Turkey's LGBT History - 2005
2005. Turkish LGBT Groups Push for Equality Promise in EU-Turkey Debate
On December 17, 2004, the European Union agreed to start negotiating membership with Turkey in October 2005. Kaos GL in Ankara and Lambda Istanbul in Istanbul issued numerous press releases to both Turkish and EU officials in order to draw attention to the concerns and demands of the Turkish LGBT community.
February 2005. Raising International Awareness of LGBT issues of Turkey
For the first time, the embassies of western countries attended a series of conferences concerning issues regarding Turkish LGBT community. The events were organized by Kaos GL in February, 2005.
April 2005. Arrest of a Gay activist and Conscientious Objector
Turkish gay activist and conscientious objector Mehmet Tarhan is being held in a military prison in Sivas, Turkey since April 2005. He was charged with “insubordination in front of the unit”, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment under Article 88 of TACK (Turkish Military Penal Code). Turkish army is the only European NATO army that defines homosexuality as a psychological disorder; in addition it does not recognize Conscientious Objection, therefore, any Turkish male citizen who refuses to service in the military is subjected to prison terms.
July 2005. Kaos GL Became the First Turkish LGBT Organization That Gained Legal Status
Kaos GL, which was founded in 1994, finally applied to Interior Ministry and attained legal status.
August 2005. Prison Sentence for Mehmet Tarhan
Sivas Military Criminal Court sentenced the gay activist and conscientious objector Mehmet Tarhan to 4 years of prison. (see above – April 2005)
September 2005. Kaos GL’s Legal Status is in Jeopardy
Governor of Ankara rejected to approve the legal status of Kaos GL and filed a lawsuit to close the organization. (see above – July 2005)
October 2005. Request to ban Kaos GL, a Turkish LGBT rights group rejected
An official demand to ban Turkey's first gay 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. The decision was hailed by gay rights activists as a big step in combating discrimination in the country, which hopes to join the European Union.
On December 17, 2004, the European Union agreed to start negotiating membership with Turkey in October 2005. Kaos GL in Ankara and Lambda Istanbul in Istanbul issued numerous press releases to both Turkish and EU officials in order to draw attention to the concerns and demands of the Turkish LGBT community.
February 2005. Raising International Awareness of LGBT issues of Turkey
For the first time, the embassies of western countries attended a series of conferences concerning issues regarding Turkish LGBT community. The events were organized by Kaos GL in February, 2005.
April 2005. Arrest of a Gay activist and Conscientious Objector
Turkish gay activist and conscientious objector Mehmet Tarhan is being held in a military prison in Sivas, Turkey since April 2005. He was charged with “insubordination in front of the unit”, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment under Article 88 of TACK (Turkish Military Penal Code). Turkish army is the only European NATO army that defines homosexuality as a psychological disorder; in addition it does not recognize Conscientious Objection, therefore, any Turkish male citizen who refuses to service in the military is subjected to prison terms.
July 2005. Kaos GL Became the First Turkish LGBT Organization That Gained Legal Status
Kaos GL, which was founded in 1994, finally applied to Interior Ministry and attained legal status.
August 2005. Prison Sentence for Mehmet Tarhan
Sivas Military Criminal Court sentenced the gay activist and conscientious objector Mehmet Tarhan to 4 years of prison. (see above – April 2005)
September 2005. Kaos GL’s Legal Status is in Jeopardy
Governor of Ankara rejected to approve the legal status of Kaos GL and filed a lawsuit to close the organization. (see above – July 2005)
October 2005. Request to ban Kaos GL, a Turkish LGBT rights group rejected
An official demand to ban Turkey's first gay 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. The decision was hailed by gay rights activists as a big step in combating discrimination in the country, which hopes to join the European Union.