Working with families and relatives of LGBTs: Experience with family groups in Turkey

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Prevailing and persisting heteronormative and cisnormative values, which still prevail and persist in the societal sphere in Turkey, interfere with the processes of self-acceptance for LGBTs, and toughen the process of coming... [ view full abstract ]

Prevailing and persisting heteronormative and cisnormative values, which still prevail and persist in the societal sphere in Turkey, interfere with the processes of self-acceptance for LGBTs, and toughen the process of coming to terms with this situation for their families and relatives. The rate of hate crimes targeting LGBTs seems to increase; 43 trans people have been murdered in the past eight years in Istanbul. These difficulties result in the isolation of these individuals, and increase their risk of experiencing mental and psychological problems. Family relations are considered deeply important in Turkey. Within this context, transgender people of all ages care about their families’ approval, as well as their material and emotional support.

Founded in 2008, LISTAG (Families of LGBT in Istanbul Association) organizes monthly group meetings These meetings aim to enable families and relatives of LGBTs to access correct information, as well as to support them in... [ view full abstract ]

Founded in 2008, LISTAG (Families of LGBT in Istanbul Association) organizes monthly group meetings These meetings aim to enable families and relatives of LGBTs to access correct information, as well as to support them in overcoming the isolation imposed by society, coming to accept their LGBT loved ones as they are, through meeting family members with similar experiences. Volunteer therapists also regularly attend to these meetings. These therapists are members of CETAD (The Association for Sexual Education, Treatment and Research)– an important professional organization that has been providing education in the field of sexuality to mental health professionals in Turkey last 18 years.
Group meetings are held each month in the office of CETAD, which is considered neutral territory by most families. Meetings are only open to LGBT family members and relatives. However, they have been designed as open groups, so that new members may also join.

Since 2008, 81 group meetings were held, with a total of 1195 people attending these meetings. Attendance in meetings has increased every year, especially following the release of the documentary ‘My Child’ (‘Benim... [ view full abstract ]

Since 2008, 81 group meetings were held, with a total of 1195 people attending these meetings. Attendance in meetings has increased every year, especially following the release of the documentary ‘My Child’ (‘Benim Çocuğum’) filmed in 2012. In this documentary, which raised public awareness on this issue, 6 parents – founding members of the association – speak of their own experiences as well as LISTAG’s work.
In 2010, hoping to extend this experience to other cities in Turkey, a training focused on the needs and means of support to families and relatives of LGBTs was provided by CETAD & LISTAG to volunteer therapists in different cities who have earlier received sexual therapy courses in CETAD. Subsequently, regular meetings moderated by expert therapists have been organized in two other large cities – namely Ankara and İzmir – since 2010. Lately, similar experiences followed a similar model in smaller cities. These developments increased accesibility of the family groups in different regions of the country. The increase in number of families attending to these meetings, the rise in public awareness on the difficulties experienced by LGBTs and families promoted efforts for collaboration from LGBT and non-LGBT organizations.

CONCLUSION: In a society where varience in gender and sexuality is brushed under the carpet, never talked about, and even ignored, the only way to normalize LGBT identities is to become more organized and work on raising... [ view full abstract ]

CONCLUSION: In a society where varience in gender and sexuality is brushed under the carpet, never talked about, and even ignored, the only way to normalize LGBT identities is to become more organized and work on raising awareness. Great responsibility falls on mental health professionals in terms of raising awareness in the society and providing the necessary mental support, either individually or in groups. Our experience with the family group meetings suggest that healing is indeed possible. It is planned to continue on-the-job training sessions, as well as keep extending the group work carried out, in order to reach more and more people in the future.

In a society where varience in gender and sexuality is brushed under the carpet, never talked about, and even ignored, the only way to normalize LGBT identities is to become more organized and work on raising awareness. Great... [ view full abstract ]

In a society where varience in gender and sexuality is brushed under the carpet, never talked about, and even ignored, the only way to normalize LGBT identities is to become more organized and work on raising awareness. Great responsibility falls on mental health professionals in terms of raising awareness in the society and providing the necessary mental support, either individually or in groups. Our experience with the family group meetings suggest that healing is indeed possible. It is planned to continue on-the-job training sessions, as well as keep extending the group work carried out, in order to reach more and more people in the future.