17/02/2020 | Writer: Kaos GL
Here is a list of organizations that provides counseling services to the LGBTI+ refugees.
Keeping in mind that LGBTI+ refugees who are trying to create a space where they can live their own identities in Turkey by fleeing the oppression and fearful life they experienced are simultaneously facing xenophobia alongside the homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia in the country they fled to, it is very important that they have access to an inclusive social work counseling. For this reason, we will introduce organizations that provide consultancy to LGBTI+ refugees.
Kaos GL
Kaos GL has been working with refugee LGBTI+s since 2007. In 2017, together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Kaos GL is carrying out a project called "Improving the Human Rights of Refugee LGBT+'s living in Turkey".
The social service expert, who works with refugee LGBTI+'s, visits satellite cities at regular intervals throughout the year and conduct face-to-face meetings with refugee LGBTI+'s. Legal and social consultation is provided in these meetings. The social service expert is involved in the organization of training and social activities held in satellite cities. While it is noted that the interviews, training and social activities are held in a safe environment, the social service expert also provides legal and social consultancy by telephone and e-mail in addition to satellite city visits.
The social service expert provides information to LGBTI+ refugees about the asylum procedure, satellite cities, rights and obligations, sanctions. It directs counselees who need legal support to lawyers and bar associations, especially to lawyers of Kaos GL.
The social service expert directs the counselees who request financial support to the local institutions that provide financial support. It communicates with professionals working in these institutions.
In matters of physical and mental health, Kaos GL tries to direct counselees who contact it to accessible, non-homophobic and non-transphobic hospitals and doctors. If health care in different cities is inadequate, it directs them to the nearest city that has adequate services. It acts together with counselees in the process of making appointments from hospitals.
It provides information to counselees about sex reassignment and hormone therapy processes. Since there are very few hospitals in Turkey that control these processes, it directs them to competent hospitals. Communicates with the necessary institutions in cases where they do not have access to hormones.
The social service expert gives information about the procedure to refugee LGBTI+'s, who wants to continue their education. Directs counselees who want to learn languages to local institutions that provide courses.
Kaos GL helps counselees who wish to meet the LGBTI+'s and LGBTI+ organizations in their city to communicate with activists and LGBTI communities in those cities. It promotes activities organized in different cities where counselees can be integrated.
In order to provide translation support when it is needed, it communicates with institutions working with refugees in the relevant cities.
Consultation via mail continues in Turkish and English via refugee@kaosgl.org address. Consultation about legal issues is provided via hukuk@kaosgl.org
The Human Resource Development Foundation (İKGV)
The İKGV is the first non-governmental organization to provide legal advice to asylum seekers and refugees since 2001 and psychological counseling since 2002.
Following these pilot studies, psychological support services were expanded and extended in Istanbul and Ankara with the cooperation of UNHCR and İKGV, which began in 2003.
Since 2007, social counseling services have been included in the current program and counseling is being carried out by social workers, psychologists and interpreters working in İstanbul - Ankara refugee offices.
Address: Remzi Oğuz Arık, Atatürk Blv No:219/4, 06550 Çankaya/Ankara
Tel: (0312) 428 30 11
Address: Kazım Karabekir, 1001. Sk., 34225 Esenler/İstanbul
Tel: (0212) 293 1605
e-mail: ikgv@ikgv.org
Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM - SGDD)
ASAM's ongoing projects include "Strengthening Access to Healthcare Services of Asylum Seeker Women and Girls", "We Are Strong Together", "SADA-Women's Empowerment and Solidarity Center Project", "Improved Support Project for Refugees Affected by the Syrian and Iraqi Crisis in Turkey", "Migrant Health Education Centers Project", "Life Skills Development Centers Projects", "Safe Area Project for Women and Girls Project", "Multi-Dimensional Support Centers Project"... With all this work, ASAM provides counseling to LGBTI+ refugees.
Address: SGDD-ASAM Headquarters
Aşağı Dikmen Mah. Galip Erdem Cad. No: 42-44 Çankaya / ANKARA
Tel: 0 312 427 55 83 / 212 60 12
Address: Battalgazi Mah. Orhan Kemal Cad. No: 136 Altındağ / Ankara
Tel: 0 312 376 53 237
e-mail: info@sgdd-asam.org
Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association
The association's refugee support services were created as part of the "Project to Support Key Refugees". United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Turkey is carrying out the project together with 3 practitioner partners: Social Policies, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (SPoD), Positive Living Association and Red Umbrella Sexual Health and Human Rights Association.
Within the scope of the project, 5 Refugee Support Centers and one Refugee Support Line were established.
Address: Kızılay, Konur 2 Sok. 44/8, 06420 Çankaya/Ankara
Tel: (0312) 419 29 91
e-mail: info@kirmizisemsiye.org
Hevi LGBTI+ Association
Hevi LGBTI+ Association provides counsel to refugees and publishes reports regarding LGBTI+ refugees.
Address: Hüseyinağa, Balo Sk. No:1 Kat: 5, D: 5, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
Tel: (0212) 293 50 85
e-mail: info@hevilgbti.org
Positive Living Association
Psycho-social counseling and legal support against social gender-based violence are provided for LGBTI+ and sex worker refugees living with HIV. You can ask for counseling and legal support by coming directly to the service units or calling support line 0850 888 0 539 free of charge from all over Turkey when you are exposed to violence or feel at risk of violence.
Address: Barbaros, Buğday Sk. No:2 D:No:5, 06680 Çankaya/Ankara
e-mail: info@pozitifyasam.org
Translation: Yiğit E. Korkmaz
Tags: human rights
