Mabel Matiz, one of Turkey’s most popular musicians in recent years, has been targeted by pro-government circles for being openly queer. The artist, who has been the subject of online hate campaigns by bigots in the past for participating in the Istanbul Pride Parade as well as for his statements on LGBTQ+ rights, has now been brought to the forefront again due to the lyrics to one of his songs.
The timeline of the lynching against openly queer singer Mabel Matiz
- Released a collaboration with Ko Shin Moon titled Perperişan on September 5 – The song was targeted on social media for its lyrics
- The Ministry of Family and Social Services requested that access to the song be restricted on grounds of public order and general health, arguing that the song could undermine family values and harm young people’s mental development
- Following the ban, the singer stated, “This song draws on the tradition of folk literature, telling a love story through metaphors,” adding, “I wish to believe that the public order and our general health are not so fragile that they would be disrupted by a single song.”
- Immediately after this statement, however, the Ministry of Interior filed a complaint against the artist on charges of “obscenity.”
- Nevertheless, digital platforms did not remove the song from their libraries.
Mabel Matiz is the second popular musician targeted by Turkish bigots over the past month, alongside the girl group Manifest.
Mabel Matiz is the second popular musician targeted by Turkish bigots over the past month, alongside the girl group Manifest.
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has imposed fines against five subscription-based digital platforms, and removed certain films from their catalogues. The films and platforms penalized for being “contrary to the national and spiritual values of society, general morality, and the principle of protecting the family” and for being “obscene” are as follows:
• “Cobalt Blue” (Netflix)
• “Those About to Die” (Prime Video)
• “Benedetta” (MUBI)
• “All Of Us Strangers” (Disney XD)
• “Looking: The Movie” (HBO MAX)
Melisa Aydınalp, an activist and model known for her remarkable actions against the government and society’s oppression and policies towards women, has this time marched against the bans and censorship imposed under the pretext of ‘indecency.’
Heavy rains in Artvin and Rize, where nature has been ravaged by hydroelectric power plants and road constructions, caused floods and landslides; bridges collapsed, roads were closed; some villagers were stranded; electricity went out. A reminder that nature always has the final say.
Books published by OBİÇİM, a boutique publisher focusing on LGBT+ authors and their allies, were rejected by D&R—one of Turkey’s largest bookstore chains—and its supplier Prefix, on the grounds of ‘inappropriate content.’ kitapyurdu.com, the most popular online book shopping platform in the country, also did not add the publisher’s books to its system for the same reason.
It has been revealed that at the Cevizlibağ Atatürk KYK Girls’ Dormitory, which was under renovation and failed to open on time for the new academic year, students’ lockers were broken into; belongings were rummaged through and stolen; underwear was thrown away; and harassing notes were left on some items.
Female students shared photos and videos of the situation on social media, while – authorities blamed the students. Subsequently, the ministry announced that the dormitory administrators had been dismissed.
- In a new wave of operations targeting CHP-led municipalities, Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu was arrested.
- Five members of a black metal band were arrested for allegedly insulting religious values.
One of Turkey’s most-watched series in recent years, “Kızılcık Şerbeti,” triggered backlash from conservative groups with the “forbidden love” between two fictional characters.
- The show was requested to be taken off the air due to the relationship between the spouses of two siblings. – – – Chairman of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) stated that action would be taken immediately.
- * The production company promised to “take steps to address the negative criticism.”
- While the censorial mindset prevailed once again, Merve Göntem, one of the screenwriters of the series, was detained over a character she had written years ago. In the said series, a young female character turns to sex work in hopes of climbing up the ranks of society.
Compiled & post by
Bawer
Translated by
Mercan Baş
Thanks to Alican E.
