CHP

CHP’S LGBTI Candidates Not Elected due to Low Ranks on the List

Source: “CHP’den LGBTİ Adaylar Son Sıralarda Olduğundan Seçilemedi,” (“CHP’s LGBTI Candidates Not Elected due to Low Ranks on the List”) KaosGL.org, 18 April 2014, http://kaosgl.org/sayfa.php?id=16365

CHP’s woman deputies critiqued Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu for ranking the LGBTI candidates low on the list of candidates and for not abiding by the 33% quota for women candidates.

According to Ayşe Sayın’s news story in Cumhuriyet, CHP’s (Republican People’s Party) Bursa deputy Sena Kaleli organized a dinner upon the request of women deputies. At this dinner, deputies raised complaints about various CHP organizations’ careless and patriarchal attitudes in regard to women candidates.

“LGBTI individuals were ranked very low”

CHP’s Istanbul deputy Binnaz Toprak stated that the 33% quota for women was not implemented in the local elections and that women were not listed as candidates in places where they had stronger chances to be elected. She pointed out that CHP failed to represent all sectors of society. She said, “CHP nominated LGBTI individuals for the city council but they were ranked so low on the list that they could not be elected.”

Ankara deputy and former CHP group deputy chairman Emine Ülker Tarhan stated that she was dismayed by how HDP surpassed CHP in terms of women’s representation. She said, “You promised us that the number of women mayors and women city council members would increase. But that did not happen.”

“Women candidate names were replaced with men’s”

Women deputies critiqued various CHP organizations’ attitudes and actions in regards to women candidates and also claimed that there were some instances where the organization would replace a woman’s name on the list with a male candidate of their preference.

Kılıçdaroğlu accepted the criticism about women’s representation and declared that there would be detailed studies on this issue during this term towards building a new model and especially in relation to the organization of women’s branches.

Yeni Akit: CHP Collaborates with Perverts

Source: Yiğit Doğaner, “CHP Sapkınlarla İşbirliğinde,” (“CHP Collaborates with Perverts,”) 06 January 2014, Yeni Akit, http://www.yeniakit.com.tr/siyaset/chp-sapkinlarla-isbirliginde-h9064.html

Yeni Akit is a conservative daily newspaper that engages in hate speech against LGBTI people and other groups. This is a verbatim translation. 

CHP’s love for perverts is relentless. Melda Onur, the CHP MP for Istanbul, who has been engaged in collaborative work with the “International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission” (IGLHRC) regarding sexual perverts, went all the way to the UN headquarters in New York City to defend this group’s “rights.” She lobbied for the demands of sexual perverts, including same-sex marriage rights. Melda Onur, the CHP MP for Istanbul, Onur Fidangül and Zeynep Bilginsoy, who represented Kaos GL, the sexual perverts’ organization, participated as “the supporters of the LGBTI movement” in Turkey in the activities organized by the UN that brought together 45 activists from 20 countries. Bilginsoy explained that together with Onur and Fidangül, they worked successfully to advance the rights of homosexuals, transvestites, lesbians, transsexuals and others like them in Turkey, and that they engaged in lobbying efforts.

SAME SEX MARRIAGE IS OUR RIGHT, TOO

Bilginsoy explained that during the proceedings at the UN, they asked for Turkey to be pressured to include sexual orientation and gender identity in official documents and noted that as the Turkish delegation, they exchanged views on the rights struggle for same sex marriage.

Yeni Akit: Toprak, MP from the CHP works as if she is the representative of the homosexuals

Source: M. Emin Özkul, “CHP’li Toprak, Eşcinsellerin Vekili Gibi Çalışıyor,” (“Toprak, MP from the CHP  works as if she is the representative of the homosexuals,”) 19 December 2013, Yeni Akit, http://www.yeniakit.com.tr/haber/chpli-toprak-escinsellerin-vekili-gibi-calisiyor-8298.html

Yeni Akit is a conservative daily newspaper that engages in hate speech against LGBTI people and other groups. This is a verbatim translation. 

Binnaz Toprak, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Member of Parliament for Istanbul, works as though she is the representative of homosexuals in the Turkish General Assembly.

Toprak, who earlier had motioned the Parliament to initiate a Parliamentary Investigation for homosexuals, submitted a parliamentary question asking what is being done to end the ongoing victimization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual individuals.

TOPRAK IS ASKING FOR LEGAL PROTECTION FOR HOMOSEXUALS

Alleging in her parliamentary question that policies of denial, violence and elimination targeting LGBT citizens continue, Toprak said: “Despite the fact that sexual orientation and gender identity were added to the draft of the Law pertaining to the Protection of Family and Violence Against Women by joint agreement between women’s NGOs and the Ministry, they were later removed from the text by the Council of Ministers. Protection of sexual orientation and gender identity have been refused by the AKP. They are also absent from the draft law on Equality and Fighting Discrimination.”

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Yeni Akit: Support to Perverts From BDP and CHP

Source: Furkan Altınok, “BDP ve CHP’den Sapkınlara Destek,” (“Support to Perverts From BDP and CHP,”) 3 February 2013, Yeni Akit, http://www.yeniakit.com.tr/haber/bdp-ve-chpden-sapkinlara-destek-371.html

Yeni Akit is a conservative daily newspaper that engages in hate speech against LGBTI people and other groups. This is a verbatim translation. 

The CHP and BDP have turned into sponsors of perversion. Their “support for perversion” is clear in their reaction to the latest Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) Disciplinary Law, in which homosexuality and similar perversions remain grounds for dismissal.

The CHP (Republican People’s Party) and BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) expressed their support for the sexual deviants in their protest against the recent Armed Forces Disciplinary Law. The passing of the new law, which kept the same charges for homosexuality and similar perversions as in its older version, caused the CHP and BDP legislators to  back KAOS GL, an organization of sexual deviancy.

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“A First in the CHP: A Transsexual Nominee for City Council”

Source: CHP tarihinde bir ilk gerçekleşmek üzere: “CHP Osmangazi Belediye Meclis Üyesi aday adayı olan transseksüel Öykü Özen meclis üyelerinin belirlenmesi için üyelerin katılımı ile gerçekleşen seçimde aldığı oylarla kadınlar arasında ilk 3’te yer aldı,” (“A first in the history of the Republican People’s Party is about to happen: Öykü Özen, a transsexual and a nominee for membership in the Republican People’s Party Osmangazi City Council, placed in the top three among women in a vote that took place with party members in order to determine the nominees for the council,”) 13 February 2014, http://www.radikal.com.tr/politika/chp_tarihinde_bir_ilk_gerceklesmek_uzere-1176221

In Bursa, Öykü Özen, a transsexual and a nominee for membership in the Republican People’s Party’s Osmangazi City Council, ranked 10th among 50 nominees, gaining 642 votes from participating members in an election to determine members of the council.

Özen, who ranked 3rd amongst women, said, “They gave me their votes because I am proud of my gender identity and struggle against injustice. In the event that I am elected to the council, I will not tolerate any injustice.”

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Republican People’s Party Vice-President Sezgin Tanrıkulu’s Statement on Roşin Çiçek and LGBTI Protection

Source: “Genel Başkan Yardımcısı Sezgin Tanrıkulu: “Sayın Başbakan her seferinde “Yaradılanı Yaradandan ötürü seviyoruz” nutukları attığı halde, LGBTİ bireylerin korunması konusunda hiçbir adım atmaması onu bu ayrımcılığın temel aktörlerinden biri haline getirmektedir,” (“Republican People’s Party Vice-president Sezgin Tanrıkulu: “Although Mr. Prime Minister preaches ‘We love the Created for the sake of the Creator’ at every turn, the fact that he never took steps for the protection of LGBTI people made him one of the main partners in this discrimination,”) 10 February 2014, http://www.chp.org.tr/?manset=genel-baskan-yardimcisi-sezgin-tanrikulu-sayin-basbakan-her-seferinde-%E2%80%9Cyaradilani-yaradandan-oturu-seviyoruz%E2%80%9D-nutuklari-attigi-halde-lgbti-bireylerin-korunmasi-konusunda-hicbir-adi

Vice-President Sezgin Tanrıkulu remarked that Roşin Çiçek case, which was heard at the Diyarbakır Third Criminal Court for Aggravated Crimes today, is that of a hate killing. Here is the his written statement:

“LGBTI people who are subjected to systematic discrimination, harassment and attacks are also targets of hate killings. Roşin Çiçek’s case, which will be heard at the Diyarbakır Third Criminal Court for Aggravated Crimes today is a case of hate killing. The fact that Roşin Çiçek, who was in the prime of his life, was killed on 2 July 2012 by his father and uncles, once again showed us the consequences of homophobia in this country.

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Life in Prison in Roşin Çiçek Case

Source: Yıldız Tar, “Roşin Çiçek Davasında Müebbet Cezası,” (“Life in Prison in Roşin Çiçek Case,”) Kaos GL, 10 February 2014, http://kaosgl.org/sayfa.php?id=15785

LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex) and human rights activists were attacked by family members of Roşin Çiçek who was killed by his father and two uncles because of his sexual orientation in July 2012 in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır, Turkey. The police claimed that they could not provide security. The tribunal pushed LGBTI activists out of the courtroom and rejected their requests to join the pending case as joint plaintiffs. The uncles were sentenced to life in prison and the father was sentenced to aggravated life in prison.

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Is society ready for homosexuals?

Source: Çiçek Tahaoğlu, “Toplum Eşcinsellere Hazır mı?” (“Is society ready for homosexuals?”) bianet.org, 16 January 2014, http://www.bianet.org/bianet/siyaset/152847-toplum-escinsellere-hazir-mi

                                      

“Sooner or later, a faggot will be president. Let’s give up resisting this progress.” “Society was ready for heterosexual politicians, look what happened!” “There is no division between society and homosexuals.”

LGBTI people have never been this visible in local elections before! Six LGBTI pre-candidates from Istanbul alone took action to be involved in the city councils of different political parties.

Okan Bayülgen once asked the mayor of Ankara, Melih Gökçek: “When will we have a homosexual mayor in Turkey?” He received the answer, “Never, I hope. There should not be one.”

LGBTI visibility in politics has always been discussed with arguments such as “Is society ready for homosexuals?”

bianet asked the pre-candidates: “Is society ready for homosexuals?”

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The CHP’s LGBT Report Has Been Completed

Source: C. Can Yüksel, “CHP’nin LGBT Raporu Tamamlandı,” (“The CHP’s LGBT Report Has Been Completed,”) Kaos GL, 16 January 2014,  http://kaosgl.com/sayfa.php?id=15608

A report prepared by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) has been presented to the party.

The work for the report that has been carried out over the last six months by the LGBT Rights Research Committee of the CHP Kadıköy Youth Organization has been completed and submitted to the CHP Kadıköy chairperson.

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LGBTI Pre-Candidates Run For Municipal Assemblies

Source: “LGBTI Pre-Candidates Run For Municipal Assemblies,” bianet, 15 January 2014, http://www.bianet.org/english/gender/152845-lgbti-pre-candidates-run-for-municipal-assemblies

bianet interviewed various pre-candidates of the upcoming municipal elections with LGBTI background who raised their voices to have their say on their surroundings.

As the municipal elections are approaching, discussion focus on various party municipal assembly pre-candidates, men and women, from various parts of the country. bianet interviewed various pre-candidates of the upcoming municipal elections with LGBTI background who raised their voices to have their say on their surroundings.
bianet asked the following question: “How will your pre-candidacy affect/ contribute the policies of municipal assemblies of your electoral districts?

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CHP Leader Kılıçdaroğlu’s “Society is Not Ready for This” Cliché!

Orhun Gündüz, “Kılıçdaroğlu’ndan “Toplum Buna Hazır Değil” Klişesi!” (“Kılıçdaroğlu’s “Society is Not Ready for This” Cliché!), Hürileti, 21 December 2013, http://hurileti.com/yazar-75-kilicdaroglu_klise.html

The leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu met with online community “sourtimes” (ekşi sözlük) writers on 14 December 2013. In this meeting, he answered many questions ranging from topics like local elections and political conspiracy theories. The request to meet came from the CHP and one article states that Kılıçdaroğlu responded to questions on gay marriage and gay political representation. Though for unknown reason the details of this meeting was not brought about in the LGBTI agenda, it is impossible for me to ignore it.

It seems Kılıçdaroğlu almost evaded the issues of gay marriage and gay political representation and did not go outside the central political discourse: “I do not think the society of Turkey has reached this maturity. Because of this, it is not possible for the CHP to declare a gay candidate as mayor or establish gay marriage in a legal framework.” However, this statement does not correspond to the support some parliamentarians have given to LGBTI people, especially considering the fact the CHP attended Istanbul Pride with 8 parliamentarians.

This statement is completely contrary when the facts that various district and city LGBTI organizations of the CHP authored reports, Melda Onur went to the United Nations to increase the visibility of LGBTI people as a parliamentarian of a social democratic party, and many parliamentarians have submitted questions to the Assembly are taken into consideration. Then we keep thinking why people are hesitant towards the CHP. Furthermore, was it not Kılıçdaroğlu himself who met with the LGBTI Political Representation and Participation Platform? This was even presented as the CHP’s LGBTI opening by the media. The answer “society is not ready for this” is nothing but a cliché!

So what should we do to get society ready? Wait twenty years? What kind of change or maturity do we expect when amendments are not put on the agenda, when there are no candidates? I would not be surprised if someone stands up and says, “LGBTI people are not ready for Kılıçdaroğlu.” Plus, is it not condescending to posit that society cannot reach a certain maturity or to just say “it would not work anyway?” Is it not this attitude that the CHP has been trying to climb out for years?

Unfortunately, we do not see the consistent and encompassing answers regarding homosexuality when compared to the answers given to the other questions. We expect politicians to open the paths of anti-discriminatory policies. Kılıçdaroğlu can consult many people on this issue- parliamentarians working on LGBTI issues and the CHP’s LGBTI commissions in youth branches are among these people.

No matter what, it is no longer possible for the CHP to act conservatively on LGBTI rights. What must be done is to gain the support of not just some parliamentarians but all parliamentarians and representatives. Only when the CHP submits solid practices to the Assembly can we actually talk about a real social democratic stance.

 

SPoD and Representatives of the LGBT Political Representation and Participation Platform Visited the CHP Leader

Source: “SPoD ve LGBT Siyasi Temsil ve Katılım Platformu Temsilcileri CHP Genel Başkanını Ziyaret Etti,” (SPoD and Representatives of the LGBT Political Representation and Participation Platform Visited the CHP Leader,”) 21 November 2013, http://www.SPoD.org.tr/turkce/SPoD-lgbt-ve-lgbt-siyasi-temsil-ve-katilim-platformu-temsilcileri-chp-genel-baskani-kemal-kilicdaroglunu-ziyaret-etti/

Following the Local Administrations Political School for LGBTs that ran between 11 and 17 November 2013, the Social Policies, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD) continue their work to increase the political participation of LGBTs and visit political parties. Following the meetings with the politicians of the Democratic Party of the People (HDP) in the HDP extraordinary congress in October, the SPoD and the representatives of LGBT Political Representation and Participation Platform met with the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

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The CHP’s LGBT Report Takes Shape

Source: “CHP’nin LGBT Raporu Şekilleniyor,” (“The CHP’s LGBT Report Takes Shape,”) LGBT Haberhttp://www.h.madisozluk.com/2013/10/chpnin-lgbt-raporu-sekilleniyor.html?m=1

The LGBT Committee of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kadıköy Youth Organization has started to draft its report that was initiated in July 2013.

The CHP Kadıköy Youth Organization’s LGBT Rights Research Committee is the first institutional LGBT structure within the CHP. The committee has started to draft its report ahead of schedule.

The committee visited Lambdaistanbul LGBTT Solidarity Association,  LISTAG Families of LGBTs in Istanbul, Social Policies, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD) in August and September. It participated in the meetings of the LGBT Political Representation and Participation Platform and founded grounds for solidarity with LGBT representatives of other political parties. The committee took part in the LGBT event at Yoğurtçu Park and in the Kaos GL meeting in Taksim. They met with LGBTQI individuals and took notes. They functioned as consultants to politicians within the CHP on LGBT politics. They shared information and experiences with the CHP youth in other cities who want to start other LGBT commission within the CHP. The committee helped LGBT organizations reach politicians from the CHP.

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The Republican People’s Party visits LGBTTs

Source: CNNTürk, “CHP, LGBTT’leri ziyaret etti,” (The Republican People’s Party visits LGBTTs,”) 10 October 2013, http://www.cnnturk.com/2013/turkiye/10/10/chp.lgbttleri.ziyaret.etti/726711.0/

The Youth Organization Members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) visited LGBTs and listened to their problems in Izmir. LGBT people demanded a trans parliamentarian in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

After the CHP Izmir Parliament Member Mustafa Moroğlu attended the “Resist Ayol*” demonstration in July, the youth organization of CHP visited LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) people and listened to their problems. The Black Pink Triangle LGBT Initiative (Siyah Pembe Üçgen)  demanded a transsexual parliamentarian.

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Rıza Türmen: “A Milestone in the Turkish State’s Constitutionalism”

Source: “Rıza Türmen: Türkiye Devletinin Anayasacılığında bir Kilometre Taşı,” (“Rıza Türmen: ‘A Milestone in the Turkish State’s Constitutionalism’,”) Kaos GL, 17 August 2013, http://kaosgl.org/sayfa.php?id=14662

Republican People’s Party (CHP) Parliamentarian Rıza Türmen- member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey’s Constitutional Reconciliation Commission- assessed the “Draft Process of the New Constitution and LGBT People” for Kaos GL.

In a special assessment to Kaos GL, CHP İzmir Parliamentarian and former European Court of Human Rights judge Rıza Türmen argues that the recognition of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity at a constitutional level “even if it is in the preamble” is a significant gain for the LGBT.

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