17/03/2026 | Writer: Kaos GL
The Kaos GL Association drew attention to the lack of legal protections in Turkey, barriers to accessing healthcare services, and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Kaos GL Association contributed to the report of the United Nations Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. The Association’s submission reveals structural discrimination, violence, and human rights violations faced by lesbian, bisexual, and trans (LBT) women in Turkey.
The Association stated that the current legal framework in Turkey does not adequately protect LBT women against discrimination, noting that sexual orientation and gender identity are not explicitly included in anti-discrimination provisions. It also emphasized that national human rights institutions often refuse to accept applications in this field. The submission further highlighted that anti-LGBTI+ language is becoming increasingly institutionalized through government rhetoric, as well as in the strategy documents and public policies of state institutions.
LBT women’s access to inheritance and social security rights is limited
The Association noted that gender norms in Turkey are based on a cisheterosexual family model and that legal regulations recognize only heterosexual couples, which restricts LBT women’s access to rights such as inheritance, social security, and care services. This situation also makes it more difficult to access social and healthcare services. It was further stated that there is a lack of data on LBT women in public policies and official statistics, and that even the use of the concept of “gender” in state correspondence is being restricted, leading to the exclusion of these groups from policymaking processes.
Withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention weakened protection mechanisms
The submission emphasized that LBT organizations and activists face serious restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. It reported that LGBTI+ events are frequently banned or prevented through police intervention, and that association closure decisions and censorship of cultural events constitute severe interference with freedom of organization and expression.
It also stated that LBT women face various forms of violence, including domestic, psychological, and economic violence, hate crimes, and social exclusion. The withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention was noted to have weakened protection mechanisms. The report further underlined that discrimination in employment increases economic vulnerability. It also highlighted that hate crime legislation in Turkey does not cover sexual orientation and gender identity, which increases the risk of impunity.
Healthcare workers are prejudiced, the healthcare system is heteronormative!
The submission stated that anti-LGBTI+ discourse is widespread in media and digital platforms, and that some state institutions directly or indirectly contribute to its spread. This situation has led to an increase in online hate speech. It was also emphasized that LBT women face widespread discrimination in accessing healthcare services, and that prejudiced attitudes of healthcare workers, along with the heteronormative structure of the system, cause many LBT women to avoid seeking healthcare.
Barriers to gender affirming processes are increasing
The Association also stated that trans women are among the groups most exposed to discrimination in Turkey. It pointed to widespread violations such as exclusion from employment, housing problems, restrictions in access to healthcare, and police violence, and noted that legal and administrative barriers related to gender affirming processes are increasing. In addition, it emphasized that refugee LBT women face intersecting forms of discrimination stemming both from their refugee status and their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Click here to access the full submission
Tags: human rights, women, media, life, labour, family, trans, lgbti
