04/07/2006 | Writer: KAOS GL

BIA News Center

Transvestites and transsexuals in capital Ankara found "Pink Life" support association in wake of growing attacks on Turkey's transgendered community. "We will struggle for social, economic, cultural rights but most important of all, the right to life".

Turkey's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual Solidarity Association formally founded the "Pink Life" support association in capital Ankara on June 30 in wake of a growing number of attacks and discrimination targeting the country's transgendered community.

"We will struggle for social, economic, cultural rights but most important of all, the right to life" a statement by the Association said, noting that their purpose was to support the participation of alternative genders in social peace, calamity and prosperity with their social and cultural life as well as behaviour.

The statement particularly referred to violent attacks on transgender individuals in recent times in Istanbul, Bursa and several district of Ankara saying "we don't want to watch this violence".

Pink Life's statement said "sex work", for which transsexuals and transvestites are regularly blamed by the mainstream media, "is not a fate" and that the Association wants to draw attention to the fact that no one cares for the problems of people with an alternative gender being forced to work in the sex industry.
Tags: life
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