'Ebrar Karakurt is subjected to unacceptable attacks by a vocal minority'

Photo: 2023 CEV Europe Championship Quarter Final Polond-Turkey game. (AA)

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In a statement posted on its social media account today, the Galatasaray Thought Association addressed the hate speech directed at Turkey Women's National Volleyball Team player Ebrar Karakurt.

The statement summarized, "To marginalize people based on their nationality, language, religion, gender, or sexual orientation is a hate crime. The attacks on Ebrar by a vocal minority with a loud voice are absolutely unacceptable. We stand by our athlete, as the Galatasaray Thought Association."

Sports commentator and Hürriyet Newspaper columnist Güntekin Onay, who hosts a program on beIN Sports, on the other hand, responded to former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek, who had targeted Ebrar Karakurt for her sexual orientation two days ago (September 2), saying, "It's unclear what you do for a living and how you make money."

What happened?

Former Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek, on September 2, quoted a post made by player Ebrar Karakurt on social media for humor and said, "You are an LGBT person who is not worthy of the national team."

In addition to Gökçek, Özlem Doğan, the Ankara Representative of Milat Gazetesi, also stated, "My real expectation is that someone like Ebrar should be removed from the Turkish National Volleyball Team."

The pro-government media that targeted Karakurt due to her sexual orientation made headlines emphasizing Cuban-origin player Melissa Vargas among the other players of the Turkish Women's Volleyball Team after the team's victory in the 2023 European Women's Volleyball Championship on the night of September 3.

Meanwhile, members of the Turkey Women's National Volleyball Team continue to show their support for Karakurt. İlkin Aydın, who plays as a smasher on the team, responded to the targeting in one of her appearances by saying, "I was born free, and I will live freely."

Women's volleyball team received extensive support on social media from women and LGBTQ+ rights advocates.

Designer Mahir Akkoyun dedicated a rainbow design featuring Melissa Vargas' silhouette to the players of the team who has won the European Championship.

(TY/PE)