02/09/2025 | Writer: Yıldız Tar
A new regulation by Turkey’s Ministry of Health is raising concerns that it could be used to profile trans people and obstruct gender transition processes, despite claims that it is merely a “standardization” measure.
The controversy began after the Kayseri Provincial Health Directorate circulated an instruction to hospitals, adding “gender reassignment” to the official reasons for issuing medical board reports. Hospitals were told not to use the “other” option and to issue e-reports instead of paper versions.
The circular quickly spread online, with some users framing it as an “LGBT opening” by the ruling AKP, claiming transition procedures had been eased. In reality, Turkish law has long allowed adults over 18, if unmarried and with a medical board report, to undergo gender-affirming surgery.
Ministry: ‘Not a new right, just standardization’
Responding to the debate, the Health Ministry said the change was intended to “standardize” medical board reports requested by courts. Under the new rule, the “Medical Indication Report for Gender Reassignment” must be issued by a board including endocrinology, urology, gynecology, plastic surgery, psychiatry, and genetics specialists. Applicants must be examined separately by each before approval.
The ministry stressed that the regulation “does not grant a new right or facility,” but aims to strengthen “control and monitoring mechanisms.”
Reports that were previously prepared by three doctors must now be issued by a full board of seven specialist physicians
In addition to its social media statement, the Ministry issued a press release clarifying that under the new regulation, reports that could previously be issued by three doctors can now only be prepared by a fully equipped board of seven specialists:
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Reports that were previously prepared by three doctors must now be issued by a full board of seven specialist physicians.
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The board consists of specialists in General Surgery, Psychiatry, Endocrinology, Urology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Plastic Surgery, and Medical Genetics.
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Before the board review, each specialist is required to examine the applicant separately.
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Reports previously issued by three doctors will automatically include the following note:
“Reports intended for gender reassignment must be prepared by a full board. This report cannot be used for gender reassignment purposes.”
The ministry stressed that the regulation “does not grant a new right or facility,” but aims to strengthen “control and monitoring mechanisms.”
Activists: A tool for surveillance
LGBTİ+ activists warn the change is a step toward tighter data collection. Umut Derin of Muamma LGBTİ+ Association said:
“This is not a facilitation, as portrayed, but a move to collect and control data on trans+ people. It risks creating a database that targets them.”
YÖK also demanded data, hormone age raised
The regulation follows other measures viewed as restricting trans rights. In June, the Higher Education Council (YÖK) asked medical faculties for statistics on individuals whose gender reassignment requests were accepted, rejected, or completed over the past decade. Around the same time, the Health Ministry raised the minimum age for hormone access to 21.
Activist groups condemned YÖK’s request as “profiling,” urging trans people to file petitions demanding transparency about data use.
Risk of blocking healthcare
Requiring boards with five different specialties may also restrict access. “Many hospitals do not have all of these experts, or lack doctors with experience in this field,” Derin said. “Hospitals could now deny healthcare, saying ‘we don’t have enough specialists.’ This violates both the Constitution’s equality clause and the fundamental right to health.”
‘Stop targeting trans+ people’
Derin warned that the regulation increases risks rather than rights:
“It makes trans+ people more visible as targets and adds bureaucratic barriers to healthcare. Our demand is clear: remove all obstacles to equal, free, and accessible medical procedures. And stop targeting trans+ people.”
Trans+ people seeking support can contact Muamma LGBTİ+ Association’s peer counseling service at akrandanismanligi@muammalgbti.org
Tags: human rights
