Turkish Psychologists Association

Campaign against discrimination of LGBTI: Discriminatory Books and Practices Must Go

Numerous organizations in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and sociology have started a major campaign against anti-LGBTI discrimination. Their first goal is to stop the sale of discriminatory books.

Source: “LGBTİ’lere ayrımcılığa karşı büyük kampanya” (“Major campaign against discrimination of LGBTI”) BirGün, 27 January 2015, http://www.birgun.net/news/view/lgbtilere-ayrimciliga-karsi-buyuk-kampanya/12683

Mental health workers have started a campaign opposing discrimination and prejudice against LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, and intersex) persons. Noting that health organizations throughout the world have removed sexual orientation from classification as a disease since the 1970s, that in numerous countries legal measures have been taken to protect the rights of LGBTI persons, but that in Turkey there is a legal deficiency in this respect, the organizations have issued an appeal against books that promote discrimination. The appeal, signed by numerous associations and professional organizations such as the Association of Psychologists for Social Solidarity, the Turkish Psychologists Association, the Turkish Psychiatry Association, the Istanbul Chamber of Medicine, the Human Rights in Mental Health Initiative Association, the Psychological Consultants Association, the Trauma Studies Association, the Sociology Graduates Association, the Psychology Students Occupational Law Platform, and the Turkish Psychology Students Working Group, is as follows:

The printing and sale of books containing prejudice and discrimination in any form against LGBTI individuals and/or recommending “cures” for homosexuality/bisexuality should be halted immediately, and books of this kind found on bookstore shelves should be taken off the shelves.

In the area of mental health, all homophobic/transphobic practices and therapies which are administered under the name of “reparative therapy” or other names, which claim to “cure” homosexuality, and which, furthermore, give “patient” treatment to trans individuals, should be discontinued.

As institutions signatory to this text, we declare that we condemn these kinds of homophobic/transphobic books and practices, that we will publicly scandalise them and hold those responsible accountable, that we will take up legal action against these kinds of books and persons/institutions. We are determined to follow through with these actions. We invite all people and institutions, mental health workers, publishing houses, book stores, and schools to be aware of the situation in question and to support our campaign.

Turkish Psychologists Association: LGBTI suicides are always a social phenomenon

LGBTI suicides are always a social phenomenon because an LGBTI individual is directly or indirectly exposed to cultural, legal, physical and social discrimination and violence throughout her/his entire life. 

Source: Turkish Psychologists Association, “LGBTİ intiharları her zaman toplumsal bir olgudur”, (“LGBTI suicides are always a social phenomenon”), TPD, 06 January 2015, http://www.psikolog.org.tr/index.php?Detail=1201

We are deeply sorry for the suicide of the trans-individual Eylül Cansın.

We give our condolences to her relatives, friends and LGBTI Movement.

LGBTI suicides are always a social phenomenon

LGBTI suicides are always a social phenomenon because an LGBTI individual is directly or indirectly exposed to cultural, legal, physical and social discrimination and violence throughout her/his entire life.

The hopelessness and desperation of an LGBTI individual is linked to the discrimination and the violence she/he Is exposed to

The hopelessness and desperation that an LGBTI individual has to face, which sometimes results in depression in clinical levels, is the consequence of the discrimination and violence that she/he is exposed to. The available research points out that being exposed to discrimination and to violation of rights and being excluded from one’s family [and support networks] lead to health impairments such as depression, anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also raises the risk of tendency to suicidal thoughts, weakens the immune system and delays recovery. It is our responsibility to act in solidarity with LGBTI individuals in the context of cultural, legal, physical and social discrimination and violence, and to take a stand against homophobic and transphobic attitude and acts of society.

The responsibility of the media: The media must avoid broadcasts that may encourage suicide

In this context, the media shoulders an important responsibility. First of all, we want to repeat the previous warning: suicides, especially in the form of Eylül Cansın’s which occurred on 4 January 2015, have to be treated very carefully by the media, since they can pave the way for other suicides. This is a critical issue.

It is crucial not to share and broadcast the video with the suicide note in order to prevent it from becoming widespread. A detailed description of the suicide process may trigger and can become a role model, especially for adolescents, young adults, and people who are inclined to depression and suicide. It also raises the possibility of imitation. Many studies underline this possibility. For this reason, any type of suicidal incident should not be broadcast as the headline or as breaking news and it should be broadcasted without visuals and without dramatizing the incident. In news broadcasts, detailed depictions of the method of suicide must be avoided and media outlets must not broadcast the aftermath of the suicide.

Legal, psychological and social support available to LGBTI individuals must be emphasized

The support and treatment possibilities for the depression, which underlies the behavior of suicide, as well as the effectiveness of these possibilities on saving lives must be emphasized. Wide publicity must be given to the legal, psychological and social tools that LGBTI individuals can use. This publicity must also provide information on the organizations which they can join and the psychosocial support projects that they can benefit. The contact information of these organizations and foundations must be generalized.

As the TPD [Turkish Psychologists Association] LGBTI Studies Unit, we call on the media establishments to publicize the violence and discrimination LGBTI individuals face in every fields of their life and to act in solidarity with the LGBTI political movement.

 


Having suicidal thoughts? Please, please stop long enough to read this. It will only take about five minutes: http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/

To the best of our knowledge, the online and IRL resources below will provide you with a safe and non-judgmental space.

IRC / Chatlines

Hotlines

Sexual Assault Resources

If you know of any other suicide resources where you live or work, please do let us know so that we can add them to our website. To contact us, email us at , or see https://lgbtinewsturkey.com/about/.

https://lgbtinewsturkey.com/2015/03/04/suicide-resources/