An openly gay designer who was attacked in Istanbul says he was assaulted because he had defended LGBT rights in a recent interview.
After being attacked in a major tourist neighborhood Thursday evening, Barbaros Sansal posted an image of his bloodied face on Twitter. “I was threatened and attacked due to political reasons, at 04:50 am in Taksim Ayaspasa,” he tweeted. “Dark brains, you will pay a heavy price for this. They told me that I will pay for my writings and statements with my life. I am only a soul but what will millions say?”
According to Gay Star News, Sansal’s interview with Sözcü made him a target for anti-gay thugs. In the same interview he revealed he had been tortured and raped by police in 1980.
While Turkey is more moderate than most Muslim countries—and homosexual relations between adults are legal there—the LGBT community still faces harassment and discrimination, even in cosmopolitan areas like Ankara and Istanbul.
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Dionte
Crazy world got me scared to go anywhere without my peace.
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
In this region downlow culture is so extensive, prolific, and in some respects almost institutionalised that it’s hard to know how to make significant progress other than intensifying the pressure by the EU and of course the United States … Predictably and depressingly It is ultimately down to the dollar — Capitalism: the best and worst friend to the gays.
On an uncharacteristically shallow note TURKISH GUYS! Holyfuckingmohammad!!! I just can’t…
Brian
Turkish guys are very masculine and swarthy. Even when they get older, they maintain their bodies quite well. If you like body hair and moustaches along with frenetic activity, I guess they are right up your alley.
Brian
On a more serious note, this assault on the Turkish designer is quite concerning. It’s good that Queerty has publicized his case. There is very little we can do about it except send emails and raise overall awareness about Sansal’s plight. Maybe get in touch with your local Turkish embassy.
Samuel
Of all the Muslim Nations, Turkey I would have thought would be the most tolerant, which I suppose it is ,given the fact that adult homosexual relationships are legal there; I hope this is just a stray incident and not a pattern that is emerging in some part of the Muslim world : Iraq seems to have gone the Iran with in terms of antigay violence