Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi’nde Lezbiyen, Gey, Biseksüel Ve Trans (LGBT) Haklari Gündeminin Ortaya Çikişi Ve Gelişimi: 2008-2014
Emergence and Advancement of the Agenda for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Rights in the Turkish Grand National Assembly

Summary/Abstract: The success of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) rights movements especially in Latin America, Western Europe and North America has recently made LGBT rights part of the international human rights framework. Despite the advances at the level of European Union and United Nations, Turkey still lacks anti-discrimination measures for LGBTs and has not yet recognised LGBT rights at the legal and constitutional levels. However, both international and domestic political dynamics keep LGBT rights at the top of the political agenda. At the international level, European Union provides significant political leverage for the LGBT rights movement by drawing attention to the violation of LGBT rights and discriminatory practices LGBTs face in its annual progress reports for Turkey. At the domestic level, Turkey has been witnessing the rise of a vibrant LGBT rights movement since 1990s, which has become increasingly visible, politically vocal and powerful since the second half of 2000s. The influence of LGBT rights movement in Turkey on social and political landscape of the country has not adequately been studied so far. In this context, following the footsteps of social constructivist approach to social movements, this article analyses the influence of LGBT rights movement in Turkey at the parliamentary politics. Based upon a review of parliamentary questions concerning themes related to LGBT rights issues, the article links the birth and development of LGBT rights agenda at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey with the political history of LGBT rights movement in Turkey. It is argued that the rise of LGBT rights movement since the second half of 2000s and the links it established with the parliamentary politics elevated the LGBT rights issue to the political agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

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