Even though homosexuality has been legal in Turkey since 1852 it is a very controversial issue in the Islamic state. A coming-out is often followed by social exclusion and discrimination.

Queer Amnesty will present the film «My Child» in context with this year’s international focus. The Turkish documentary portraits seven coming-out stories from the view point of parents of queer children – parents who care very much about the social exclusion and discrimination of their loved ones. After the film there will be a panel discussion, which aims to raise awareness for LGBT issues in (Turkish) families.

Guests on the panel:

H. Metehan Özkan is co-producer and consultant of «My Child». The political scientist is active in the association LISATG (families of LGBT in Istanbul). Currently he is working on a doctoral thesis about this topic.

Ibrahim Can has lived in Cologne since 1979. He works as a travel agent, and after the honour killing of his fiancé Ahmet Yildiz in Turkey, he has actively been campaigning for LGBT rights.

Nimet Ersöz is the mother of a lesbian daughter. She campaigns for LGBT rights in LISATG.

Host: Christina Caprez

Before the panel discussion, the film «My Child» will be screened in the Cinema Stüssihof.