Turki gay
Proving you're gay to the Turkish army
Some people in Turkey say with resentment that gay men are actually prosperous, as at least they have one possible route out of military service - they don't have to expend months in the barracks, or encounter the possibility of being deployed to fight against Kurdish militants.
But for openly gay men, experience can be far from easy.
It is not uncommon for employers in Turkey to question employment applicants about their military service - and a pink certificate can express a job rejection.
One of Gokhan's employers found out about it not by asking Gokhan himself but by asking the army.
After that, he says, he was bullied. His co-workers made contemptuous comments as he walked past, others refused to chat to him.
''But I am not ashamed. It is not my shame," he says.
Ahmet is still waiting for his case to be resolved. The army has postponed its decision on his pink certificate for another year.
Ahmet thinks it is because he refused to appear before them in woman's clothes. And he doesn't know what to expect when he appears in front of them again.
Could he not just do his military service and preserve his homosexuality a secr
LGBTI+ in Turkey
Situation of Lesbian, Same-sex attracted, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Plus Employees in Public and Private Sector in TurkeyThis is the 5th year for The Situation of LGBTI+ Employees in the Widespread Sector in Turkey Research conducted by Kaos GL Association. We, as Kadir Has University Gender and Women’s Studies Research Center are happy to possess been a part of this explore for the last 4 years.
The 2021 research consisted of an online survey conducted through SurveyMonkey Pro. Participants comprised 221 people who declared themselves to be LGBTI+ and who work in a public institution. Similar to previous years, our respondents were primarily immature, highly educated (above high school) individuals who are in the workforce for a relatively limited time with 78.2% are between 18-35 years of age, 87.8% have associate, undergraduate or graduate education and 60.2% work in their current workplace for less than 6 years. When we look at our participants, the majority work in the education, healthcare and academic sectors, similar to previous years. Their statements also suggest that our sample represent a wide range of professions.
Gay Istanbul
Who said one of the world's most storied cosmopolitan crossroads can't also sustain a vibrant up-to-date LGBTQ culture? While general affection remains taboo in conservative corners, Istanbul revels in dynamic gay nightlife if you know where to look.
Make your way to the central Beyoğlu district, the longtime pulse of Istanbul's gay scene. Off rainbow-hued İstiklal Avenue’s bustling thoroughfare lie concealed havens, from cozy taverns to jumping clubs, lining narrow side streets that have catered to the LGBTQ community for decades. Nearby neighborhoods like trendy Cihangir and artsy Karaköy also mix gay-friendly cafés and lounges into their eclectic landscapes.
Follow the subtle rainbow flags to detect venues ranging from cheeky drag bars to posh lounges. But Istanbul’s LGBTQ culture shines brightest when strangers become friends over thumping Turkish pop songs on illuminated dance floors, forgetting their worries as the Bosphorus breeze rolls in.
TURKEY GAY GUIDE
The age of okay in Turkey is 18. There are no articles on homosexuality in the law but vague references to public morals and public order. The police has the legal right to grab anyone who looks suspicious to the police station for interrogation. The general crime level in big cities is among the lowest in Europe. Nine milliion tourists are expected to see the country in 1996.
Turkey is geographically, politically, economically in Europe. More than 90% of its population is muslim. The police has wide powers, and some fractions in the police coerce has close ties with the radical nationalist right-wing groups. Despite the lack of any organized gay bashing, gays have not been allowed to come out and get organized in an open fashion. gay movements so far have been underground movements. "International Christopher Street day" (gay pride) festivities planned to get place in Istanbul in July 1993 was first allowed, and then banned by the local government officials before taking place. A similar attempt to structure a cultural week in September 1995 by Lambda Istanbul was not allowed