Turkiye has a long history of male entertainers dressed as women. Under Ottoman times, they were known as köçek. More recently the country has had renowned drag artists such as the iconic Seyfi Dursunoğlu, better known by his stage name and drag character Huysuz Virjin (The Grumpy Virgin). Two young pretenders to Seyfi’s crown, Akış […]
June is Pride month, an opportunity for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) community to celebrate their existence and highlight their long fight for equal rights.= One of the most anticipated events in London during Pride is Transpose. This incredible show started in 2011 and encompasses a wide range of performing arts […]
Today, 26 October, is World Intersex Awareness Day, and an important opportunity to help address the constant misrepresentation of Intersex people, who are also often critically neglected in global cinema. According to the United Nations, intersex people are born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions for male or female bodies. One of […]
February is LGBT+ History Month in Britain. During this annual month-long observance, the UK puts the historic experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI+) and their fight for equal rights in the spotlight. The aim of the month is simple: to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, LGBTI+ people, and to […]
February is LGBT+ History Month in Britain. During this annual month-long observance, the UK puts the historic experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI+) and their fight for equal rights in the spotlight. The aim of the month is simple: to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, LGBTI+ people, and to […]
A film made in Turkey about the lives of gay Syrian refugees has picked up the Best Documentary Award at the Mix Milano Film Festival. It is the latest accolade in a string of awards and honourable mentions for Mr Gay Syria. Producer Ekin Çalışır posted the news on Facebook and wrote: “So proud to […]
Dear Abla, I am a 22-year-old male. I’ve just moved back home after studying away at university for the past four years and it’s doing my head in. The problem is I’m gay and my family doesn’t know. From the outside, I am the archetypal macho Turk: I go to the gym and pump iron, […]
Ankara’s largest and most controversial reptilian resident was removed from public view this week on the instructions of the city’s new mayor Mustafa Tuna. A large dinosaur statue which had stood at a main road intersection in the Turkish capital since 2015 was quietly taken from its usual spot and placed into storage on Monday. […]
To celebrate LGBT Pride Month, the Frontline Club is screening two short films about the Turkish and Latin trans communities. Directors Andy Hayward and Olivia Crellin will be present for a Q&A discussion about their mini documentaries, chaired by India Willoughby, Britain’s first transgender newsreader. The number of transphobic murders in Turkey has increased […]
An attempt to bring North Cyprus’ LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex) community out of the closet has highlighted the homophobic attitudes still prevalent among some parts of the population. On 1 Nov, the Queer Cyprus Association (Kuir Kıbrıs Derneği) unveiled a major outdoor advertising campaign. Colourful billboards around the country displayed the words […]
