Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

Trans woman Helin spends time at her home on Bornova Street in the Alsancak neighborhood of Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. Bornova Street, located in the Konak district, is known as a densely inhabited area for transgender individuals, many of whom face mounting hostility amid an increasingly repressive climate for LGBTQ+ communities in Turkey. Residents report frequent harassment and violence, including raids and intimidation by both civilians and police. In a recent crackdown, authorities issued sealing orders for 14 apartments on the street, officially citing the fight against prostitution. However, activists argue that the move reflects a broader pattern of discrimination and systematic pressure, particularly during what the government has labeled the “Year of the Family.” In this atmosphere of fear and marginalization, trans women like Helin strive to maintain daily life and dignity within a community targeted by both social stigma and institutional hostility. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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  • ILEA004621688
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  • 2025/7/27 00:00:00
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  • Abaca Press / Kyodo News Images
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  • Middle East Images/ABACA
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    Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

    Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

    Cigdem, a trans woman, shows the injury she sustained after surviving a violent assault by a man, revealing that part of her skull is missing, at her residence on Bornova Street in Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. She now requires ongoing medical care. Bornova Street, in the Alsancak neighborhood of the Konak district, is home to a significant transgender community increasingly targeted by violence and systemic discrimination. Residents report assaults not only from civilians committing hate crimes but also from law enforcement. A sealing order recently issued for 14 apartments, officially under the pretext of combating prostitution, has further displaced vulnerable individuals. These actions come during what the Turkish government calls the “Year of the Family,” a period that LGBTQ+ advocates say has coincided with heightened repression. Cigdem’s case exemplifies the physical danger and institutional neglect faced by trans women living in marginalization and fear. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM
      Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

      Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

      Trans woman Helin spends time at her home on Bornova Street in the Alsancak neighborhood of Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. Bornova Street, located in the Konak district, is known as a densely inhabited area for transgender individuals, many of whom face mounting hostility amid an increasingly repressive climate for LGBTQ+ communities in Turkey. Residents report frequent harassment and violence, including raids and intimidation by both civilians and police. In a recent crackdown, authorities issued sealing orders for 14 apartments on the street, officially citing the fight against prostitution. However, activists argue that the move reflects a broader pattern of discrimination and systematic pressure, particularly during what the government has labeled the “Year of the Family.” In this atmosphere of fear and marginalization, trans women like Helin strive to maintain daily life and dignity within a community targeted by both social stigma and institutional hostility. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM
        Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

        Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

        Trans woman Helin spends time at her home on Bornova Street in the Alsancak neighborhood of Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. Bornova Street, located in the Konak district, is known as a densely inhabited area for transgender individuals, many of whom face mounting hostility amid an increasingly repressive climate for LGBTQ+ communities in Turkey. Residents report frequent harassment and violence, including raids and intimidation by both civilians and police. In a recent crackdown, authorities issued sealing orders for 14 apartments on the street, officially citing the fight against prostitution. However, activists argue that the move reflects a broader pattern of discrimination and systematic pressure, particularly during what the government has labeled the “Year of the Family.” In this atmosphere of fear and marginalization, trans women like Helin strive to maintain daily life and dignity within a community targeted by both social stigma and institutional hostility. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM
          Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

          Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

          Trans women Cigdem (L), Ozlem (C), and Helin (R) speak together outside their home on Bornova Street in Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. Located in the Alsancak neighborhood of the city’s Konak district, Bornova Street is known as a densely populated area for transgender individuals, many of whom face growing hostility amid increasing state and societal pressure on LGBTQ+ communities. Trans women living here report frequent harassment, including physical assaults by civilians and police raids. A recent sealing order targeting 14 apartments has further disrupted lives under the official justification of combating prostitution. The Turkish government’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Family” has coincided with intensified crackdowns on LGBTQ+ visibility and spaces. Despite this climate of fear, Cigdem, Ozlem, and Helin continue to build community and resist marginalization in a city where their identities remain under threat. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM
            Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

            Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

            A house sealed by police is seen on Bornova Street in Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. The property is one of 14 apartments targeted under a sealing order issued by local authorities in the Konak district, officially citing efforts to combat prostitution. However, LGBTQ+ advocates say the crackdown is part of a broader campaign of institutional repression against the transgender community, which is densely concentrated in this area of the Alsancak neighborhood. Trans women living on Bornova Street report increasing levels of harassment, including violence by civilians and police raids, amid a political climate that has grown more hostile since the government designated 2025 as the “Year of the Family.” The sealing orders have forced many from their homes, deepening fears of displacement and discrimination in a city where safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals are rapidly shrinking. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM
              Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

              Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

              Cigdem, a trans woman, shows the injury she sustained after surviving a violent assault by a man, revealing that part of her skull is missing, at her residence on Bornova Street in Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. She now requires ongoing medical care. Bornova Street, in the Alsancak neighborhood of the Konak district, is home to a significant transgender community increasingly targeted by violence and systemic discrimination. Residents report assaults not only from civilians committing hate crimes but also from law enforcement. A sealing order recently issued for 14 apartments, officially under the pretext of combating prostitution, has further displaced vulnerable individuals. These actions come during what the Turkish government calls the “Year of the Family,” a period that LGBTQ+ advocates say has coincided with heightened repression. Cigdem’s case exemplifies the physical danger and institutional neglect faced by trans women living in marginalization and fear. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM
                Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

                Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

                Trans women Cigdem (L), Ozlem (C), and Helin (R) speak together outside their home on Bornova Street in Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. Located in the Alsancak neighborhood of the city’s Konak district, Bornova Street is known as a densely populated area for transgender individuals, many of whom face growing hostility amid increasing state and societal pressure on LGBTQ+ communities. Trans women living here report frequent harassment, including physical assaults by civilians and police raids. A recent sealing order targeting 14 apartments has further disrupted lives under the official justification of combating prostitution. The Turkish government’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Family” has coincided with intensified crackdowns on LGBTQ+ visibility and spaces. Despite this climate of fear, Cigdem, Ozlem, and Helin continue to build community and resist marginalization in a city where their identities remain under threat. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM
                  Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

                  Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

                  A café on Bornova Street is seen in Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. Situated in the Alsancak neighborhood of the city’s Konak district, Bornova Street is home to a large transgender community that faces increasing marginalization amid growing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in the country. Once a space of refuge and social connection, local cafés now exist under the shadow of police surveillance and community-wide fear. In recent weeks, authorities have issued sealing orders for 14 apartments in the area, citing efforts to combat prostitution. Activists argue the crackdown is part of a wider campaign targeting LGBTQ+ individuals during what the government has declared the “Year of the Family.” For many trans residents, public places like cafés remain vital yet vulnerable spaces for community, resilience, and visibility in an increasingly hostile environment. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM
                    Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

                    Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

                    Trans woman Helin spends time at her home on Bornova Street in the Alsancak neighborhood of Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. Bornova Street, located in the Konak district, is known as a densely inhabited area for transgender individuals, many of whom face mounting hostility amid an increasingly repressive climate for LGBTQ+ communities in Turkey. Residents report frequent harassment and violence, including raids and intimidation by both civilians and police. In a recent crackdown, authorities issued sealing orders for 14 apartments on the street, officially citing the fight against prostitution. However, activists argue that the move reflects a broader pattern of discrimination and systematic pressure, particularly during what the government has labeled the “Year of the Family.” In this atmosphere of fear and marginalization, trans women like Helin strive to maintain daily life and dignity within a community targeted by both social stigma and institutional hostility. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM
                      Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

                      Trans Woman Finds Shelter Amid Crackdown - Turkey

                      Trans women Cigdem (L), Ozlem (C), and Helin (R) speak together outside their home on Bornova Street in Izmir, Turkey, on July 27, 2025. Located in the Alsancak neighborhood of the city’s Konak district, Bornova Street is known as a densely populated area for transgender individuals, many of whom face growing hostility amid increasing state and societal pressure on LGBTQ+ communities. Trans women living here report frequent harassment, including physical assaults by civilians and police raids. A recent sealing order targeting 14 apartments has further disrupted lives under the official justification of combating prostitution. The Turkish government’s declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Family” has coincided with intensified crackdowns on LGBTQ+ visibility and spaces. Despite this climate of fear, Cigdem, Ozlem, and Helin continue to build community and resist marginalization in a city where their identities remain under threat. Photo by Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM