Twenty-six year old Ahmet Yildiz, described as "Turkey's gay poster boy," was shot and killed last week. And his friends suspect a so-called honor killing:
His friends believe Mr Yildiz was the victim of the country's first gay honor killing."He fell victim to a war between old mentalities and growing civil liberties," says Sedef Cakmak, a friend and a member of the gay rights lobby group Lambda. "I feel helpless: we are trying to raise awareness of gay rights in this country, but the more visible we become, the more we open ourselves up to this sort of attack."
…
So-called "honor killings" continue to be a grim reality wherever conservative social mores resist the rule of law.In Turkey, a recent government study estimated that around 1,000 honor killings have been committed in the past five years. The victims are mostly young women, murdered by male relatives for transgressing chauvinistic social rules.
Yildiz's death is but one example of growing anti-gay sentiment in Turkey. The government earlier this year dissolved gay group Lambda Istanbul for its "immoral" behavior, a move that garnered the nation plenty of criticism. But apparently cultural evolution's going to take a bit more than finger-wagging…
Is It Wrong to Report on a Marine Starring in Hardcore Gay Porn? (56)
· CHIP1218 says: To Number 55 B – I go to Eastern Europe frequently, I have friends there and my... »
Adam Lambert: Out Magazine Can Eat Shit + Die (182)
· Darrien says: I like Adam Lambert, I think he’s talented and I hope he has a long and... »
· wtdp says: I’m going to jump in here even though as a straight female I feel a little... »
EXCUSES: The Senate Just Knocked DADT’s Hearings Into Next Year (4)
· WillBFair says: It’s a difficult call. The Senate is busy right now. But polls show the public... »
· Brian says: B.S. »
PHOTOS: He RSVPd With His Eyes (41)
· tommyb says: he’s way hot – you queens are pathetic. »
Welcome Back, Ru! … Hugo Chavez Supports the Gays, But Not Their Marriages (5)
· romeo says: Hang in there, Carlos, and good luck to you. We have a lot of hypocritical lefties in... »
For Her Big Return, Janet Jackson Returns to Her Entire Past (11)
· dontblamemeivotedforhillary says: Don’t stop ’til you get it UP! Obviously about... »
Are Glee’s Kurt + Ugly Betty’s Justin Bad for Gay Youth? Absolutely Not. (49)
· freethinkingelder says: Many people seem to be saying that we should fit in, change our identity to... »
What Happened Last Month Before Your Little Boycott? The DNC Raised $11.5 Million (9)
· Brian says: Good idea Steve. Get the commitment first. »
sad…
Rest in Peace Ahmet, and other gays/lesbians in Turkey flee to somewhere sane.
Turkey, I hope the Kurds and Greeks show you the same mercy you show queers. US cut the Billions of aid for Turkey, since they commit human rights violations.
Shame he is adorable
And they're going to let Turkey in the EU. What do you expect of a MUslim country?
Unfortunately, many of Turkey's paradoxes and contradictions are empowered by US policy.
If you know anything about our relations with Turkey, you know that "they can do no wrong", which of course they often do…
Turkey's post-empire attitudes are allowed to be maintained because we here in the States have allied ourselves with them…
Thank God that Turkey is interested in the EU, possibly the only motivation for them to shape up…
The story of this brave young man is devastating.
—————————————————-
Another example of the adherents of the Religion of Peace at work.
OMG- that's a tragic waste of a FINE cub…
I would be very surprised if the dishonor killing of Ahmet Yildiz is truly the first gay dishonor killing in Turkey. Maybe the first one that's been reported or gotten much press attention, but, unfortunately, gays are too often targets in these crimes.
Ellen R. Sheeley, Author
"Reclaiming Honor in Jordan"
http://www.redroom.com/author/ellen-r-sheeley
No – Entry for Muslims to the EU!
Enlightened Western Europe just say no to any admission of Turkey to the Union and let them keep killing their fellow country men. Better them than us Americans/Europeans. We have our hands full as it is with some ethnicites.
CHURCHILL-Y = TROLL.
Do not feed the troll, it only encourages them.
I'm quite sure it's not their first gay honor killing
Why the surprise? It's a Muslim country………
Muslims + Blacks = Homophobes run amok
Darth Paul: You wrote: "OMG- that’s a tragic waste of a FINE cub…" What a rude statement. Typical ditzy queer comment; sex on the mind 24/7. And, as a community, we expect respect and acceptance with people writing such as Darth Paul??
RPCV, you are also a troll.
…as for a troll, you aren't even a good one, both of your comments are weak. Having seen you here before, I am NOT surprised.
Nothing Darth Paul said was rude. Keep trying. I'm sure you'll be back and I can't wait to see your troll-fu improve. I hope it does.
dubwise: Darth Paul's comment was rude. And, if you aid and abet him, you're just as guilty.
How was it rude?
dubwise: You're clueless, aren't you…
Darth Paul minimized Ahmet's tragic death by referring to the world's loss of a "FINE cub." Uncalled for.
I've told you before. I prefer clue-FREE.
either way…Darth Paul made a statement based on a photo. I doubt he knew the guy. I doubt you did. I said at the beginning it was sad. Darth Paul said it was sad.
Your argument is weak. Try again. If anyone minimized the tragedy it was you. Darth Paul made a compliment and you came into the thread and tried to start an argument, and making racist comments like you always seem to do.
Turkey isn't a Muslim country. Turkey is a secular country.
I'm confused on why this is being called an honor killing? Was he killed by a male relative who thought his sexual behavior was bringing dishonor to the family? If so then it could be called that (though it is a hateful term) If not then just call it the hate crime it is.
Wait a minute
"Churchpunk-Y be so stupid"
So what about Aaron McKinney and Russell A. Henderson they killed Matthew Shepherd.
Does that means no Whites into the U.S
You're such a DUMB and HATEFUL BITCH!
Just think all that backed-up hate you have if you used half of your brain you could get a professional white collar job.
But then again……………..????
I digress
Mark,
We Turks won't flee anywhere like cowards! We will stay in our homeland and struggle to develop our rights here. And Kurds and Greeks will live here with us in harmony. About US Aid, PLEASE keep your hands away from this reigon. There is blood and death everywhere you go!
Hope no sick minds like you ever give a hand to us to make things better.
This is no reflection of Islamic acts. People are mixing of traditions and religiouns. You can check the routs of all other religions. Jews, Muslims and Christianity are not considering gays as "normal act" go to the historical stories ..
As a Jew, I am telling you we do the same. We do not accept gay people because it is against our religion.
Islam is the same ..so do not connect while you are not educated of what religions are…
Gay people.. I am not discriminating against you,but that is something against nature..
If God created ppl. to be gays..there will be no continuouly…
shame of this people who killed Ahmet how can you call yourself man or human shame on world how to look at this and do not do anything GOD where are you you send us to this world i am iranian gay that i came to turkey to be safe but this news make me disapointed