'Commercialization of gender transition surgeries leads to abuse of trans people'

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Seven LGBTI+ groups have released a statement against the "commercialization of gender transition surgeries," saying that it leads to legal abuses aggrieving trans people.

"In Turkey, the gender adaptation process is a procedure the stages of which are determined and guaranteed by laws," says the statement.

The processes that theoretically work in the same way for trans men and trans women differ in practice because of the difference between the surgeries they need to have and the "changeability" of the people and organizations that carry out these operations, according to the groups.

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Misleading and unconfirmed information on social media is facilitating malpractices that could ruin "people's lives and hopes," the statement notes. "The statements of the rights owners indicate that trans men are being aggrieved for commercial purposes and concerns, especially on social media pages."

The statement also specifies a "trans man," without disclosing his name, saying that he has been exploiting the lack of government policies about gender transition.

This person works as a broker between doctors and trans people who want to undergo transition surgery and makes a profit by deceiving trans people, according to the statement.

"Consequently, a lot of applications about the surgeries 'not realizing what was promised,' and the doctors that carried out the operation not providing the necessary care and nursing have been conveyed to us," it says.

It adds that the government, according to the Constitution, is obliged to make policies ensuring that people can easily access information and the right to health. "The lack of a policy within this scope creates a situation where the access to the right to health and the existence of trans people are turned into a commercial material, especially through the diversifying needs of trans men."

The statement has been released by the following groups: May 7 Association, Ankara Rainbow Families Association (GALADER), Young LGBTI+ Association for Youth Studies and Solidarity, Hevi LGBTI+, Kaos GL, Lambdaistanbul, Muamma LGBTI+ Association, Free Colors Association, Pink Life LGBTI+, SPoD. (EMK/VK)