians and bisexuals LAMBDA Istanbul activists said, since they are more visible. But they are not aware of the rights they have, leading to a high degree of abuse and discrimination transgender Ebru said, recounting the activities of LAMBDA Istanbul. LAMBDA Istanbul organizes education seminars for LGBTs to inform them about their rights when exposed to violence. There are several working groups under LAMBDA Istanbul, including the transvestite and transsexual working group.

“There are transphobic friends in LAMBDA, and this makes us sad,” Ebru said, as she explained their need to form a separate working group. The struggle of transvestites and transsexuals focusing on legal issues and the right to work is now a main concern. “They do not leave us any choice but prostitution,” 46 year old Ebru said. She was working in Zonguldak municipality before she acknowledged her transgender identity. “They fired me as soon as they learned,” she said. The oppression from police forces is overwhelming, Ebru said. They raid homes of transvestites and transsexuals and collect the condoms that the ministry of health distributed as evidence, she astoundingly added, “What could these people do, steal?” LAMBDA Istanbul first came together to organize the Gays Pride Week in Turkey in 1993. Not giving up, the volunteers continued to meet for 9 years and became officially registered last year The aim of LAMBDA Istanbul is to provide more visibility for LGBTs, said Didar, from the media group of LAMBDA Istanbul.

“We exist and we are everywhere. The main idea behind getting organized is to feel that we are not alone,” LAMBDA Istanbul activists said. “You are neither alone, nor wrong,” Sinan reminded the slogan of the organization. Double discrimination against lesbian women: Gender roles make things more complicated for lesbians and women transgenders. Women are already regarded as pretty much nonexistent, but it is a double discrimination for lesbians, KAOS GL volunteer Burcu Ersoy said. Gay women have different problems, she commented, and they took the back seat in the LGBT struggle in comparison to male gays. They are even forced to get married, Ersoy added.

The typical role for lesbians was to be a part of sexual fantasies or they were approved for envying to be a male, a more supreme being, transgender Sinan said, of course unless you stay behind the definite limits. Having lived in the United States for a while, Sinan said he faced lots of problems in the U.S. too. “There are hate crimes there too,” he added.
--
Kaos GL is a LGBT organization and a legally registered non-governmental organization that publishes a bi-monthly magazine to completely cover Turkey. Please refer any questions to: news@kaosgl.com and refer to the web site for information: http://news.kaosgl.com/

The Associated Press
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/02/europe/EU-GEN-Turkey-Gay-Life.php?page=2

May 2, 2007

4
Despite Turkey's reforms, gay community says it lacks legal protections

In the 1980s and 1990s, Turkish police routinely raided gay bars, detained transvestites, and banned homosexual conferences and festivals. Next month, in a sign of how the state has loosened up, gay activists will hold forums on several university campuses to discuss their rights and the discrimination they still face. Gays in Turkey say they lack legal protections and face social stigma in a Muslim nation with a secular tradition of government that has implemented broad reforms in its bid to join the European Union but remains heavily influenced by conservative and religious values. For the most part, they face less pressure than in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries where Islamic codes are enforced with more rigor.

However, Turkey's homosexuals are jostling for more rights in a crowded field. The historical feud between Turks and Armenians, as well as the concerns of ethnic Kurds and minority Christians, attract more international attention and pressure for change on the Turkish government.

The issue that got the magazine in trouble showed two images of men in explicit sexual poses, beside an article that editors described as an analysis of issues relating to pornography. The magazine first published in 1994, and became legal when it secured a license five years later. It comes out every two months, and has a circulation of up to 1,000. In recent years, Turkey reworked its penal code to bring it into line with European standards. The new version does not specifically ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, although the issue was discussed at the draft stage.

Justice Ministry officials had said that laws barring discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, religion and political views were enough to protect its citizens. "There are some 'hate crime' articles in the criminal code, but they are not used appropriately," said Levent Korkut, head of Amnesty International's operations in Turkey. "Impunity is a problem in this area." He noted that even some Turks who describe themselves as liberals say: "We don't want to protect these people.'"

Gay sex is not a crime in Turkey, and some clubs and cinemas in big cities openly cater to homosexuals. Gay and lesbian societies exist at several universities. But the vast majority of homosexuals remain discreet in a country where liberal views have yet to make inroads in rural areas and many urban settings. Municipalities have some leeway to introduce laws safeguarding "morality," which gay activists view as a potential threat to their freedom. Some gays, notably poet Murathan Mungan and the late singer Zeki Muren, achieved celebrity status and openly acknowledged their sexual orientation. Similarly, historians and novelists have referred to a degree of tolerance for gay sex among some sectors of the elite during the Ottoman Empire centuries ago.

Yet, for many, being homosexual is an exercise in deception. One gay man, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was distraught years ago because high school classmates kept calling him "ibne," a derogatory word for gay in Turkish. The man, now a university student, said he avoids physical contact with his boyfriend when they are in public, and passes him off as a close friend. He said he is often mocked if he wears an article of clothing that people think is feminine. Unable to find regular jobs, many transvestites and transsexuals work as prostitutes, an often dangerous profession that has led to the murders of some at the hands of clients.

Some deadly "hate crimes" were never publicized because police did not reveal the sexual orientation of the victims, according to gay activists. In some cases, they said, gays who were harassed or physically harmed because of their orientation did not report the incident or go to court because they wanted to avoid scrutiny. The European Union has funded gay groups in Turkey, which sometimes coordinate with the Turkish Ministry of Health and other government agencies. Kaos GL has links to Lambda Istanbul, a gay group in Turkey's biggest city, and will host an "international anti-homophobia" meeting on university campuses in Ankara next month.

"We want to share and learn the experiences of all gays and lesbians who struggle against homophobia in the Middle East, Balkans, Europe and the other parts of the world," the group said in a statement. It has invited international speakers, including journalists and European lawmakers who will discuss gay issues in their own countries. The Kaos GL magazine paid tribute to Hrant Dink, an ethnic Armenian journalist who was allegedly slain by extremist nationalists in January, by printing a somber image of him on the back cover of a recent issue. "Those people who murdered Hrant Dink do not like us either," Erol said.

Kaos GL is a LGBT organization and a legally registered non-governmental organization that publishes a bi-monthly magazine to completely cover Turkey. Please refer any questions to: news@kaosgl.com and refer to the web site for information: http://news.kaosgl.com

yazberlin.de
http://www.yazberlin.de/englisch/index.html

5
From: YazBerlin

Turkish Lesbian, gays, bisexuals and Transsexuals/Transgender are arranging this summer for the first time a meeting which will be arranged every year from now on. This year “YazBerlin” (SummerBerlin) will be from June 18th – June 22nd in the association rooms of GLADT. We expect participants from all around Germany and Europe (including Turkey ).

All information about the meeting (including this years program and the signing form) are available on YazBerlins self made website: www.yazberlin.de (Turkish, German, English). For any other question you can contact the YazBerlin Team from Monday –Thursday: 030/26 55 66 33 Or any time: yazberlin@gladt.de.

We would be very happy if many people could participate in the meeting between the Motz Street festival and the Berlin CSD. So we greatly appreciate if you send this email to other interested people.

Ersan
For GLADT – YazBerlin Team

Turkish Daily News
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=73099

May 16, 2007

6
“Mom! I'm homosexual” book supported by the World Bank

Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Organization (Kaos GL) has published a book titled “Stories from My Dearest Family: Mom! Dad! I'm homosexual” with the support of World Bank. The book, which was prepared for the Mothers' Day, is based on the experiences of homosexuals -- both who have discussed their sexuality openly with their families and those who have not. “Mothers' Day has always been seen as an event for heterosexual families, but homosexuals have parents, too,” said Ali Erol, one of the founders of Kaos GL. “We aim to make peace between families and homosexuals.” According to Erol, the book aims to make parents ask themselves if their children could come out in case they were homosexual. The World Bank donated $5,000 to Kaos GL last year for the protection and promotion of marginal groups. The funds covered half of the book's costs. Second agreement with World Bank on a project on discrimination in universities is reportedly on the way.

Turkish Daily News
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=73527

May 18, 2007

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Int'l meeting against homophobia under way

Ankara - Turkish Daily News
A two-day international meeting against homophobia kicked off yesterday in the Turkish capital, with most speakers focusing on the legal vacuum in safeguarding the rights of homosexuals in Turkey and abroad. Zehra Kabasakal, expert on political science and women studies, discussed the issue in the context of international human rights, complaining that the United Nations is lacking a universal charter on the rights of homosexuals and that none of the U.N. documents make a direct reference to homosexuality.

“We must recognize the diversity in order to achieve equality for human dignity and we must ensure genuine equality,” she told the conference audience. Kabasakal, referring to the two separate milestones at the international level on the rights of homosexuals, said one was the removal by the World Health Organization of homosexuality from the list of the mental illnesses in May 1990, and the other was the adoption of the Yogyakarta Principles in November 2006 which address a broad range of international human rights standards and their application to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Another guest speaker Börje Vestlund, Social Democrat Party member of the Swedish Parliament, said seven homosexuals, including himself, sit in the 349-member Swedish Parliament and expressed hope to see homosexuals members in the future Turkish Parliament. Anette Trettebergstuen, Labor Party member of the Norwegian Parliament, said the Norwegian parliament has three LGBT (an acronym for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender). She said the gender mutual marriage act would come into force in Norway in 2009. The last speaker of the conference, Kürsad Kahramanoglu, member of Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Organization (Kaos GL), called on the states to adopt the Yogyakarta Principles. He also emphasized that homosexuals in Turkey give full support for Turkey's ambitions to become a member of the European Union, since it would also improve the rights of homosexuals in Turkey.

A 20-minute documentary was on display in the beginning of the conference, which depicted interviews with homosexuals, who said they lack legal protections and face social stigma in Turkey and fall victim to discrimination and violence in society.

edgeboston.com
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=20474&pf=1

Friday May 18, 2007

8
Turkey Hosts Conference on Anti-Gay Attitudes

by Kilian Melloy, EDGE Boston Contributor
Turkey hosted a two-day meeting on the issue of homophobia this week, with representatives from several nations addressing the problem of anti-gay attitudes in society and in law, both in Turkey and elsewhere around the globe. The Turkish Daily News reported on the meeting, which began May 17 and May 18. The meeting began with a 20-minute documentary about the plight of gays in Turkey, in which homosexual Turks talking about anti-gay prejudice, discrimination and violence in Turkish law and culture. One point of discussion was the lack, on the part of the U.N., of a universal charter that would comprehensively lay out the rights of gays and lesbians internationally. Zehra Kabasakal spoke to this topic, saying, "We must recognize the diversity in order to achieve equality for human dignity and we must ensure genuine equality."

Kabasakal, whose specialty is in the fields of women’s rights and political science, bemoaned the lack of any concrete statement regarding gays and lesbians in any of the U.N.’s documents. Kabasakal cited the scanty patchwork of international initiatives that address the needs of gays and lesbians worldwide, specifically the World Health Organization’s 1990 removal of homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses and the 2006 adoption of the so-called "Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity," a set of recommendations and guidelines that address international standards of human rights for gays, lesbians, and transgendered people.

Guest speakers also included Börje Vestlund, one of seven gay members of the Sweden’s 349-member Parliament, and Anette Trettebergstuen, one of three LGBT members of the Norwegian Parliament. Accoding to the Turkish Daily report, Vestlund gave voice to the hope that the Turkish Parliament might also one day include openly gay members, while Trettebergstuen told attendees that Norway’s "gender mutual marriage act" would come into effect in 2009.

The Turkish GLBT group Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Organization also had a presence at the meeting. In October 2005, Kaos won a court case brought against them by the deputy governor of Ankara, who sought to shut the group down. At this week’s meeting, according to the Turkish Daily News, KAOS member Kürsad Kahramanoglu spoke about Turkey’s aspirations to join the European Union and the effect that would have on Turkey’s domestic policies toward gays. Kahramanoglu also encouraged EU member nations to adopt officially the Yogyakarta Principles.

The text of the Yogyakarta Principles, along with other information, is available online at www.yogyakartaprinciples.org

From: Kaos GL Association, Ankara
Kaos GL, Izmir
Lambda Istanbul LGBTT Provident Society
MorEl ( PurpleHand) Eskisehir LGBTT Initiative Pembe Hayat LGBTT Association

July 2007

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Monitoring the Human Rights and Law Commission of LGBTT

Monitoring the Human Rights and Law Commission of LGBTT Individuals in Turkey Homosexual organizations in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir are recording the human rights violations that gay, lesbian, drag, transsexual individuals are facing. The organizations are calling out to LGBTT individuals who are subject to discrimination and violence. Up until now, homosexual individuals solely have got into contact with homosexual organizations when they were subjected to any kind of discrimination and violence. However, the organizations either couldnt record this information regularly or they recorded them missing the important points that secure data within the circle of case. They couldnt go back to the records later and follow the process, neither.

While homosexual organizations giving voice that they struggle in the fields of human rights, they generally give ordinary and memorized answers to the violations that homosexual individuals are facing and also turn off the questions like how many violations were faced by them last year and how was the distribution of violations? which right is abused the most? Besides, the other human rights organizations havent been interested in homosexual victims systematically and they havent utilized the human rights mechanisms effectively concerning their problems.

Taking into account all these deficiencies and needs, the organizations like Kaos GL, Kaos GL Izmir, Pembe Hayat( Pink Life) and Lambdaistanbul started to work together at the Project called Efficient Utilization of the Human Rights Mechanisms for the LGBTT Individuals . By the help of this project, that is prepared to solving all these problems, by raising the capacity of homosexual organizations, it is aimed to provide them utilize the national and international human rights mechanisms efficiently and to fetter, monitor and report the violations against homosexual individuals.

Kaos GL and Pembe Hayat (Pink Life) LGBTT organization in Ankara, Kaos GL Izmir organization in Izmir and Lambdaistanbul LGBTT organization in Istanbul call for homosexual individuals to tell the human rights violations that are living.

OUR FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION CAN NOT BE HINDERED

As LGBTT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Drag, Transsexual) individuals, our rights are being violated in every field of our lives and we are subjected to discrimination. However, when we want to struggle against these human rights abuses and discrimination our organization is wanted to be hindered. There are bureaucratic, institutional and social difficulties over against the LGBTT individuals organization at associations. These obstacles have to be removed.

We think that, violations towards the LGBBT organizations that are occurred against the freedom of thought, expression and association in May are important as for the displaying of LGBTT individuals problems in the field of human rights. For a democratic and free world, we demand the elimination of all barriers against the freedom of association.

When we want to form an association as homosexuals, they want to hinder us with the article it can not be formed an association contrary to the law and morals laying before us. By the refusal of closing case by office of the director of public prosecutions, Kaos GL completed its organization process. However, Lambdaistanbul and Pembe Hayat (Pink Life) LGBTT provident societies that apply for being association with the same statutes faced with obstructive attitudes of Ankara and Istanbul governorships. After the filing to associations desk, both of the desks by filing a paper to the office of the public prosecutor demanded the closure of these two associations.

Directory of Public Prosecutions of Ankara and Istanbul again refused the file of associations desk by reason of these associations havent been impedimenting contradiction to law and morals. But, associations desks of Ankara and Istanbul governorships by disputing this decision, resorted to the court above. The fifth assize court in Istanbul decided to file a suit. Now, Lambdaistanbul LGBTT provident society, that has been struggled for the rights of homosexuals, is wanted to be closed. Our association cant be closed. Our freedom of association can not be hindered

On the other hand, Pembe Hayat (Pink Life) LGBTT provident society due to organizing general meeting as acting in accordance with the decision of Directory of Public Prosecutions chairman was imposed to a money penalty of 498 YTL by the reason of organizing general meeting before its legal time. attitude that is punitive and restricting the freedoms in the direction of how a NGO to be organized, isnt democratic, but is obstructive for the development of civil society. We protest this attitude. We condemn the non-civil interventions against civil society.

On 15 May 2007 it is gone to Esat Police Station to make press statement in the protesting the arbitrary custody, bad treatment and letting of unjust money penalties using the criminal law as a reason against drags and transsexuals of Esat Police Station. But by the policemen who are in duty at Esat Police Station the press statement was tried to be hindered. In view of press, the members of Pembe Hayat (Pink Life) LGBTT provident society were subjected to bad treatment and torture. We will not permit the disturbance of our freedom of thought, expression, and association. We will continue to out the human rights abuses and to struggle in field of human rights of homosexuals.

Türk Egitimsen Hatay Dortyol Branch made a criminal complaint about LGBT Student Club of Istanbul Bilgi University by reason of it gives permission to the organization of homosexual students. Also, Higher Education Council (YOK) opened an inquiry against Istanbul Bilgi University and demand a defence. We condemn this attempt against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, drag and transsexual individualss freedom of association. The access to the internet web sites of Kaos GL, Pembe Hayat (Pink Life) and Lambdaistanbul association is blocked from the all computers within the campus of Anadolu University in Eskisehir. Univesity students are faced with a warning Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Interest or Adult Content together with a bording The Access to This Web Site is Blocked. This blockage is a human right violation against the LGBTT individualss freedom of thought, expression and association. We protest this position that we are subjected to and this frustration against the lgbtt indiviualss freedom of expression, information and communication due to nothing but we are lesbians, gays, bisexuals, drags, transsexuals!

The efforts for frustration against the organization of LGBTT individuals are discrimination and is an attack against the freedom of association. We will not be silent against these attacks.

Associated Press
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.gay15jul15,0,99051.story?coll=

July 15, 2007

10
Gays in Turkey jostling for more rights

Ankara, Turkey - In the 1980s and 1990s, Turkish police routinely raided gay bars, detained transvestites and banned homosexual conferences and festivals. In May, in a sign of how the state has loosened up, gay activists held forums on several university campuses to discuss their rights and the discrimination they still face. Some delegates came from Norway and Sweden, and discussion topics included homophobia, the history of homosexuality and gay life on campuses. Gays in Turkey say they lack legal protections and face social stigma in a Muslim nation with a secular tradition of government that has implemented broad reforms in its bid to join the European Union - but remains heavily influenced by conservative and religious values. For the most part, they face less pressure than in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries where Islamic codes are enforced with more rigor.

But Turkey's homosexuals are jostling for more rights in a crowded field. The historical feud between Turks and Armenians, as well as the concerns of ethnic Kurds and minority Christians, attract more international attention and pressure for change on the Turkish government.

"There are so many problems in Turkey," Ali Erol, a member of the gay rights group Kaos GL, said in an interview in his office in Ankara, the Turkish capital. "It looks as though gay rights are put down below in the list of things to be taken care of." In March, the chief editor of the group's magazine, Kaos GL, was acquitted of charges that he had illegally published pornography in a July 2006 issue after a judge noted that copies were seized before they were put on sale. The editor, Umut Guner, could have faced several years in jail if convicted. The issue that got the magazine in trouble showed two images of men in explicit sexual poses, beside an article that editors described as an analysis of issues relating to pornography. The magazine first published in 1994, and became legal when it secured a license five years later. It comes out every two month and has a circulation of up to 1,000.

In recent years, Turkey reworked its penal code to bring it into line with European standards. The new version does not specifically ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, although the issue was discussed at the draft stage. Justice Ministry officials had said that laws barring discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, religion and political views were enough to protect its citizens.

"There are some 'hate crime' articles in the criminal code, but they are not used appropriately," said Levent Korkut, head of Amnesty International's operations in Turkey. "Impunity is a problem in this area."

He noted that even some Turks who describe themselves as liberals say: "We don't want to protect these people."

Yet, for many, being homosexual is an exercise in deception. One gay man, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was distraught years ago because high school classmates kept calling him ibne, a derogatory word for gay in Turkish. The man, now a university student, said he avoids physical contact with his boyfriend when they are in public and passes him off as a close friend. He said he is often mocked if he wears an article of clothing that people think is feminine. Unable to find regular jobs, many transvestites and transsexuals work as prostitutes, an often-dangerous profession that has led to the murders of some at the hands of clients.

Some deadly "hate crimes" were never publicized because police did not reveal the sexual orientation of the victims, according to gay activists. In some cases, they said, gays who were harassed or physically harmed because of their orientation did not report the incident or go to court because they wanted to avoid scrutiny. The European Union has funded gay groups in Turkey, which sometimes coordinate with the Turkish Ministry of Health and other government agencies. Kaos GL has links to Lambda Istanbul, a gay group in Turkey's biggest city, and hosted an "international anti-homophobia" meeting on university campuses in Ankara nearly two months ago.

"We want to share and learn the experiences of all gays and lesbians who struggle against homophobia in the Middle East, Balkans, Europe and the other parts of the world," the group said in a statement. About 20 participants came from other countries, and Erol said after the meetings: "We have now moved beyond the borders." Kaos GL paid tribute to Hrant Dink, an ethnic Armenian journalist who was allegedly killed by extremist nationalists in January, by printing a somber image of him on the back cover of a recent issue.

"Those people who murdered Hrant Dink do not like us either," Erol said.

From: Kaos GL
http://news.kaosgl.com/

11
The discrimination based on sexual orientation prevents freedom of organizing LGBTT people in Turkey. Lambda Istanbul faces threat of being closed down.

We are asking: Is it immoral to be organized?
Stating that "Not only heterosexuals live in this society!", Turkey's lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transvestite and transsexual (LGBTT) associations are trying to benefit from their freedom of speech in order to fight aganist the discrimination based on sexual orientation and sexual identity. Turkish LGBTT people are against denial, marginalisation, stigmatisation and violence; they are seeking recognition of their existence in society.

Since 2005, civil groups and associations that apply to gain NGO (non-govemental) status were always confronted with the similar types of obstructions. Attempt to establish Kaos GL risked being rejected with a claim that "an immoral association cannot be founded". However on October 12, 2005, Kaos GL won their first victory when the court rejected a government demand to shut down that newly-formed LGBTT association.

Now Lambda Istanbul faces the same threat of being closed down.

The Turkish Civil Code states that associations against law and morality cannot be established. Becasue Lambda Istanbuls title has the words lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transvestite and transsexual in it, this association's title and purposes were found to be against the Turkish Civil Code," said the governor's letter sent to public prosecutors and the group, Lambda Istanbul.

The first trial will be held on July 19th, Thursday at 10:00 am.

On January 29, 2004 Turkey's Parliamentary Justice Commission voted to alter the 'discrimination' clause in the Penal Code to include discrimination based on sexual orientation as a crime. Turkish LGBT activists praised the legislation that would result in criminal charges against a person who refuses anyone service, housing or employment on the basis of sexual orientation. If the law had passed, Turkey could have become the first predominantly Muslim country to pass such a law. Although "sexism" and "discrimination against sexual orientation" are different issues of facts (aspects), the Minister of Justice Cemil Cicek claimed that they would express similar things and demanded that the expression "sexual orientation" should be taken out of the main paragraph concerning "discrimination".

Therefore on July 6, 2004 The Parliamentary Justice Commission took up the discrimination clause and decided to replace it with the discrimination clause that exists in the Constitution. According to the Article No.10 of the Turkish Constitution, discrimination based on language, race, skin color, gender, political opinion, religion, denomination and similar reasons is prohibited but it does not directly refer to sexual orientation.

Criterias and conventions must be binding for everybody and everywhere!

We want to remind that the Republic's Chief Prosecutor in Ankara rejected an official demand to shut down a newly-formed LGBTT association (Kaos GL) in Ankara in 2005. The prosecutor said in his ruling that the American Psychiatric Association did not rate homosexuality as a disorder and the words "gay" and "lesbian" were widely used in daily life and scientific research. He also put some international laws into consideration such as: the EU's political criterias, the Accession Partnership Document, the European Convention on Human Rights and supporting international conventions on human rights:

We also remind that both LGBTT associations "Lambdaistanbul," and "Kaos GL," are founded with the same objectives and are working in the frame of the law. We demand to fairness and have the same criterias and conventions in the city of Istanbul as well. Even before registering to gain a legal NGO status, Lambdaistanbul has been an active organization in the past. We, as members of below-mentioned Turkish associations that fight for human rights and freedom, are declaring to the public that we will continue to support Lambdaistanbul and its ideals and together resist the discriminatory practices that we face.

Main petitioners:

Kaos Gay-Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association

Pembe Hayat Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transvestite and Transsexual Solidarity Association

TPC Women Platform

Co-signers:

Ankara University Gender Studies Group

Ankara Women Platform

Say Stop! to Racism and Nationalism Initiative

Kaos GL Ýzmir

Kaosist Homosexual Non-Govermental Initiative

MorEl Eskisehir LGBTT Organisation

--
Kaos GL is a LGBT organization and a legally registered non-governmental organization that publishes a bi-monthly magazine to completely cover Turkey. Please refer any questions to: news@kaosgl.com and refer to the web site for information: http://news.kaosgl.com/

From: news@kaosgl.com wrote:

28 September 2007

Subject: Sexual Orientation and the Constitution: Preparation of a New Constitution in the Republic of Turkey
From: news@kaosgl.com
To: news@kaosgl.com

12
Sexual Orientation and the Constitution: Preparation of a New Constitution in the Republic of Turkey September 24, 2007

As Kaos GL Association, we ask you to make a call and remind the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to add the concepts of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the new Constitution’s article regulating “equality” in order to stop the discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. You can find contact informations at the end of the page. And it would be very nice if you forward the copies of mails or faxes to Kaos GL which you made a call.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite, Transexual (LGBTT) Realty in Turkey Should be Recognized: The Concept of “Sexual Orientation” SHOULD be Added to The Article Regulating “Equality” in The Constitution

After the elections on 22 July 2007 in Turkey, the new government has started to prepare a new Constitution naming it “Civil Society Based Constitution” in order to emphasize that it will replace Turkey’s current Constitution which was written by the military rule in 1982. The draft Constitution will be made public in coming days. As Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association (Kaos GL), we know the scope and preparation process of the new Constitution as much as they are shared with the society. The Justice and Development Party (AKP) Government Spokesman Cemil Çiçek states that they are preparing a new Constitution which represents the whole society. He also states that they expect contribution of the whole society before the draft Constitution will be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. But, as Kaos GL Association, we see that LGBTT individuals are ignored, although it is said that a modern and democratic Constitution representing the whole society in Turkey will be prepared.

The current Constitution of Turkey does not recognize the LGBTT reality in Turkey. We, LGBTT individuals in Turkey, have been trying to use our freedom of expression for 15 years in order to stop the discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. We have demanded “A Reference to ‘Sexual Orientation’ in the Constitution’s 10th Article Regulating Equality!” Homosexuality is not defined as a crime in the current Constitution. However, it is also not referred in it! So, in practice, this situation deprives LGBTT individuals of legal protection. In other words, just because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, LGBTT individuals face discrimination and oppression, are excluded in every aspect of life, cannot participate equally and cannot defend themselves.

We demand recognition of the LGBTT reality in Turkey by referring to “sexual orientation”, a concept which consists of two words, in the Constitution. We want to state that we do not demand a special treatment. Rather, the arrangement we want is a just demand which is based on “equality” and is against “discrimination”. Increasing discrimination and violence directed at LGBTT individuals and deprivation of legal protection against this discrimination and violence make us worry. LGBTT individuals are fired because of the discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation at workplace and face psychological and physical violence at private and public spheres just because of their sexual orientation. Transvestite and transsexual individuals are excluded in every aspect of life because of their gender identity. They face attacks towards their right to live.

When LGBTT individuals want to form a solidarity association, they are tried to be hindered by court cases opened on the basis of the article “it can not be formed an association contrary to the law and morals”. Although LGBTT individuals want to live in a free and democratic country like each citizen of the Republic of Turkey, they cannot find the courage to defend themselves legally because they see that their rights are not protected enough under current circumstances. As Kaos GL Association, we demand that the new Constitution of the Republic of Turkey protects the rights of all citizens of the Republic of Turkey and includes the articles which prevent all discriminations. We think that the new “Civil Society Based” Constitution’s article regulating “equality” should include the concepts of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in addition to “sex” which is the existing concept in the current Constitution.

Sincerely
Kaos GL Association

Addresses that you can make a call:
President Abdullah Gul Fax: (+90) 312 427 13 30 E-mail: cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr

The Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan Fax: (+90) 312 417 04 76 E-mail: bimer@basbakanlik.gov.tr

The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly
Koksal Toptan Fax: (+90) 312 420 51 65 E-mail: koksal.toptan@tbmm.gov.tr

The Minister of Justice
Mehmet Ali Sahin Fax: (+90) 312 419 33 70

The Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ali Babacan Fax: (+90) 312 287 88 11

Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association Address: Gazi Mustafa Kemal Bulvari, 29/12, Demirtepe / Kizilay – Ankara, Türkiye Phone no: +90 312 230 0358 Fax no: +90 312 230 6277 E-mail: kaosgl@kaosgl.org

Human Rights News
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/10/16/turkey17107.htm

October 16, 2007

13
Turkey: End Legal Action Against Gay Rights Group , Attempt to Close Lambda Istanbul Endangers Basic Freedoms

(New York) - A legal challenge by the governor of Istanbul seeking to close down Lambda Istanbul, a gay rights organization, threatens basic freedoms of association and expression, Human Rights Watch said today. Shutting down groups because you don’t like the people they represent is an attack on freedom itself,” said Juliana Cano Nieto, researcher in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program at Human Rights Watch, who will attend an October 18, 2007 court hearing in Istanbul on the organization’s fate. “If organizations that defend human rights cannot function, Turkey’s status as a real democracy is in danger.” The Governor’s Office of Istanbul has demanded the closure of Lambda Istanbul, an organization defending lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people’s rights in Turkey, claiming that the name and objectives of the group are “against the law and morality”. The governor had asked in early 2007 that the group be shut down; in July, the local Prosecutor’s Office rejected the complaint. The Governor’s Office then took the case to a higher court, the Beyoglu Sutluce Court of First Instance No. 5, which heard the case in July 2007 and ordered a second hearing for October.

The Provincial Associations Directorate of the Governor’s Office, responsible for nongovernmental organizations, alleged that Lambda Istanbul’s aims violate the Turkish Civil Code and Article 41 of the Constitution. Article 56 of the Turkish Civil Code states that, “No association may be founded for purposes against law and morality.” Article 41 of the Turkish Constitution states that “[t]he family is the foundation of the Turkish society …”and that “[t]he state shall take the necessary measures and establish the necessary organisation to ensure the peace and welfare of the family.” Article 54 of Turkey’s Law on Associations allows for the suspension of organizations on the grounds, among others, of “public morality.”

Lambda Istanbul’s charter defines its main aim as “to support all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to adopt equality as a value, to realize their inner selves and to help bring peace and welfare; to guide LGBT individuals in becoming more professional, more active and responsible towards society and in social matters.” The governor’s complaint also claims the group’s name contravenes the law as “Lambda” is not a Turkish word. The word is an internationally recognized symbol of LGBT identity. Lambda Istanbul has defended the Turkish LGBT community since its creation in 1993. It operates a telephone helpline to counsel LGBT people and raises awareness through cultural, educational, and political activities. It has actively lobbied for legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Lambda applied for nongovernmental organization status with the Ministry of the Interior in 2006, but its application is on hold until the court reaches a decision.

Government officials have made similar legal moves to shut down other lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organizations in Turkey. Kaos GL, based in Ankara, faced a demand for closure from Ankara’s deputy governor, Selahattin Ekmenoglu, in 2005. The closure petition was dismissed by the Prosecutor’s Office. In 2005, sexual orientation was included as a protected status in an early draft of an anti-discrimination bill in Parliament, but lawmakers later eliminated the language. Meanwhile, laws and regulations that refer to “general morality” are still used to restrict LGBT people’s rights to association and expression, and also to justify police arrests and harassment on the streets.

Turkey is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Both treaties protect the rights to freedom of expression and association and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Source: Human Rights Watch Press Release
http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=66&id=17033

October 25, 2007

14
Human Rights Watch Calls for an End to Legal Action Against Turkish Gay Rights Group

by Chrys Hudson
New York-based Human Rights Watch is calling on the governor of Istanbul to put an end to a legal challenge seeking to close down the gay rights organization Lambda Istanbul.

“Shutting down groups because you don’t like the people they represent is an attack on freedom itself,” Juliana Cano Nieto, researcher in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program at Human Rights Watch, said in a release. “If organizations that defend human rights cannot function, Turkey’s status as a real democracy is in danger.”

The Governor’s Office of Istanbul has demanded the closure of Lambda Istanbul, an organization that defends lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people’s rights in Turkey, claiming that the name and objectives of the group are “against the law and morality.” The governor had asked in early 2007 that the group be shut down; in July, the local Prosecutor’s Office rejected the complaint. The Governor’s Office then took the case to a higher court, the Beyoglu Sutluce Court of First Instance No. 5, which heard the case in July 2007 and ordered a second hearing for October. The Provincial Associations Directorate of the Governor’s Office, responsible for nongovernmental organizations, alleged that Lambda Istanbul’s aims violate the Turkish Civil Code and Article 41 of the Constitution. Article 56 of the Turkish Civil Code states that, “No association may be founded for purposes against law and morality.” Article 41 of the Turkish Constitution states that “[t]he family is the foundation of the Turkish society …” and that “[t]he state shall take the necessary measures and establish the necessary organization to ensure the peace and welfare of the family.” Article 54 of Turkey’s Law on Associations allows for the suspension of organizations on the grounds, among others, of “public morality.”

Lambda Istanbul’s charter defines its main aim as “to support all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to adopt equality as a value, to realize their inner selves and to help bring peace and welfare; to guide LGBT individuals in becoming more professional, more active and responsible towards society and in social matters.” The governor’s complaint also claims the group’s name contravenes the law as “Lambda” is not a Turkish word. The word is an internationally recognized symbol of LGBT identity. Lambda Istanbul has defended the Turkish LGBT community since its creation in 1993. It operates a telephone helpline to counsel LGBT people and raises awareness through cultural, educational, and political activities. It has actively lobbied for legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Lambda applied for nongovernmental organization status with the Ministry of the Interior in 2006, but its application is on hold until the court reaches a decision.

Government officials have made similar legal moves to shut down other LGBT organizations in Turkey. Kaos GL, based in Ankara, faced a demand for closure from Ankara’s deputy governor, Selahattin Ekmenoglu, in 2005. The closure petition was dismissed by the Prosecutor’s Office. In 2005, sexual orientation was included as a protected status in an early draft of an anti-discrimination bill in Parliament, but lawmakers later eliminated the language. Meanwhile, laws and regulations that refer to “general morality” are still used to restrict LGBT people’s rights to association and expression, and also to justify police arrests and harassment on the streets. Turkey is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Both treaties protect the rights to freedom of expression and association and prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Chicago FreePress
http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/53

March 26, 2008

15
Turkey’s GLBT community fights for rights and acceptance

by Christopher Torchia, A.P. writer
Ankara, Turkey—In the 1980s and 1990s, Turkish police routinely raided gay bars, detained transvestites and banned homosexual conferences and festivals. In May, in a sign of how the state has loosened up, gay activists held forums on several university campuses to discuss their rights and the discrimination they still face. Some delegates came from Norway and Sweden, and discussion topics included homophobia, the history of homosexuality and gay life on campuses.

Gays in Turkey say they lack legal protections and face social stigma in a Muslim nation with a secular tradition of government that has implemented broad reforms in its bid to join the European Union but remains heavily influenced by conservative and religious values. For the most part, they face less pressure than in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries where Islamic codes are enforced with more rigor. However, Turkey’s gays are jostling for more rights in a crowded field. The historical feud between Turks and Armenians, as well as the concerns of ethnic Kurds and minority Christians, attract more international attention and pressure for change on the Turkish government.

“There are so many problems in Turkey,” Ali Erol, a member of the gay rights group Kaos GL, said in an interview in his office in Ankara, the Turkish capital. “It looks as though gay rights are put down below in the list of things to be taken care of.” In March, the chief editor of the group’s magazine, also named Kaos GL, was acquitted of charges that he had illegally published pornography in a July 2006 issue after a judge noted that copies were seized before they were put on sale. The editor, Umut Guner, could have faced several years in jail if convicted. The issue that got the magazine in trouble showed two images of men in explicit sexual poses, beside an article that editors described as an analysis of issues relating to pornography. The magazine first published in 1994 and became legal when it secured a license five years later. It comes out every two months, and has a circulation of up to 1,000.

“There are some ‘hate crime’ articles in the criminal code, but they are not used appropriately,” said Levent Korkut, head of Amnesty International’s operations in Turkey. “Impunity is a problem in this area.” He noted that even some Turks who describe themselves as liberals say: “We don’t want to protect these people.”

Gay sex is not a crime in Turkey, and some clubs and cinemas in big cities openly cater to gays. Gay and lesbian societies exist at several universities. But the vast majority of gays remain discreet in a country where liberal views have yet to make inroads in rural areas and many urban settings. Municipalities have some leeway to introduce laws safeguarding “morality,” which gay activists view as a potential threat to their freedom. Some gays, notably poet Murathan Mungan and the late singer Zeki Muren, achieved celebrity status and openly acknowledged their sexual orientation. Similarly, historians and novelists have referred to a degree of tolerance for gay sex among some sectors of the elite during the Ottoman Empire centuries ago.

Yet for many being gay is an exercise in deception. One gay man, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was distraught years ago because high school classmates kept calling him “ibne,” a derogatory word for gay in Turkish. The man, now a university student, said he avoids physical contact with his boyfriend when they are in public and passes him off as a close friend. He said he is often mocked if he wears an article of clothing that people think is feminine. Unable to find regular jobs, many transvestites and transsexuals work as prostitutes, an often-dangerous profession that has led to the murders of some at the hands of clients. Some deadly “hate crimes” were never publicized because police did not reveal the sexual orientation of the victims, according to gay activists. In some cases, they said, gays who were harassed or physically harmed because of their orientation did not report the incident or go to court because they wanted to avoid scrutiny.

The European Union has funded gay groups in Turkey, which sometimes coordinate with the Turkish Ministry of Health and other government agencies. Kaos GL has links to Lambda Istanbul, a gay group in Turkey’s biggest city, and hosted an “international anti-homophobia” meeting on university campuses in Ankara nearly two months ago. “We want to share and learn the experiences of all gays and lesbians who struggle against homophobia in the Middle East, Balkans, Europe and the other parts of the world,” the group said in a statement. About 20 participants came from other countries, and Erol said after the meetings, “We have now moved beyond the borders.”

The Kaos GL magazine paid tribute to Hrant Dink, an ethnic Armenian journalist who was allegedly slain by extremist nationalists in January, by printing a somber image of him on the back cover of a recent issue. “Those people who murdered Hrant Dink do not like us either,” Erol said.

AP reporter Ceren Kumova contributed to this report.

Pink News
http://pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7377.html

16
Istanbul gay group raided by police

12th April 2008

by Tony Grew
Police officers in Turkey have raided the offices of a leading LGBT organisation on the pretence that "frequent visits by transgender people" were grounds to issue a search warrant. Lawyers for the Lambda Istanbul Cultural Centre later discovered that an accusation had been lodged against the association for "participating in illegal prostitution activities, procuring transgender sex workers and sharing their earnings." More than a dozen plainclothes officers spent two hours at the centre on Monday afternoon. "They examined the premises and all materials in the office, and also collected the identity cards of everyone who entered the centre," a spokesperson for Lambda said.

"At the end of their search they were not able to find evidence of a criminal offence; however, they took with them some important documents regarding Lambda's financial and membership systems. Lambda Istanbul is also currently involved in a court case over the association's right to apply for official status as an organisation, following a complaint by the city governorship that Lambda should be closed down as the group is a threat to Turkish family values and public decency. Our fifth hearing will be held on April 17. We are hoping that this case will be ruled in our favour but are prepared to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your ongoing support. Your messages of solidarity mean a lot to us."

Lambda claims that Labrys, a gay rights group in Kyrgyzstan, was also raided by the police on the same day under the pretext of illegal prostitution activity and forced to submit various papers. Government officials have made similar legal moves to shut down lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender organisations in Turkey but failed. Kaos GL, based in Ankara, faced a demand for closure from Ankara's deputy governor, Selahattin Ekmenoglu, in 2005. The closure petition was dismissed by prosecutors. The chairman of Dutch gay rights group COC, Frank van Dalen, says that closing Lambda Istanbul would be against non-discriminatory guidelines issued by the European Union and against the universal right to free speech.

Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership, but concerns about human rights are one factor frustrating negotiations. The closing of Lambda would be a devastating blow for the European LGBT emancipation movement, according to COC. Mr Van Dalen has called on the Dutch government to not support Turkey's application for EU membership until "basic human rights are fully respected by Turkey."

Turkish Daily News
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=103859

May 9, 2008

17
Homosexual magazine publishes 100th edition

Istanbul - Radikal - Turkey's first and only homosexual magazine “Kaos GL,” being produced for 15 years has been published for the 100th time. The latest edition of the magazine includes articles and interviews by renowned personalities such as, Adnan Yildiz, Aksu Bora, Ayse Düzkan, Kürsad Kahramanoglu, Murathan Mungan, Tanil Bora, Tugrul Eryilmaz, Yildirim Türker, Naim Dilmener and Zeynep Aksoy. They all contributed to the 100th edition.

The magazine, which was just an eight-page photocopy when it was first published, has played an important role in drawing attention to the rights of homosexuals.

The edition covers 100 songs, films and books that have an important place in homosexual culture. There is an interview with Hande Yener, the famous Turkish pop singer, who was chosen as Turkey's “gay icon” in a poll of Kaos GL readers. Letters from gay parents are also part of the content.