Ismail Azboglu has been involved in the LGBTT rights movement for about ten years, since his university days. His main activities include attending the Lambda Istanbul or other groups’ meetings and workshops as much as he can; helping LGBTT groups in terms of web design and software and; most importantly, he believes, writing articles and giving interviews.
Ismail is not only involved in the LGBTT rights movement, as he sees it as part of a larger general social evolution. For this reason, he also takes part in broader political events, including the ongoing Gezi resistance.
Ismail is not only involved in the LGBTT rights movement, as he sees it as part of a larger general social evolution. For this reason, he also takes part in broader political events, including the ongoing Gezi resistance.
Photography by Jenna Pope
Voices XXXI: Ismail Azboglu, a lgbtt actvist and a concerned citizen
G.Y: What is your implication in LGBTT movements and social movements in Turkey?
I.A: Personally, since thirteen years I attend meetings and demonstrations of Lambda Istanbul which is the leading and first LGBTT association in Turkey. In addition, I participated some press activities to support LGBTT movement like preparing radio programs, giving interviews or writing articles. I also try to attend as much as I can almost all the activities relating human rights, minority rights, LGBTT and women rights. In political arena, I took role in propaganda and polling clerk activities of Peace and Democracy Party in election term. Also, as a member of group of software developers (called Pelagie Birds), we try to provide free IT support and service to struggling people from socialist collectives to minority institutions.
I.A: Personally, since thirteen years I attend meetings and demonstrations of Lambda Istanbul which is the leading and first LGBTT association in Turkey. In addition, I participated some press activities to support LGBTT movement like preparing radio programs, giving interviews or writing articles. I also try to attend as much as I can almost all the activities relating human rights, minority rights, LGBTT and women rights. In political arena, I took role in propaganda and polling clerk activities of Peace and Democracy Party in election term. Also, as a member of group of software developers (called Pelagie Birds), we try to provide free IT support and service to struggling people from socialist collectives to minority institutions.
G.Y: It is known that the government is preparing a new constitution and that it isn’t planned to consider changes regarding LGBTT community rights. What can you tell about this?
I.A: The demand and need of a new constitution has been recognized for about fifteen years because the current constitution was prepared by army junta in 1982. The government brought this issue into question again six years ago. However, ruling conservative party (AKP) and opposition nationalist party (MHP) refused the modification proposal for the 10th provision. The current one indicates that “all citizens are equal before law without regarding the language, race, colour, sex, political view, philosophical belief, religion, sect or similar reasons”. The proposal was to add “sexual orientation” to it.
A year ago Peace and Democracy Part proposed a bill to the parliament to legalize same-sex marriage but it was refused on a basis of “religious motives” and “social moral values”.
I.A: The demand and need of a new constitution has been recognized for about fifteen years because the current constitution was prepared by army junta in 1982. The government brought this issue into question again six years ago. However, ruling conservative party (AKP) and opposition nationalist party (MHP) refused the modification proposal for the 10th provision. The current one indicates that “all citizens are equal before law without regarding the language, race, colour, sex, political view, philosophical belief, religion, sect or similar reasons”. The proposal was to add “sexual orientation” to it.
A year ago Peace and Democracy Part proposed a bill to the parliament to legalize same-sex marriage but it was refused on a basis of “religious motives” and “social moral values”.
G.Y: How did LGBTT community have taken part in Gezi Park protests?
I.A: Since the beginning of protests, LGBTT people from different organizations took part. LGBTT community was and is always in the front line. Because, as stated in the very famous slogan that was made known by LGBTT people in the Gezi protests, LGBTT people know that “no liberation alone, all of us or none”. Environmental problems, recognition of the rights of Kurdish nation, Christian minorities’ problem, demands of working class etc. are the parts of the same struggle. We are very well aware of this.
I.A: Since the beginning of protests, LGBTT people from different organizations took part. LGBTT community was and is always in the front line. Because, as stated in the very famous slogan that was made known by LGBTT people in the Gezi protests, LGBTT people know that “no liberation alone, all of us or none”. Environmental problems, recognition of the rights of Kurdish nation, Christian minorities’ problem, demands of working class etc. are the parts of the same struggle. We are very well aware of this.
Photography by MJM
G.Y: How do you think the participation of LGBTT community in the protests will affect from the point of view of the protesters during the development of the gay pride?
I.A: The reactions of other people towards LGBTT people were transformed during the protests. “Gezi revolution” is not only a political or social event but a “spiritual” or “moral” transformation. I have personally seen lots of scenes that shocked even me like Kemalist old woman dancing with Kurdish youth or communists protect Muslims when they are praying. Two months ago, I couldn’t even dream it. Even now, many people gathered in Taksim square to protest killing of an 18 years-old boy by soldiers in Diyarbakir, capital of Turkish Kurdistan. Consider that, most of these protestors used to think army and police was fighting against ‘terrorists’ in the south east and they were proud of their nationalistic views. But now, they faced state violence and torture and began to wake up from their sleeps. So, with the same aspect, many people has just faced LGBTT people for the first time, they realized that LGBTT people are just normal people as they are. I have seen lots of housewives who are one of the most conservative parts of the society in all means, clapping for LGBTT people. As a result, this is a new starting spirit for everybody, to get rid of our prejudices, to meet with each other, to become free, equal and self-respecting sisters and brothers again.
G.Y: What has been during the last years the attitude of the government towards this event? And in the present year?
I.A: Just before one month of 2008 gay pride event, Istanbul governorship banned Lambda Istanbul with the claim of “being against the family values”. Since 2002, about 70 LGBTT people were killed because of their sexual orientation and identity. In 2006, Bursa gay pride event was cancelled because of provocations. In 2010, women and family minister Aliye Kavaf publicly stated that “Homosexuality is a disease and has to be cured”. But on the other hand, there is a growing participation year by year; not only LGBTT people but open minded heterosexual people from different biases. I believe this year will be clearly different in positive way; a new specter is haunting in the society: a new spirit, hope for a good future and solidarity.
I.A: The reactions of other people towards LGBTT people were transformed during the protests. “Gezi revolution” is not only a political or social event but a “spiritual” or “moral” transformation. I have personally seen lots of scenes that shocked even me like Kemalist old woman dancing with Kurdish youth or communists protect Muslims when they are praying. Two months ago, I couldn’t even dream it. Even now, many people gathered in Taksim square to protest killing of an 18 years-old boy by soldiers in Diyarbakir, capital of Turkish Kurdistan. Consider that, most of these protestors used to think army and police was fighting against ‘terrorists’ in the south east and they were proud of their nationalistic views. But now, they faced state violence and torture and began to wake up from their sleeps. So, with the same aspect, many people has just faced LGBTT people for the first time, they realized that LGBTT people are just normal people as they are. I have seen lots of housewives who are one of the most conservative parts of the society in all means, clapping for LGBTT people. As a result, this is a new starting spirit for everybody, to get rid of our prejudices, to meet with each other, to become free, equal and self-respecting sisters and brothers again.
G.Y: What has been during the last years the attitude of the government towards this event? And in the present year?
I.A: Just before one month of 2008 gay pride event, Istanbul governorship banned Lambda Istanbul with the claim of “being against the family values”. Since 2002, about 70 LGBTT people were killed because of their sexual orientation and identity. In 2006, Bursa gay pride event was cancelled because of provocations. In 2010, women and family minister Aliye Kavaf publicly stated that “Homosexuality is a disease and has to be cured”. But on the other hand, there is a growing participation year by year; not only LGBTT people but open minded heterosexual people from different biases. I believe this year will be clearly different in positive way; a new specter is haunting in the society: a new spirit, hope for a good future and solidarity.
LGBTT in Gezi Protests:
Oren Ziv / Activestills
Oren Ziv / Activestills
Oren Ziv / Activestills
MJM
Salva Ferrando
Salva Ferrando
Salva Ferrando
norhetorike.com/2013/06/30/from-gezi-to-the-gay-pride/
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