Turkey's LGBT History - 2008
January 2008. Turkish transsexuals take to the stage to demand rights
A unique play in an Ankara theater ended with a standing ovation in the first week of January as the little-known actors - transsexuals and gays raising their voice against discrimination - fought back their tears on stage. The play, "Pink and Grey," put the spotlight on the plight of transsexuals in mainly Muslim Turkey, in the latest initiative of a fledgling but increasingly vocal movement.
April 2008. Polis raid on Lambda Istanbul Organization
On April 7, 2008, approximately 12 police in plain clothes entered the headquarters of the Lambda Istanbul Cultural Center, which defends the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Their warrant cited suspicion that Lambda “facilitates prostitution, acts as a go-between [and] provides a place for [prostitution],” criminalized under Article 227 of Turkey’s Penal Code. The raid took place 10 days before an April 17 court hearing in a case against Lambda Istanbul brought by the Istanbul Governor’s Office, accusing the group of violating Turkish “moral values and its family structure.”
April 2008. Documentary About Muslim Homosexuals Screened at Turkish Film Festival
At Istanbul International Film Festival, one of the major attractions is "A Jihad for Love", a documentary about a taboo subject: homosexuality in Islamic countries. Homosexuality is strictly banned in most interpretations of the Koran. This documentary is the world's first film, about Islam and homosexuality, which was also being screened in a Muslim country for the first time.
May 2008. Kaos GL Magazine publishes 100th edition
Turkey's first and only homosexual magazine “Kaos GL,” being produced for 15 years has been published for the 100th time. 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 last edition covers 100 pages of songs, films and books that have an important place in homosexual culture.
May 2008. First Ever Gay March Held in Ankara, Turkey
A little bit of gay history was made in the Turkish capital of Ankara on May 24, 2008. Over 100 gay men and women, bisexuals and transgender people assembled in front of the human rights monument in Yuksel Street for a march to Parliament on International Day Against Homophobia jointly organized by Kaos Gay and Lesbian Association and Pink Life LGBTT Association.
May 2008. Human Rights Watch's Turkey Report Highlights EU’s Gay Flaws
On May 22, 2008, U.S.-based Human Rights Watch published a report on the treatment of gay people in Turkey. The 123-page report, “‘We Need a Law for Liberation’: Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights in a Changing Turkey,” documents a long and continuing history of violence and abuse based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Human Rights Watch conducted more than 70 interviews over a three-year period, documenting how gay men and transgender people face beatings, robberies, police harassment, and the threat of murder. The interviews also exposed the physical and psychological violence lesbian and bisexual women and girls confront within their families.
May 2008. Court closes gay rights association in Istanbul
On May 29, 2008, the only gay rights association in Istanbul has been ordered to close by a Turkish court, after a prosecutor claimed that it broke public morality laws. Lambda Istanbul, which has become increasingly vocal in calling for gay, lesbian and transgender rights in Turkey, says it will appeal against the decision. Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but many gay and transgender people complain of discrimination. Lambda Istanbul representatives said the ruling was an affront to human rights and vowing to appeal the decision in a higher court.
A unique play in an Ankara theater ended with a standing ovation in the first week of January as the little-known actors - transsexuals and gays raising their voice against discrimination - fought back their tears on stage. The play, "Pink and Grey," put the spotlight on the plight of transsexuals in mainly Muslim Turkey, in the latest initiative of a fledgling but increasingly vocal movement.
April 2008. Polis raid on Lambda Istanbul Organization
On April 7, 2008, approximately 12 police in plain clothes entered the headquarters of the Lambda Istanbul Cultural Center, which defends the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Their warrant cited suspicion that Lambda “facilitates prostitution, acts as a go-between [and] provides a place for [prostitution],” criminalized under Article 227 of Turkey’s Penal Code. The raid took place 10 days before an April 17 court hearing in a case against Lambda Istanbul brought by the Istanbul Governor’s Office, accusing the group of violating Turkish “moral values and its family structure.”
April 2008. Documentary About Muslim Homosexuals Screened at Turkish Film Festival
At Istanbul International Film Festival, one of the major attractions is "A Jihad for Love", a documentary about a taboo subject: homosexuality in Islamic countries. Homosexuality is strictly banned in most interpretations of the Koran. This documentary is the world's first film, about Islam and homosexuality, which was also being screened in a Muslim country for the first time.
May 2008. Kaos GL Magazine publishes 100th edition
Turkey's first and only homosexual magazine “Kaos GL,” being produced for 15 years has been published for the 100th time. 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 last edition covers 100 pages of songs, films and books that have an important place in homosexual culture.
May 2008. First Ever Gay March Held in Ankara, Turkey
A little bit of gay history was made in the Turkish capital of Ankara on May 24, 2008. Over 100 gay men and women, bisexuals and transgender people assembled in front of the human rights monument in Yuksel Street for a march to Parliament on International Day Against Homophobia jointly organized by Kaos Gay and Lesbian Association and Pink Life LGBTT Association.
May 2008. Human Rights Watch's Turkey Report Highlights EU’s Gay Flaws
On May 22, 2008, U.S.-based Human Rights Watch published a report on the treatment of gay people in Turkey. The 123-page report, “‘We Need a Law for Liberation’: Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights in a Changing Turkey,” documents a long and continuing history of violence and abuse based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Human Rights Watch conducted more than 70 interviews over a three-year period, documenting how gay men and transgender people face beatings, robberies, police harassment, and the threat of murder. The interviews also exposed the physical and psychological violence lesbian and bisexual women and girls confront within their families.
May 2008. Court closes gay rights association in Istanbul
On May 29, 2008, the only gay rights association in Istanbul has been ordered to close by a Turkish court, after a prosecutor claimed that it broke public morality laws. Lambda Istanbul, which has become increasingly vocal in calling for gay, lesbian and transgender rights in Turkey, says it will appeal against the decision. Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but many gay and transgender people complain of discrimination. Lambda Istanbul representatives said the ruling was an affront to human rights and vowing to appeal the decision in a higher court.