Gay Muslims in Turkey torn between religion and sexuality
August 10, 2013 - 11:28am
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/792815 "When I was a child, I was told that homosexuals would burn in hell," said Ertugrul, a Muslim fighting for greater freedom for gays in a country where homosexuality remains taboo.
Ertugrul, who did not want to give his last name, is president of the group Muslims and Gays, which he says wants to "break taboos" in Muslim-majority Turkey, where gays are still subject to violence and abuse.
"There are still regions where people kill gays and lesbians to keep the honour of the family intact," he said.
"For religious clerics, homosexuality is a test. If you succumb to temptation, you will go to hell. If you resist, you will be pardoned and go to heaven," explained the 39-year-old, a practising Muslim.
Homosexuality and transsexuality are not illegal in Turkey but police regularly swoop in, with or without authorisation, on parks, bars or hammams they believe gays frequent to check for prostitution.
People are then taken to police stations where officers check their identities and if they have a criminal record.
Critics say the checks are a way of putting pressure on the gay community.
