Turkey’s Family Minister Göktaş targets LGBTI+s

“We will lead a global mobilization”

Speaking at the 3rd International Family Symposium, Turkey’s Family Minister Göktaş used the term ““gender neutralization” to target LGBTI+s. She said, “We will develop efforts to counter risks that threaten the family structure.”

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş gave the opening speech at the 3rd International Family Symposium, organized under the theme “Being a Family in the 21st Century” by the Istanbul Family Foundation — a known supporter of anti-LGBTI+ hate marches.

Using the term “gender neutralization” in her speech, minister directly targeted LGBTI+s. Once again claiming that the family is under threat, Göktaş said: “Gender neutralization, individualization, the weakening of social bonds due to digitalization, and the transformation of the family structure are no longer just personal matters. They are problems that concern the future of our country.”

Tying her speech to concerns about fertility rates, Göktaş continued:

“We are a country proud of our young and dynamic population. However, in recent years, there has been a serious decline in the proportion of young people both in the world and in our country. We also see a similar decline in birth rates. Our fertility rate has dropped to 1.48 — the lowest in our country’s history. This figure is well below the replacement level of 2.1. This situation affects everything from economic growth to social structure, from production to health.”

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