The goal of this study was to identify the strategies used by young homosexuals to manage their sexual minority status in Turkey. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 self-identified homosexual university students. The data on the strategies employed by homosexuals suggested a categorization of these strategies into four interrelated areas: strategies employed in the process of self-acceptance; strategies to manage sexual stigma and prejudice; strategies specific to the coming-out process; and the strategies used while openly expressing their sexual identities.

Objective: HIV-related stigma is a devastating problem with severe negative consequences in terms of further spread of the epidemic as well as the health status and social and psychological well-being of people living with HIV. The present study aimed to determine the current situation of HIV-related stigma and discrimination in Turkey. Methods: Data were gathered through the People Living with HIV Stigma Index, which was developed by a group of international organizations and was administered in Turkey in 2011. One hundred people living with HIV including 21 females, 4 transsexual women and 75 men were included in the study using the purposive sampling technique. Results: The rates of HIV-related stigma/discrimination and violation of human rights were 23.1% and 30% respectively. Being gossiped about (69%), being subject to verbal abuse, threats and injury (46%) were the most common forms of stigma. Thirty percent of the participants lost their jobs due to HIV-related stigma and 20% were denied healthcare services because of HIV positivity. Disclosure of HIV status to third parties by healthcare professionals without the consent of the patients appeared as another major problem. The respondents identified the fear of transmission through casual contact due to lack of knowledge on the transmission routes of HIV as the major reason for stigma. The survey also revealed high levels of internalized stigma among the participants. Conclusions: The findings suggested an urgent need to develop national policies for protecting people living with HIV from stigma and discrimination in Turkey. Klimik Dergisi 2017; 30(1): 15-21.

Stigma attached to HIV/AIDS remains a global problem, with severe negative consequences for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Family support is fundamental for PLHIV’s psychological and physical well-being. HIV-related stigma is high in Turkey, where HIV/AIDS prevalence is low and the epidemic is not considered a priority. Based on qualitative data generated with HIV-positive women and men, this article explores the process of stigmatization, as experienced and perceived by PLHIV in Turkey, focusing on the institution of the family. Results indicated that enacted stigma from family members is lower than anticipated. While most participants’ narratives showed patterns of support rather than rejection from families, the strong expectations around the cultural value attributed to “the family” are found to be the main facilitators of internalized stigma. The article critically discusses the meaning and implications of family support, addressing the role of patriarchal values attributed to womanhood, manhood, and sexuality in Turkey.

Türkiye'de yaşayan kadın göçmenlerin sağlık hizmetlerine erişimlerini, insan hakları, sağlık hakkı ve kadın hakları temelinde inceleyen bu araştırmanın temel amacı, Türkiye'ye çeşitli ülkelerden, değişik sebeplerle göç etmiş, farklı göçmenlik statüleri bulunan ve farklı sektörlerde istihdam edilen veya edilmeyen kadınların, sağlık durumları ve mevcut sağlık hizmetlerine erişim düzeylerinin tespit edilmesidir. Bu amaç çerçevesinde konunun öznesi olan göçmen kadınlarla yüz-yüze, yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. 18 farklı ülkeden toplam 41 kadın göçmenle görüşülmüş; verilere NVivo nitel analiz programı vasıtasıyla tematik analiz uygulanmıştır. Araştırma bulgularında, kadınların özellikle dil engeli, haklarını veya kullanma yollarını yeterince bilmeme, sağlık kuruluşlarında karşılaşılan, din, ırk ve cinsiyet temelli olumsuz tutumlar ve sigorta ile ilgili tutarsız uygulamalar gibi sebeplerle sağlık sorunlarını çözmekte sorunlar yaşadığı görülmüştür. Kadın göçmenlerin, kadın olmalarından ötürü yaşadıkları özgül deneyimleri, özellikle kendilerinin yanı sıra çocuk, eş ve ebeveyn gibi aile bireylerinin sağlığı için de çözüm yolları arayan aktörler konumunda olmalarıyla ve cinsel sağlık ve üreme sağlığı hakları bakımından karşılaşılan sorunlarla ilişkilendirilerek ele alınmıştır. Bu noktada göçün toplumsal cinsiyetlendirilmiş boyutu, sağlık hakkı odağında ortaya konmuştur. Bulunan çözüm yolları içerisinde ulus-ötesi ağlar ile sivil toplum desteği tartışılmıştır.