In the course of the 20 November Week against Transphobia and Hate, the Istanbul Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transgender (LGBTT) Solidarity Association organized a demonstration in Takism on Sunday (27 November). The organizers aimed at drawing attention to hate crimes and hate murders targeted at transsexual individuals.

The demonstrators walked form the centrally located Taksim Square along Istıklal Avenue. A press release was read out in front on the Galatasaray Square.

In the statement, attention was drawn to the violence experienced by transsexual individuals, to restrictions encountered in everyday life and to the difficulties in the process of gender transition. The press release also pointed to the fact that transsexual individuals were pushed towards the sector of sex work since there was no other area of employment for them.

Circumstances were mentioned that make life unbearable for transsexual individuals such as prolonged court cases or rewarding hate murders by applying considerable mitigations of punishment due to supposed provocation. Also the behaviour of the police at police stations was mentioned and unlawful and harassing behaviour experienced by transsexual women at their work places.

Why 20 November?

A transsexual woman called Rita Hester was killed by being stabbed into her chest 20 times at her home in Boston on 20 November 1998. The World Trans Rights Movement owned the murder of Rita Hester as a symbol and organizes various activities around 20 November, the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, in order to keep this issue on the common agenda. (ÇT/VK)