Turkey's transsexuals popular on TV but not at home

By Simon Akam, Reuters
March 25, 2010

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/TURKEY+TRANSSEXUALS/2726659/story.html

ISTANBUL - Singer Bulent Ersoy is renowned for her elaborate wardrobe, formidable decolletage, countless albums, a stint on Turkey's most popular TV talent show and a spin-off film career. She was also born a man.

The transsexual Ersoy — and a host of other ambiguously sexed entertainers — have achieved success despite the conservatism of Turkish society and the prejudice that faces the country's gay and transgender communities.