LGBTI+s face increasing pressure in Eskişehir, a city they consider a 'safe space'

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On May12, anonymous leaflets explaining "sodomy being haram with references to verses [of the Quran] and hadiths" were distributed in Odun Pazarı district of Eskişehir province in central Turkey.

The leaflet also included a call for the killing of LGBTI+s in Eskişehir with Islamic references.

LGBTI+ rights activists and lawyers in Eskişehir filed a criminal complaint on May 17 regarding the anonymous leaflets, saying, "We know that these leaflets without a signature are distributed by the reactionary, jihadist gangs."

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bianet interviewed Burç Parlak of the Eskişehir Anadolu LGBTİ+ community about the latest situation and increasing oppression in Eskişehir.

Parlak, stating that the leaflets distributed constitute hate crimes, also thinks pressures affect their visibility in the public sphere.

"During those days, we were organizing events on May 17, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia, and Interphobia. We organized a party on Eskişehir bars street. Some people were waiting at the corner and watching people entering. Then that leaflet incident did happen," said Parlak.

"We filed a criminal complaint together with lawyers from the Eskişehir Bar Association Anti-Discrimination Commission, the Eskişehir Democratic Women's Platform, and the Turkey Workers' Party (TİP)."

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"Leaflets are being sold online and in shops"

"After we filed this criminal complaint, they started distributing leaflets in a new neighborhood. The first time they did it in a region where there were people from disadvantaged groups. The new place consists of people from socio-economically advantaged groups."

"As soon as we noticed, we started to collect the leaflets; however, these leaflets were also offered for sale as booklets in shops. They are still being sold online and in shops. There is nothing we can do about it."

"Pressures affect our visibility"

On May 9, Eskişehir Governor's Office announced a 15-day event ban. The office said the ban was issued to "ensure public order and public security, prevent crime, protect others' rights and freedoms and prevent the spread of violence," without referring to a specific incident.

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Parlak drew attention to the recent bans applied by the Governor's Office in the city.

"We have been organizing events, parties, workshops, and panels since 2015, but recently police have started attacking us. For instance, the police come and say: 'You can't sit here together,' and 'Put that flag in your bag' during our events in public spaces."

"Our relations with the police was not bad until a year or two ago. We were demanding security at events such as March 8, and May 1. LGBTİ+s were not exposed to body searches while entering the demonstration areas. However, problems started last year. I think this is because of the LGBTI+ visibility in public spaces in Eskişehir. We are more visible now. Also, Eskişehir is a city that receives LGBTI+ immigration."

"We couldn't open an LGBTI+ booth at the Youth Festival"

"These pressures also affect our visibility in the public sphere. A Youth Festival was held in Eskişehir on May 19, with the participation of many non-governmental organizations. However, we could not open a booth for security reasons." 

"The shop owners that were in solidarity with us also started to distance from us. They have concerns about allowing us to use their places for our events and they want us to be less visible. In the past, we were hanging flags but now only a few places are left for us."

"We should not forget about LGBTI+ refugees. Such practices create many problems for them in accessing their basic rights. For example, those who are exposed to ID checks by the police are only refugees. They are being forced to be isolated from society."

"Leaflets are left in front of our homes"

Parlak also stated that LGBTI+ identities are criminalized in society.

"LGBTI+ activists are being followed and leaflets are left in front of their homes. They are directly being threatened. In 2018 we experienced a similar situation. A similar religious community targeted us."

"As LGTBI+ Community in Eskişehir, we are scared"

Parlak concluded that the LGBTI+ community in Eskişehir is forced to stay at home or live in ghettos.

"While we are organizing events we ask questions like 'Is it safe to do it? will there be any problem?'. Both activists and participants are scared of being attacked."

"LGBTI+s have been struggling with bans for a long time. When we first encountered the bans, we said to all opposition organizations: 'These bans are applied to us now but will be applied to you tomorrow'. At that time, very few communities responded to our call for solidarity. For now, they even ban making Yoga in parks." 

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(MD/TY/TB/VK)