Thousands of people walked for Trans Pride: We need a law!

 

Trans Pride Week, arranged by Istanbul LGBTI Solidarity Association for the 6^th times this year, ended with Trans Pride March with the attendance of thousands of people.

 

Rainbow flags,  “Gender identity in constitution”, “We are not getting normalized” slogans were used and huge blue-pink 60 meters trans-flag was opened. Turkish and Kurdish “We need a law” was used.

 

As a result of police barricade in Taksim Square, March started in front of French Culture Center. Using United June Movement as an excuse, the police blocked the crew in Istiklal Street. After talking to police, while opening the block, the crew protested barricade with “Act as a prostitute, live with dignity police!” slogan.

 

During the march, with leading of a great enthusiasm, slogans; “We are travesties, we are here, get used to it! We are not leaving”, “What if we are travesties get used to it! We are everywhere”, “Tayyip run, run! Trans are coming” were used.

 

People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MP from Istanbul, Erdal Ataş supported March too. Walking in front of the crew with a bill, he was acclaimed.

 

Trans women staying at Trans Guesthouse and Syrian LGBT victims of war joined the March too. Trans prisoners were not forgotten and acclaimed too.

 

Craft in Istiklal Street, showing great interest and being supportive, opened a trans flag on Mephisto Bookstore’s balcony, while the crew were passing, they played Freddie Mercury’s song “I want to break free”. People against transphobia saluted Mephisto Bookstore.

 

When the crew came in front of Demirören AVM, they protested urban transformation and ennobling with “Demiroren fell over, Tayyip stayed under it!” slogan.

 

Ebru Kırancı and Beyrut Avşar from Istanbul LGBTI Solidarity Association read press release on behalf of Trans Pride Week at Tünel Square.

 

Emphasizing that hate crimes against trans people has increased, “Impunity to murders and attacks is an invitation to crime” was said. It was indicated that state should guarantee trans people’s the most basic human rights. Reminding that the terms “sexual orientation’’ and “gender identity’’ were not added to the Equality clause during construction of New Constitution, “We need a law!” was said.

 

In the statement reminding that President of the Republic, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, being the leading responsible for hate speech and its culture, Internal Security Package was protested. They touched upon Kobane resistance and stated that “ISIS cruelty that turns Middle East into a blood bath is a different face of same slaughter.”

 

“We are here with all colors of people whether you define us as group of marginal or deviants!” statement ended with “We need a law against hate murders, the othering, being slaughtered and ignored”

 

Translated by Simge Şirin