JINHA

WAN – After the alleged suicide of gay Kurdish LGBTI activist Sinan Akyüz in Turkey's eastern province of Van, groups in the province gathered to condemn homophobia and hate.

Sinan Akyüz, 24, was found dead in the house where he was staying on Monday. He was alleged to have committed suicide. Ah Tamara LGBTI Initiative led a demonstration for Sinan in Feqiyê Teyran Park, in the city of Van. Demonstrators carried signs denouncing homophobia and transphobia, photographs of Sinan rainbow flags and carnations. The group held a five-minute sit-in.

"It's not just his family, but society that is responsible for Sinan's death," said Van LGBTI activist Tuan Tual Bozkurt. "The most fundamental responsible party is the state, and the lack of constitutional rights [for LGBTQI people]." Tuan promised that groups would continue following Sinan's case. They will hold a week of action in Van dedicated to Sinan's memory, starting on June 10.

(ng-gk/zd/mg/cm)