- In Turkey, what do people do or say (or not do or say) if they want to be seen as gay [lesbian] [straight]?
If you speak or talk femininely people. Or when your gestures are girly. Or even if you are a male who wears earrings people may think you are gay. Or if you are a female who prefers short hair may make people think you are a lesbian. So people do the exact opposite thing mentioned above in order to seem like a straight person.
- How is this different in another country? How is it similar?
Actually, it may differ for other countries but the general ideas about being an LGBTQI+ member are almost the same for every country.
- Why do people sometimes want to be seen as straight [bisexual][lesbian]? Why do they sometimes not want to?
People want to be seen as straights for several reasons. These may include social factors, religion, and family. First of all the family is the majör reason why LGBTQI+ members want to seem like straights. Especially if they are not economically independent. Or they prevent as straights just not to upset their parents. Because most of the LGBTQI+ members believe that when their parents find out the truth about their identity they won't accept them even worse disown them. Some LGBTQI+ members try to pretend that they are straight just because it is a sin in their religion. And last but not least LGBTQI+ members pretend to be straight to be accepted into the social environment.
- Is it easy to identify someone as gay [straight] [lesbian]? Why or why not?
No, it's not you can not know whether if a person is gay or not without his/her statement. But people think that if they see something unusual this might a sign for them to address the person as a gay or lesbian.
- In Turkey/your university, which gender identities seem natural or acceptable? Which do not? How can you tell?
Generally in Turkey none of sexual orientation are acceptable because people think that it's not in their history, religion, genetics or traditions. I think I am a very lucky one because in my department most of the people are open-minded they don't judge me because of my identity. But outside my classroom and department, i find people are staring at me with disgust I can not understand the reason the only I did is smiling at everyone one. I think people don't know much about gender identities that are core of that hatred. The unknown always made people scared and still does. So at this point, we should organize talks about the issue and tell people we did not choose who we are but were born this way.
- After people move from Turkey, do they change how they think about gender identities? If so, how? If not, why not?
Some people may have changed their opinions about gender identities. But changing opinions has nothing to do with moving to another country. People should get educated. That's all the issue we've got here in Turkey. People are ignorant and their pride does not let them accept the truth.
- How about when foreigners move to Turkey?
I met lots of foreigners who are homophobes. They can't stand even two guys loving each other. But the foreigners especially westerns are really tolerant and respectful about gender identities. But not all of them.
- How safe do you think your university or practicum school is for LGBT students? How do you know?
I think my university is a safe place because I have never heard or experienced anything negative about my or other's sexual orientations.
- What do you think to be an ally to LGBT students mean?
Being an ally for LGBTQI+ does not makes you gay. And you can contribute to equality in society.
- Do you think it’s important to be an ally to LGBT students?
İndeed, I think being an LGBTQI+ ally shows how you admire love and equality.
- Who can be an ally in your university or practicum school?
Everyone can be an ally. The only thing they need to be told why they should be an ally. After a brief explanation, most of the people in my school would want to be an ally.
- What are some examples of things people can do to demonstrate being an ally in our school?
When they hear using of harassing language (calling someone faggot) they can warn the people. Or they can share the truth about the gender identities when they hear myths about the sexual orientations ( most people think being gay or lesbian is a choice but in fact it's just an orientation.