Turkey's LGBT History - 1970s
As in most countries, in Turkey too, gay culture first became visible in male-dominated public venues, such as cafes and bars, especially in larger cities like Istanbul and Ankara. Unlike gays and transgenders, lesbians were almost invisible till the early 1990s.
1970s. Raising Consciousness
By the end of the 1970s, a group of well-educated and economically independent lesbians and gays had begun a political discourse with each other. Through the 1970s, Ibrahim Eren, working at the Environment and Health Organization in the city of Izmir, facilitated this discourse by establishing support groups among lesbians and gays of Izmir. However, the 1980 military coup shut this organization down, together with all other non-governmental organizations, and Eren left the country to escape government harassment. Living in Germany and other European countries for several years, he became active in anti-militarism and the emerging green and gay movements.
1970s. Raising Consciousness
By the end of the 1970s, a group of well-educated and economically independent lesbians and gays had begun a political discourse with each other. Through the 1970s, Ibrahim Eren, working at the Environment and Health Organization in the city of Izmir, facilitated this discourse by establishing support groups among lesbians and gays of Izmir. However, the 1980 military coup shut this organization down, together with all other non-governmental organizations, and Eren left the country to escape government harassment. Living in Germany and other European countries for several years, he became active in anti-militarism and the emerging green and gay movements.