I interviewed with my best friend in Çanakkale. He is the guide and light of me in this inequal and limited world.
- In Turkey, what do people do or say (or not do or say) if they want to be seen as gay [lesbian] [straight]?
- It is really hard to be openly gay in Turkey since the Turkish people are usually behaving as homophobic- actually they are unaware with this side of the world. Gay people often use social media platforms to be open about their sexuality and easily communicate with others.
- How is this different in another country? How is it similar?
- As you know, there are some countries just like Holland that has given LGBT community the equal rights. So it is easier for people in those countries to be open about their sexual identities.
- Why do people sometimes want to be seen as straight [bisexual][lesbian]? Why do they sometimes not want to?
- If they are comfortable in a society (or around a group of people), they are not afraid or ashamed of being open about themselves. But if they do not feel comfortable and be aware of the fact that they are going to be judged, they prefer to be identified as a straight.
- In Turkey/your university, which gender identities seem natural or acceptable? Which do not? How can you tell?
- Homosexual gender identity is acceptable. Others are usually not acceptable. In my opinion, it is a result of religious and political position of Turkey.
- How safe do you think your university or practicum school is for LGBT students? How do you know?
- I do not think that it is safe to an LGBT student at my university -or any universities in general- because LGBT community does not have equal rights in Turkeey. People are afraid and they prefer not to go out publicly because they simply do not want to be a target for any act of bullying.
- What do you think to be an ally to LGBT students mean?
- Being an ally to LGBT students means that you publicly show respect for those students and set an example for the other- to be respectful, maybe. It also means that you believe in equality and support love around- not hate. "Love is love."
- Do you think it’s important to be an ally to LGBT students?
- Yes. I really believe that it is important for straight people to be publicly open about their support towards LGBT people so that others can see that it is not just gay people who thinks that it is okay to be gay. Their support means a lot to the LGBT community.
- Who can be an ally in your university or practicum school?
- Anyone who believes in equality and believes that love has no gender!
- What are some examples of things people can do to demonstrate being an ally in our school?
- They can have conversations about being an ally, show their support towards LGBT community publicly and join student organizations (of course, if possible).
- Do you have anything to add?
- Homosexuality does not kill but homophobia does. Let's send love around since love is love.