IMC TV Lays Off Trans Reporter Demishevich

IMC TV has laid trans journalist Michelle Demishevich yesterday.

Demishevich has been working at IMC TV since March 2013. The news coverage regarding her being the first trans TV reporter in Turkey circulated around several news agencies including Hürriyet Kelebek, +1 TV, Agence France Presse TV and Time magazine. 

Demishevich told bianet that she was working without an insurance and was subjected to mobbing for long time. On the other hand, bianet’s effort to reach IMC officials yielded no results.

“Working with no insurance, mobbing..."

Demishevich said the following on her layoff:

“Mobbing, no insurance since the day I was employed, extra working hours, low payment… I wasn’t sent for reporting for 7 months. 

“After our news editor left, I was always the last option for the new editor. Despite indirectly, I was always getting warnings about my outfit and make-up. I knew that these were warnings to make me resign. 

“I was called to the general manager’s room today. ‘We don’t have anything to do with your gender but you don’t fit the professional morals,’ they said. They wanted me to sign a paper that I let go of my rights. However, my lawyer objected. So, I didn’t sign anything. I am going to take legal action soon.” 

Following the incident, Demishevic shared a photo on twitter, saying that she was “smiling in a way against the morals with her red lipstick and blonde bleached hair”. 

IMC TV: She had issues with news sources 

IMC TV, on the other hand, released a statement denying the allegations on red lipstick and inappropriate dressing for the layoff reason and claimed that there had been complaints from news sources regarding  Demishevich’s temper. 

“Lastly, she was assigned to report from Saturday Mothers/People of Turkey sit-ins on September 13 where she had an argument with some of their representatives and allegedly told them inappropriate things - which was the last drop in the bucket,” IMC TV said in a statement.  

“Which lipstick doesn’t suit you!"

Volunteers, employers and officials from Pembe Hayat (Pink Life) LGBT Association supported Demishevich by putting red lipstick on. 

“Being TV reporter is also activism"

Demishevich told bianet the following on 30 March 2013 on how being a trans reporter was significant:

"Activism is not only about demonstrating on the street. It is important to show that 'others' are also capable of doing meaningful things. Therefore, I am marching with my flag in the hand.” (ÇT/BM)

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* Click here to read the article in Turkish.