HDP requests Parliamentary investigation into hate speech against LGBTI+s in the media

* Photo: Evrim Kepenek - bianet

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In a Parliamentary inquiry, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İstanbul MP and lawyer Züleyha Gülüm has requested a Parliamentary investigation into the hate speech targeting the LGBTI+s in the media.

Referring to the "media's power to deeply affect the cultural and social structure of society as well as to influence the opinions and behavior of individuals," Gülüm has underlined that "in Turkey, media general uses a language that incites violence, hate, sexism and xenophobia, instead of playing a positive role in resolving social problems and socializing peace."

She has stressed that "the impunity for discriminatory and antagonistic hate speech in the media causes this language to be more widespread."

As indicated by HDP's Gülüm, "especially as a result of the antagonistic and discriminatory language targeting the LGBTI+s, attacks that culminate in violations of right to life happen, hate grows further, bias becomes entrenched and hate crimes are committed."

Further in her Parliamentary inquiry, Züleyha Gülüm has underlined that some vague terms such as "public morality", "national and sentimental values" and "Turkish family structure" are brought forward in the media.

Accordingly, she has reiterated that "the related hate speech and discriminatory remarks used in the media aggravate the problems faced by the LGBTIs+, whose rights, especially the right to life, have already been systematically violated, and biases become more entrenched."

Referring to the "LGBTI+ Representation in the Media" report of the Kaos GL Association, Gülüm has raised concerns that the discrimination and hate speech against LGBTI+s in the media increase in parallel with the statements and practices of the government and public officials.

According to this report, especially amid the LGBTI+phobic campaign against the İstanbul Convention and the Presidency of Religious Affairs' sermon targeting the LGBTI+s, the number of texts offering a negative representation of LGBTI+s, producing and spreading hate speech against them and using a discriminatory language saw an increase.

Against the background of these observations and findings, HDP İstanbul MP Züleyha Gülüm has requested the establishment of a Parliamentary investigation committee to inquire the hate speech and discriminatory language targeting the LGBTI+ in Turkey's media. (EMK/SD)