A Letter to Prime Minister from LGBT Organizations

On May 17th, "International Day against Homophobia", Amnesty International Turkey Branch, KAOS GL and Pink Life LGBT Association will make a joint press statement and send 50.000 signatures collected for the fight against homophobia to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Opponents of homophobia and transphobia will meet in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street in Ankara and following the press statement of "Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people demand equality in Turkey " campaign they'll march to Yenişehir Post office in order to send a letter with 50.000 signatures to Prime Minister Erdoğan collected during the campaign.

The demands of the organizations are as follows:

* A comprehensive legislation is essential in order to fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and it should be established as soon as possible.

* First the authorities should agree that homophobic and transphobic statements are unacceptable and they should fight against discrimination by avoiding such statements.

* LGBT organizations should be respected and protected. It's time for the politicians to support these organizations. (ÇT)

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia - (IDAHO) is held on May 17 every year. May 17 was chosen as the day of the event because homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17, 1990. The Declaration of Montreal calls upon all countries to recognize this day.