Eylül Cansın
Eylül Cansın (1992 – 5 January 2015) was a 23-year-old Turkish transgender woman who committed suicide by jumping off the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, despite police's attempts to stop her.[1][2] She died on impact.
Shortly before her death, she posted a suicide note video in Turkish to her Facebook account.
Life
Eylül Cansın was born in 1992. According to journalist and activist Michelle Demishevich, Cansın had been exploited by a gang and forced to engage in sex work.[3] She was laid to rest at the Feriköy Cemetery, in Istanbul.[4]
Reactions following her death
Protests in Turkey
Following Eylül Cansın's suicide, protests stating that her death was murder by society were held in several Turkish cities like Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Kocaeli.
The protests brought light to Turkish police brutality and gang violence directed towards trans sex workers. They also brought up social issues such as the low employment ratings for transgender citizens.[5]
The media
Social media was outraged by her suicide and sparked more uproar for international LGBT equality in society.
The Turkish Psychological Association (TPD) expressed concern that Eylül's suicide would spark more suicides in Turkish LGBT youth. They say that it is critical that detailed explanations of the death should be avoided, as it often will become a role model for adolescents and young adults, who are the most inclined to depression and suicidal actions.[6]
See also
References
- "Trans woman ended her life in Istanbul: I couldn't, they didn't let me". Kaos GL. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
- "Bir trans daha öldü". Oda TV. Oda TV. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
- Demishevich, Michelle (21 January 2015). "Avukat Eren Keskin: Köprüdeki polisler intiharı önleyebilirdi". T24 (in Turkish). Retrieved 2 July 2019.
- "Artık yapamıyorum izin vermediler". Milliyet (in Turkish). 2015-01-06. Retrieved 2015-01-12.
- "Eylul Cansin commemorated: Trans suicides are political!". Kaos GL. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- "Turkish Psychologists Association: LGBTI Suicides Are Always A Phenomenon". LGBTI News in Turkey. LGBTI News in Turkey. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.