Crowd attempts to attack trans woman Selin Ciğerci

Click to read the article in Turkish (1) (2)

A group of people in Konya, central Turkey, attempted to attack Selin Ciğerci, a renowned social media personality and a businessperson.

The incident happened yesterday (March 12) when Ciğerci visited the city to attend the opening of a new branch of her beauty salon.

Dozens of people who gathered outside of the store chanted, "Get out of Konya, we don't want you here."

The police prevented the group when they attempted to march towards the store, which was later closed.

Ciğerci, a trans woman, is frequently targeted by some media outlets, the LGBTO+ commission of the Human Rights Association's (İHD) İstanbul branch said in a statement.

"Targeted on TV channels over her private life, Selin Ciğerci was this time threatened by a reactionary-fascist crowd during the opening of her beauty salon in Konya.

"The law enforcement forces, which do not allow any protest on streets, just watched this protest.

"... as rights defenders, we demand those who were involved in this attack on Selin Ciğerci's gender identity be identified and punished. Homophobia and transphobia are crimes against humanity!"

Ciğerci, who acquired fame through social media, owns a cosmetic products firm and a beauty salons chain named "Selin Beauty."

She had married Gökhan Çıra, a football player, in October 2019. The couple, who are divorced now, announced in January that they had adopted a baby, which led to a transphobic media campaign against her. (EMK/VK)