Turkish Judge Refuses To Close Gay Rights Group
A judge has refused grant an order closing Turkey's only LGBT civil rights organization - a decision being hailed as a the first gay victory since the country applied for entry into the European Union.
The deputy governor of the capital, Ankara, had petitioned a court to rule that Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Organization is breaking the nation's immorality laws.
The legal battle began after Kaos applied for official government status as "a non governmental agency" on July 15. The group had been in existence since 1994 but until now had not sought official approval.
The Ministry of Interior accepted the application and forwarded it to its local branch in Ankara which functions under the Mayor of Ankara. Selahattin Ekremoglu, the deputy governor of Ankara, then asked the court order Kaos closed.
“The Turkish Civil Code states that associations against law and morality cannot be established," Ekremoglu's petition to the court said.
In his ruling Kursat Kayral noted that the American Psychiatric Association does not consider homosexuality as a disorder and said that the words "gay" and "lesbian" were widely used in daily life and scientific research.
"This is a big step forward for homosexuals in achieving the equality and justice they deserve and in abolishing discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in all fields of social life," Kaos said in a statement.
Homosexuality has never been illegal in Turkey, but the government has refused to grant specific rights to gays. An attempt was made last year to introduce an anti-discrimination bill in the Parliament, but it was later dropped by the government.
Turkey has been under increasing pressure from the EU to offer protections for its LGBT citizens if it wants membership in Europe.
Had the court ruled against Kaos the group said it was prepared to take its case to the European Court. The International Lesbian & Gay Association of Europe said it would support Kaos.
365Gay.com
The deputy governor of the capital, Ankara, had petitioned a court to rule that Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Organization is breaking the nation's immorality laws.
The legal battle began after Kaos applied for official government status as "a non governmental agency" on July 15. The group had been in existence since 1994 but until now had not sought official approval.
The Ministry of Interior accepted the application and forwarded it to its local branch in Ankara which functions under the Mayor of Ankara. Selahattin Ekremoglu, the deputy governor of Ankara, then asked the court order Kaos closed.
“The Turkish Civil Code states that associations against law and morality cannot be established," Ekremoglu's petition to the court said.
In his ruling Kursat Kayral noted that the American Psychiatric Association does not consider homosexuality as a disorder and said that the words "gay" and "lesbian" were widely used in daily life and scientific research.
"This is a big step forward for homosexuals in achieving the equality and justice they deserve and in abolishing discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in all fields of social life," Kaos said in a statement.
Homosexuality has never been illegal in Turkey, but the government has refused to grant specific rights to gays. An attempt was made last year to introduce an anti-discrimination bill in the Parliament, but it was later dropped by the government.
Turkey has been under increasing pressure from the EU to offer protections for its LGBT citizens if it wants membership in Europe.
Had the court ruled against Kaos the group said it was prepared to take its case to the European Court. The International Lesbian & Gay Association of Europe said it would support Kaos.
365Gay.com
