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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 13, 2008)
northwest A Pride with No Feathers Native Portlander recounts experiences at Turkey's anti-homophobia march C1NSEL by Mija Sanders CÌNSÌYET s the Portland waterfront becomes a The structural oppression that sexual minority or fray tribute to taking pride in being part ganizations are experiencing can be observed through esque A of a sexual or gender minority, could the actions taken by the governor of Istanbul. between statu shouting for an end we be taking our freedoms for granted? As of May 29, a Turkish court has ordered to transphobia, les While thousands gather to watch a the Lambda Istanbul Lesbian Gay Bisexual and bians shouting for a parade and lend visibility to the fight for mar Transvestites Solidarity Association to close riage and equal treatment under the law, queers in other comers of the world, like Turkey, fight simply to exist. a YRIMCIL trans women Gays and allies march with the passion of a thousand in Ankara, Turkey. voice and young men holding hands, shouting brought me to tears. I felt joyous for marching not down because the group’s title violates public alternating chants for gay recognition, 1 clutched only for myself but for my Turkish friends—for morality laws, but the case will continue to the my camera, taking in the historic moment. Al everyone who has no voice—to show the Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals. Additionally, Turkey though outnumbered and nearly overwhelmed by government we simply exist. The march inspired Chaos Gay Lesbian—a queer nongovernmen suffers from a continued lack of visibility on the the teams of police escorting our every move, the participants to imagine a world where everyone tal organization in Ankara, Turkey—held its an part of gays and lesbians, transphobia within the group continued to gain volume with its voices demands their human rights from their govern nual international anti-homophobia conference community itself and a continued lack of political and rainbow flags, which, for the first time on An ments, even in Turkey. May 16. Much like Portland Pride, the confer activism, stemming from fear. Many point the fin kara streets, outnumbered Turkish flags. ence is a place to celebrate sexualities, march in ger at the AKP, Turkey’s ruling conservative Is During the march I met fellow foreign activ fashion with the queer women of Anatolia appeals the street, have political discussions about gay lamic Justice and Development party, for com ists from Mexico, Holland, Sweden and Italy. to you, or you’d like to sit with Turkish queers in rights and party. But imagine a Pride parade with ing down hard on gay visibility. Trans people A swarm of media cameras raced after us, film the hamam, smoking from hookahs and sipping no music, no leather, no chaps, nor feathers nor say random violence on the part of the police ing gay European Union Member of Parliament chay while overlooking the meeting point of two wands nor whips, no Dykes on Bikes, no mayors, is on the rise. If the idea of belly-dancing in true Turkish Michael Cashman, who held the leading banner. continents, then pack your bags lightly. Leave the no children, no commercial advertising. In this I participated in the anti-homophobia march The march ended 45 minutes later at Ataturk leather chaps at home, throw a rainbow flag over city with a population of 4 million, 100 people in Ankara, finding myself at the tail end of the Boulevard, where police instructed marchers to march with the passion of a thousand. march, pushing my way through a tight mass of walk away in groups of 10, asking participants to your shoulders, and board the plane to Turkey’s next Pride. © Turkey’s queer community is facing “systemat riot police, squeezing past their machine guns to dismantle banners and flags. ic violence,” according to Human Rights Watch. join the shouting voices ahead. Jumping into the The pride 1 felt at the march in Ankara nearly M ija S anders is a Portland writer living in Istanbul. Peak Performance 2 Deborah Betron, CRB, GRI Z§ I’ABA Co-founder DeborahC“ BridgctownRcalty.com 503.239.6 146 503.287.9370 BRI DGETOWN r REALTY 1 Scott Werner, GRI — clear choice windows & doors Scot t W<" Bridgetown Realty.com 971.322.9399 5O3.287.937t» www.ScottWernerRealtor.com Portland s Largest Gay Owned Real Estate Company Since 1979 Dentistry In The Pearl That’s Something To Smile About! $74 New Patient Exam and X-Rays $49 New Patient Basic Cleaning (exam required) Dr. Viseh Sundberg Wood, Fiberglass & Vinyl Windows • Sustainable Products ci- Certified Installers • No Sub Contractors • Free Estimates $59 Children's Exam and Cleaning (new patients 12 & under) $99 Professional Home Whitening (exam required) SUNP&CKZ, litiBRied • bended • Intwred qregpR lip# lie# QFAIK-W&Q3IW www.cleareholeeconstruelion.com C tüMTEf P<Ä CfWflBTFr (503) 546-9079 222 NW 10th Avenue www.sundbergdentistry.com $299 In Office 1 Hour “Zoom” Tooth Whitening (exam required)
