If you are a foreigner queer or an ally living in Turkey, you may be curious about Turkish words for LGBTQ. There is a growing LGBTQ community in Turkish society, and this makes it a necessity to express understanding and acceptance for the queer community.
And language plays a crucial role in promoting inclusivity. So, in this blog post, you’ll learn common Turkish words and phrases related to LGBTQ culture. Let’s get started!
Is LGBTQ Accepted In Turkey?
LGBTQ acceptance in Turkey is limited and often challenging:
- Legally: Homosexuality is not criminalized in Turkey (unlike in many countries in the Middle East), but there are no anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBTQ+ individuals in employment, housing, or healthcare. Also, same-sex marriage is not legal.
- Socially: While some urban areas like Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara have more visible LGBTQ communities, overall societal attitudes are still largely conservative. There is widespread stigma, and LGBTQ individuals may face harassment, violence, and social pressure.
- Pride Events: Istanbul Pride was held openly until 2014. Since then, it has often been banned or violently suppressed by authorities.
- Media and Censorship: LGBTQ content is often censored, and public figures or media that discuss queer issues critically may face backlash.
So, while there is a resilient and active queer community in Turkey, it often operates under hostile conditions.
Turkish Words For LGBTQ
Here is a list of the most commonly used Turkish words for LGBTQ:
| English | Turkish | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Lesbian | Lezbiyen | A woman who is attracted to other women. |
| Gay | Gey | A person who is attracted to people of the same gender. Commonly used to describe men, but can refer to women as well. |
| Bisexual | Biseksüel | A person who is attracted to both men and women. |
| Transgender | Transseksüel | A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. |
| Sex worker | Seks işçisi | Sex workers refer to people whose work involves sex work in exchange for pay. |
| Queer | Kuir | An umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who are not heterosexual or cisgender. |
| Intersex | İnterseks | A person born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female. |
| Asexual | Aseksüel | A person who does not experience sexual attraction. |
| Non-binary | İkili Cinsiyet Sistemine Uymayan | A person whose gender identity does not fit within the traditional categories of male and female. |
| Pansexual | Panseksüel | A person who is attracted to others regardless of their gender. |
| Cisgender | Sisgender | A person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. |
| Coming Out | Açılma | The process of revealing one’s LGBTQ+ identity to others. |
| Gender Identity | Cinsiyet Kimliği | A person’s internal sense of their own gender, whether male, female, a blend of both, or neither. |
| Gender Expression | Cinsiyet İfadesi | Words used to refer to someone in place of their name are important in respecting gender identity (e.g., he/him, she/her, they/them). |
| Sexual Orientation | Cinsel Yönelim | A person’s physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to others. |
| Homophobia | Homofobi | Dislike or prejudice against homosexual people. |
| Transphobia | Transfobi | Dislike or prejudice against transgender people. |
| Biphobia | Bifobi | Dislike or prejudice against bisexual people. |
| Ally | Destekçi | A person who supports and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and equality, though they do not identify as LGBTQ+ themselves. |
| Drag | Drag | The art of dressing in gender-exaggerated clothing, often for performance. |
| Pronouns | Zamirler | A person who is attracted to people of the same gender. Commonly used to describe men but can refer to women as well. |
Lubunca: The Secret Jargon Of LGBTQ Community In Turkey
Lubunca is a jargon used by Turkish trans women and men when talking among themselves to minimize the reaction of other people and also to protect themselves. At the same time, not only transgender people but also gays, bisexuals, and lesbians use it as well. But only queer people are allowed to use this language among themselves!
Similar LGBTQ jargon develops at different times everywhere, for example, in the UK, the USA, and Japan, but it has common aspects. It is also common in Middle Eastern and Asian countries, where it is less friendly to live for LGBTQ people. Nowadays, the use of LGBTQ jargon is becoming widespread, especially with social media.
Here are the most commonly used Lubunca words used by Turkish queer people:
| English | Turkish |
|---|---|
| Vagina | Happutka |
| Penis | Similya |
| To kiss | Lapuş Yapmak |
| Hotel | Albergo |
| Oral Sex | Süpet |
| To cum | Naşlatmak |
| Lover | Tariz |
| Butt | Minço |
| Feminine | Zırıl |
| To have sex | Koli |
| A masculine gay man | Laço |
| Small penis | Kürdan |
| Average penis | Elvan |
| Big penis | But |
How Do You Say “Queer” In Turkish?
The Turkish word for queer is kuir which refers to all individuals of the LGBTQ community. Eşcinsel is another word used to describe these same-sex love people.
Frequently Asked Questions About LGBTQ In Turkey
1. Is The Turkish Language Gendered?
No, the Turkish language is not gendered. Turkish does not use gendered pronouns or nouns, so there are no grammatical distinctions between male and female.
2. Is Turkey An LGBTQ-Friendly Country?
Turkey is not widely considered an LGBTQ-friendly country. While homosexuality is legal, LGBTQ+ individuals often face social stigma, discrimination, and lack of legal protections. Public acceptance and support vary based on the region, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights continues.
3. What Is The Lubunca Language?
Lubunca is a slang language developed by the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey. It includes unique words and phrases used to communicate privately and create a sense of community and identity.
4. What Is The Turkish Queer Language?
Turkish queer communities, especially in Istanbul, have developed a rich slang-based sublanguage often referred to informally as Lubunca.
Final Words
Learning the Turkish words for LGBTQ can make a big difference in showing support and understanding for the queer community, especially in a country like Turkey.
This post has given you a rundown of key Turkish words For LGBTQ and introduced you to Lubunca, a special Turkish slang language created by the community for safety and connection. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ community or an ally, these words can help you connect and support each other better.
Turkey’s journey towards more acceptance and equality is ongoing, and being aware of these terms is a step in the right direction. Thanks for reading and taking the time to understand these important aspects of Turkish LGBTQ culture! If you want to learn Turkish, check out Ling for free for 7-days! Cancel anytime!
