Happy May 17, Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia

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Kaos GL Association has placed an ad on BirGün and Evrensel newspapers for May 17, the Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia, celebrated May 17 with “Hope with the equal and free days”.

In its statement for the press issued today (May 17), Kaos GL said “In Turkey, we are starting this day with the ongoing “ban on LGBTI+ events” in Ankara”.

Stating that “Our rights of freedom of expression, right to form association, freedom of assembly and right to a fair trial as well as prohibition of discrimination has been violated by the ban. Due to the indefinite period of the ban, we have been limited to use our rights indefinitely; that is, our rights have been abolished”, Kaos GL stressed that discrimination in employment and media against LGBTIs continues.

The statement briefly read:

“On a May 17 when the fundamental rights of LGBTIs have been systematically violated, the prohibitions have seized the freedom of expression and association, and these violations are also invisible, we emphasize one again that LGBTI rights are human rights!.

“With the occasion of May 17, we reiterate that we will continue our struggle against discrimination and hatred in the way we started with the Kaos GL Magazine in 1994. Kaos GL urges all those struggling for democracy and fundamental human rights to act and fight together for equal and liberated days.

“Happy May 17, the Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia!”

May 17 meeting in İstanbul

Lambdaistanbul is coming together for May 17, the Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia. In the meeting to be held at 7 p.m. at Mecra, “Alliances for Solidarity” will be discussed.

About May 17

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobiai s observed on May 17 and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide. In the 9th edition, in 2013, commemorations took place in almost 120 countries, in all world regions.

The founders of the International Day Against Homophobia, as it was originally known, established the IDAHO Committee to coordinate grass-roots actions in different countries, to promote the day and to lobby for official recognition on May 17. That date was chosen to commemorate the decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990. (ÇT/TK)