Turkey's LGBT History - 1980s
1980–1986. Radical Democrat Green Party
While the 1980 military coup crushed the freedoms that Turkish people had been enjoying since 1961*, it also provided an impetus for the LGBT community to incubate its own movement by eliminating access to other alternative, progressive organizations. Under these circumstances, Ibrahim Eren established the Radical Democrat Green Party to give voice to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered people, anti-militarists, and greens. By 1987, the party floundered because of its inability to resolve internal issues.
* 1961 is the year the 3rd Constitution came into force which was one of the most progressive and liberal constitutions of its time. After September 12, 1980, the military government invalidated this constitution and accepted a new one in 1981 which is still in force as of 2005.
1987. Hunger Strike against Harassment
The Istanbul district near Beyoglu and Istiklal Street has always been an important gathering place for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people. By 1987, police harassment, particularly against transgendered people, intensified to an alarming degree. The media was aware of this dangerous situation, but chose not to report it.
Thirty-seven gay men and transgendered people started a hunger strike to protest the harassment and sought help from the new Radical Democrat Green Party. This was the first public action taken by the Turkish LGBT community. Although no concrete changes were achieved from the action, this protest raised attention both domestically and internationally. Some prominent figures of the time, such as Rifat Ilgaz (author) and Turkan Soray (actress), openly voiced their support.
1988. Turkish Transgendered People Gain Legal Status
In 1988, following a long legal struggle, Turkish Civil Code (Clause 29) was amended as follows:
"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."
However, prejudice and violence against transgendered people continue.
While the 1980 military coup crushed the freedoms that Turkish people had been enjoying since 1961*, it also provided an impetus for the LGBT community to incubate its own movement by eliminating access to other alternative, progressive organizations. Under these circumstances, Ibrahim Eren established the Radical Democrat Green Party to give voice to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered people, anti-militarists, and greens. By 1987, the party floundered because of its inability to resolve internal issues.
* 1961 is the year the 3rd Constitution came into force which was one of the most progressive and liberal constitutions of its time. After September 12, 1980, the military government invalidated this constitution and accepted a new one in 1981 which is still in force as of 2005.
1987. Hunger Strike against Harassment
The Istanbul district near Beyoglu and Istiklal Street has always been an important gathering place for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people. By 1987, police harassment, particularly against transgendered people, intensified to an alarming degree. The media was aware of this dangerous situation, but chose not to report it.
Thirty-seven gay men and transgendered people started a hunger strike to protest the harassment and sought help from the new Radical Democrat Green Party. This was the first public action taken by the Turkish LGBT community. Although no concrete changes were achieved from the action, this protest raised attention both domestically and internationally. Some prominent figures of the time, such as Rifat Ilgaz (author) and Turkan Soray (actress), openly voiced their support.
1988. Turkish Transgendered People Gain Legal Status
In 1988, following a long legal struggle, Turkish Civil Code (Clause 29) was amended as follows:
"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."
However, prejudice and violence against transgendered people continue.