Pink and Gray
Pink and Grey
Turks transsexuals take to the stage to defend their rights
Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, was shaken in the last times by "Pink And Grey," a play, which put the spotlight on the plight of transsexuals in mainly Muslim Turkey.
The leading actresses are Derya Tunz and Sera Can, amateur stars, male-to-female transsexuals, sharing the acting with their actual jobs as sex workers. "Despite all the discrimination we face, I have no regrets for what I am. My only regret is having ended up in the prostitution sector", said Sera Can. "Pink And Grey" represents the latest initiative of a fledgling but increasingly vocal movement for rights by a community long ostracized and often harassed.
Just like to another places of world, almost all transsexuals and transvestites in Turkey make their living as prostitutes. They say they have no other option in a society where homophobia is strong and often accompanied by violence.
Human rights activists say police abuse declined in recent years. "Before, the police used violence -- now they only fine us", said Buse Kilickaya, the head of Pembe Hayat, or Pink Life, a newly-founded association that advocates transgender rights and sponsored "Pink and Grey".
Kilickaya pointed to the ongoing trial of four people over an assault on transvestite and transsexual prostitutes in Ankara's Eryaman suburb in 2006, which left several seriously injured. The victims were attacked by young men wielding sticks and knives who were allegedly encouraged by local authorities and property developers; their flats were ransacked and they were eventually forced to flee the neighbourhood.
The activists are optimist, in spite of adversity: "We know things cannot change overnight. But there is progress already and we will continue to fight", said Kilickaya.
