| It's as difficult to generalize about Turkey's gay scene, as it is to sum up any aspect of a country that is undergoing a rapid pace of change, practically reinventing itself every decade. Turkish culture is no stranger to man-to-man love, as is proven by 17th century Ottoman poetry in which it was occasionally and unapologetically featured. Turkey is 99% Muslim but has a very different attitude to most other Islamic countries toward lesbian and gay life. It is more progressive and visibly more western. | |
| For many gays, life can be comfortable not because of protective laws or liberal attitudes, but because it's a well-disguised lifestyle interwoven into a culture that allows for easy cover. This is a society with a high level of male/male and female/female camaraderie: Turkish men usually hang out with other men; they touch and caress and walk arm in arm. There are no legal proscriptions against consensual sex between adults 18 and over, no matter what their gender. Police harassment is virtually unknown and gay bashing unheard. | 
|
|
That said, it pays to be discreet. Flamboyant kissing and so on
in public is more likely to draw puzzled stares than derision or violence, but
Turkish society is about as ready for all out displays of same sex affection as
rural America. As a general rule of thumb do as the Turks do: let it all hang out
the minute you enter a bar or club, not before.
We asked Absolute Sultans a travel agent who specialise in gay tours of Turkey to give us an instant guide to the Istanbul gay scene People: Disarmingly friendly and hospitable. Vast mix of over 15 million people housed in an ever- expanding sprawling metropolis. Turks, Armenians, Kurds, Russians, Greeks, large ex pat community, all together in a traditionally tolerant and harmonious set up. Language: Turkish, spoken by around 130 million people. Suffix based language resulting in extremely long and complicated words, syntax totally alien to western ears, almost impossible to learn without living in a large extended Turkish family in the mountains for5 years. Culture: Hugely ancient, dating back to the dawn of civilization. The city holds up a mirror to the rise and fall of several great empires. A plethora of historical sites. Scenically: Asia and Europe separated by the Bosphorus, a massive seaway which magically transforms the city. Style and Shopping: Old traditions compete with the cutting edge and surprisingly chic. Paradoxical religious head scarf wearing combined with figure hugging tee shirts. Men favor skintight pants and shirts and suits for Sunday best. Massive textile industry spawning a huge amount of copy clothes. Armani to Hillfiger, Chanel to Calvin Klein. Street sellers offering aftershaves and perfumes that beg comparison. Good place to increase CD collections. Renowned carpets and leatherwear Entertainment: Downtown is home to hundreds of bars, clubs and discos from the dangerously seedy to the fabulously up market. The city that literally never sleeps. Food: Ranked as one of the top three world cuisines. Gay life: Conservative but evident. Tradition of same gender sex due to old religious segregation of men and women and Mediterranean sexual fluidity. Generally, discretion is the key and mum’s the word. Ever increasing proliferation of venues. Phwoor! Factor: Genetically blessed darkly handsome men with the cutest butts you’ll ever see. Raven-haired sultry and doe eyed women expert in the art of hip swaying. Exploded myths: Not all Turkish men have large appendages. Economy: Roller coaster ride of rampant inflation which makes the dollar king. Climate: Dull and damp winter months with occasional blizzards. April to November generally sunny and hot although sometimes unbearably humid in July and August with temperatures soaring occasionally to 40 C+ Religion: 99% Muslim, but a secular state. Historically tolerant and open minded. Safety: Internationally ranked as one of the safest places in the world. Scams: Single male foreigners being enticed into over priced bars by persuasive hustlers and consequently being forced to buy hostesses tonic water with a shockingly high price tag. | |