Center for LGBTIQ+ Rights Founded in Ankara Bar Association

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A Center for LGBTIQ+ Rights has been founded in the Ankara Bar Association as per the decision of its Administrative Board.

Lawyer Öykü Didem Aydın has spoken to Yıldız Tar from KaosGL.org about the Center for LGBTIQ+ Rights.

Aydın, one of the lawyers who have contributed to the foundation of the center, has stated that they took action upon seeing the news containing hate speech towards LGBTI+ individuals, LGBTI+ lawyers, LGBTI+ organizations and bar associations working in this field.

A Center for LGBTI+ Rights was also founded in the İzmir Bar Association.

"Solidarity of lawyers is of utmost importance"

Underlining that LGBTİ+ lawyers, interns and law students have also been facing discrimination and hate speech, lawyer Öykü Didem Aydın has said,

"The recent incidents of discrimination such as some bar associations which did not register our transgender friends and the struggle of our friend Efruz Kaya, a law student, to get her diploma have also led us to take action.

"There are LGBTIQ+ individuals in our professional organizations and we need solidarity. When someone is not accepted to an internship position or the necessary change is not made on his/her law diploma in accordance with his/her trans identity, s/he should be supported by his/her own organization.

"It is of utmost importance that the LGBTIQ+ individuals can put forward their existence in the professional organizations and that the lawyers working in the field of LGBTIQ+ show solidarity. While struggling against hate crimes, hate speech and discrimination in every area of life, LGBTIQ+ individuals unavoidably get into contact with lawyers. The majority of discrimination incidents are crimes according to the law. That being the case, the capacity of the lawyer becomes extremely important."

In her interview to KaosGL, Aydın has also emphasized the importance of establishing centers and commissions under the name of LGBTI+ rights. (AS/SD)