One of the most prominent pioneers of Turkish LGBT movement, Ibrahim Eren died in Istanbul on February 23rd, 2019, Saturday.

Ibrahim Eren was also the owner of the now-closed Yesil Bizans which was one of the first gay bar in Istanbul, He also established and owned Aqarius Sauna until 2004. Eren was also a professional tourist guide and he had returned to his original job in recent years. Ironically he died while he was working as a tour guide in the world-wide famous Hagia Sophia Church & Museum, as a result of heart attack.

Gays and Lesbians in 1970’s Turkey

By the end of 1970’s gays and lesbians who had more economic and educational independence began to establish communication with other gays and lesbians.

An important step to establish a gay movement began in the city of Izmir by Ibrahim Eren. During the 70’s he established therapy/ conversation sessions with gays and lesbians of Izmir while he was working at Izmir Environment and Health Organization. But the 1980 military coup shut down this organization with all other NGO’s of Turkey. Ibrahim Eren left the country to escape from harassment. Living in Germany and other European countries, Ibrahim Eren learnt about anti-militarism, green movement and lgbt movements.

1980 – 1986 – Radical Democrat Green Party

1980 military coup crushed the freedom that Turkish people were enjoying since 1961. But this provided an opportunity for gays and lesbians to establish their own movement cause before they didn’t have a choice but joining an existing left movement. Under those circumstances, Ibrahim Eren wanted to establish a party where anti-militarists, greens, gays, lesbians and transgenders can identify themselves. That’s how the idea to establish a Radical Democrat Green Party was born but by 1987 they weren’t able to resolve the issues, therefore they couldn’t establish the party.

1987 – Hunger Strike Against Harassment

Beyoglu and Istiklal Street of Istanbul have always been an important meeting place not only for gays and lesbians but also transgenders as well. By 1987, the police harassment towards transgenders in that district intensified so much, however the media wasn’t interested in what was going on. They preferred not to make comments on these issues.



37 gay and transgenders found the solution to seek help from the Radical Party which was on the process of establishment at the time. They started a hunger strike to protest the harassment towards them. This is the first action taken by the Turkish LGBT community to make their voice heard. Although no substantial success was achieved from the action, it raised attention both internally and internationally. Some successful figures of the time such as Rifat Ilgaz (author) and Turkan Soray (actress) supported their cause.





Sources: ILGA - Turkeygay.Net

Web: TurkeyGay.Net & IstanbulGay.Com & TurkishBathGuide

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