How a student-led group became Turkey's first legally registered LGBTQ rights organization in 2005
In short: Founded in 1994 by Ankara University students, KAOS GL evolved from a small discussion circle into a cornerstone of Turkish civil society. Despite facing legal challenges and attempts to shut them down for alleged immorality, the organization secured its status as a registered NGO and continues to advocate for human rights.
The origins of KAOS GL trace back to 1994, when students at Ankara University, including Yasemin Öz, began meeting to discuss LGBTIQ issues. This initiative eventually grew into the Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association. The organization operates the KAOS Cultural Center in Ankara, which serves as a hub for cultural activities, film screenings, and a library dedicated to preserving LGBTQ history in Turkey. Since its inception, the group has also maintained a quarterly journal to disseminate its research and advocacy.
The path to legal recognition was fraught with institutional resistance. In July 2005, the organization applied for formal association status with the Ministry of the Interior. The deputy governor of Ankara, Selahattin Ekremoğlu, challenged this application by petitioning a court to dissolve the group, citing articles 56 and 4721 of the Turkish Civil Code, which prohibit organizations deemed contrary to law and morality. This move drew international condemnation from groups like Human Rights Watch. However, in October 2005, prosecutor Kursat Kayral rejected the petition, ruling that homosexuality could not be equated with immorality, thereby allowing KAOS GL to become the first legally registered LGBT organization in Turkey.
Beyond legal battles, KAOS GL has been instrumental in organizing public demonstrations, such as the annual March against Homophobia and Transphobia, which began in 2003. The organization also hosts international anti-homophobia meetings, which expanded from a four-day event in 2006 to a multi-city initiative by 2009. Despite these achievements, the group remains under pressure; in 2026, police detained 21 people, including members of the board of directors, as part of an ongoing investigation. The organization continues to frame its mission within the broader context of social justice and human rights in Turkey, asserting that the responsibility for peace and equality rests with civil society.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: KAOS GL
- Also: Wikidata — KAOS GL · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Kaos GL v. Turkey · CC0
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