05/02/2026 | Writer: Kaos GL
Following a wave of inspections targeting LGBTI+ associations, a lawsuit has been filed against Defne Güzel, Chair of the 17 May Association. The case is based on a book and an exhibition catalogue related to intersex rights. The first hearing of the trial, in which Güzel faces up to three years in prison, will be held on May 12.
At a time when inspections and pressure on civil society organizations are increasing in Turkey, the legal process targeting the 17 May Association, which operates in the field of LGBTI+ rights, has entered a new phase. A lawsuit has been filed against Defne Güzel, Chair of the Association’s Board of Directors, on charges of violating the Law on Associations, with allegations of being “contrary to public morality,” based on a book and an exhibition catalogue published by the association.
In the indictment accepted by the Ankara 74th Criminal Court of First Instance, the prosecution seeks a prison sentence of between one and three years for Güzel, as well as the deprivation of her right to vote and be elected.
Expert report ignored
The legal process began with a widespread wave of inspections launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Interior targeting LGBTI+ associations. All activities of the 17 May Association, from its administrative and financial records to its digital activities, were subjected to scrutiny.
Within the scope of the investigation, a three-member expert panel appointed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office found the association’s activities to be lawful in its report dated July 9, 2025. The report explicitly stated that “the activities of the 17 May Association fully comply with its statutory objectives and that no irregularities were found.”
According to legal practice, the process was expected to conclude with a decision of non-prosecution. However, the course of events changed when the Prosecutor’s Office disregarded the expert report. Contrary to the expert opinion, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office prepared an indictment on January 20, 2026, initiating judicial proceedings.
Intersex stories and exhibition catalogue deemed a “crime”
The materials cited as criminal evidence in the indictment are striking. The book titled #MyIntersexStory, in which intersex individuals recount their own life experiences, and the exhibition catalogue titled Children, Roe Deer, Flowers, Fires were deemed “contrary to public morality” by the prosecution.
The indictment alleges that these publications contain “content of a nature that disrupts mental, moral, psychological, and social development beyond their intended purpose.”
“The principle of individual criminal responsibility is being violated”
One of the most controversial aspects of the case is the inclusion of social media posts by third parties who have no organic connection to the association. Individual posts shared on social media under the hashtag #MyIntersexStory, by people unrelated to the association’s management, were attributed to Association Chair Defne Güzel. Legal experts state that this constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principle of criminal law known as the “principle of individual criminal responsibility.”
17 May Association: “This is a legal absurdity”
In a strongly worded statement regarding the case, the 17 May Association described the situation as a “legal absurdity.” The statement included the following remarks:
“This case is not only directed at Defne Güzel; it is a case against the visibility of intersex people, academic production, and LGBTI+ rights advocacy. Bringing works protected under artistic freedom of expression before the courts is an explicit act of censorship. Our rights-based activities, spanning from people living with HIV to elderly LGBTI+ individuals, are being criminalized under the guise of ‘morality.’”
About Defne Güzel
Defne Güzel, who has long been part of the LGBTI+ movement in Turkey, is a seasoned activist known for her work in the fields of human rights and sexual health. As one of the founding members of the 17 May Association, Güzel is particularly recognized for her expertise in monitoring LGBTI+ human rights, and combating hate crimes and discrimination.
Actively involved in strengthening civil society and rights-based advocacy, Güzel has contributed to numerous initiatives aimed at the well-being and welfare of the LGBTI+ community since the association’s founding. The lawsuit filed against her represents an attempt to intimidate all human rights defenders through her person.
In addition to her work with the 17 May Association, Defne Güzel has also been involved with the Bursa Özgür Renkler and Kaos GL associations, working in the monitoring and documentation of LGBTI+ rights violations. She is known for her work on monitoring and reporting on the rights of LGBTI+ people living with HIV. She is one of the founders of Pozitif Alan, which advocates for the rights of LGBTI+ people living with HIV. She is also a member of the Central Anatolia Regional Monitoring Group of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, the Human Rights Defenders Solidarity Network (HRDSN), the Ankara Branch of the Human Rights Association (HRA), the Red Umbrella Association, and Murat Çekiç, and a volunteer with the Women’s Platform for Equality (EŞİK).
Some of the publications Güzel has prepared or contributed to include: Human Rights Report on LGBTI+ People Living with HIV, LGBTI+ Access to Justice Report, The Status of Bursa Municipalities in Terms of LGBTI+ Policies, The Impact of the February 6 Earthquakes on LGBTI+ People, AIDS’li İğne, and Kaos GL LGBTI+ Human Rights Report (2021–2025).
Timeline
- September 2019: The 17 May Association was founded.
- 2024: A general inspection targeting LGBTI+ associations was launched by decision of the Ministry of Interior.
- October 2024: The inspection of the association was completed, and a report was issued citing digital content (intersex stories and the exhibition catalogue) as grounds.
- November 2024: The Governor’s Office and the Ministry filed a criminal complaint against the association.
- July 2025: CRITICAL TURNING POINT: The expert panel appointed by the Prosecutor’s Office issued a report stating that the association’s activities were in line with its statute and that no criminal elements were present.
- January 2026: Disregarding the expert report, an indictment was prepared against Association Chair Defne Güzel.
- May 12, 2026: The first hearing of the case will be held at the Ankara 74th Criminal Court of First Instance.
Full text of the 17 May Association’s statement:
A lawsuit has been filed against 17 May Association Chair Defne Güzel: LGBTI+ rights advocacy is not a crime!
Public Statement Regarding the Lawsuit Filed Against Defne Güzel, Chair of the Board of Directors of the 17 May Association
LGBTI+ Rights, Freedom of Association and Expression Under Threat!
The shrinking space for civil society in Turkey, systematic pressure on human rights defenders, censorship of artistic and academic freedom of expression, and attacks on the very existence of LGBTI+ people have unfortunately entered a new phase.
Since September 2, 2019, the 17 May Association has transparently carried out activities in Ankara with experienced human rights defenders and experts to promote the well-being, welfare, and legal empowerment of LGBTI+ people. Today, it faces a “legal absurdity” in the form of a lawsuit filed against its Chair of the Board, Defne Güzel.
We hereby inform the public that a lawsuit has been filed against our Chair of the Board, Defne Güzel, seeking a prison sentence and the deprivation of her right to vote and be elected, based on our association’s publications and activities.
How did the process unfold?
In 2024, a centrally issued decision by the Ministry of Interior launched a systematic inspection wave targeting LGBTI+ associations across Turkey, which also encompassed our association, the 17 May Association. All of our activities, from administrative and financial records to forms of digital expression, were meticulously examined.
During the investigation, a three-member expert panel appointed by the Prosecutor’s Office and composed of specialists in the field clearly determined in its report dated July 9, 2025, that “the activities of the 17 May Association fully comply with its statutory objectives and that no irregularities were found.”
By law and logic, the case should have been closed following this favorable expert report. However, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office disregarded the expert opinion and prepared an indictment on January 20, 2026, seeking a prison sentence of one to three years for our Chair of the Board, Defne Güzel.
The materials cited as evidence in the charges are the book titled #MyIntersexStory, in which intersex people share their own stories, and the exhibition catalogue titled Children, Roe Deer, Flowers, Fires. The prosecution claims these publications are “contrary to public morality.”
The indictment alleges that these publications constitute “content that disrupts mental, moral, psychological, and social development beyond their intended purpose,” and seeks to prosecute Defne Güzel for violating the Law on Associations.
Even more alarming is the fact that social media posts shared under the hashtag #MyIntersexStory by third parties with no legal or organic connection to our association were also included in the case file and attributed as criminal conduct to our Chair of the Board. Holding our Chair responsible for the actions of others is a clear violation of the principle of “individual criminal responsibility” in criminal law.
Defending intersex rights is not a crime!
This lawsuit is not only directed at Defne Güzel; it targets the visibility of intersex people, academic production, and LGBTI+ rights advocacy. Our rights-based activities-ranging from people living with HIV to elderly LGBTI+ individuals, from climate work to social services-are being criminalized under the guise of “morality.”
Censorship of artistic freedom of expression!
The works included in the exhibition catalogue published on our association’s website fall within the scope of artistic freedom of expression. Subjecting these works to prosecution constitutes explicit censorship.
Our call
The Ankara 74th Criminal Court of First Instance has accepted the indictment. The first hearing of the case will be held on May 12, 2026, at 9:40 a.m.
As the 17 May Association, we will continue to stand with science, art, law, and human rights, and to produce and work for LGBTI+ rights. This case is an act of intimidation aimed at silencing civil society in Turkey; however, we believe in the power of solidarity.
We call on all segments of the democratic public—especially human rights organizations, lawyers, and members of the press—to stand in solidarity with our Chair of the Board, Defne Güzel, at the Ankara Courthouse on May 12, 2026, and to raise their voices against this injustice.
Defne Güzel Must Not Be Prosecuted!
Rights Advocacy Is Not a Crime!
17 MAY ASSOCIATION
Tags: human rights, women, media, life, lgbti
