I’m a 24 year old gay Turkish citizen. In my country the army enforces males who are of age to serve in the military for a minimum of 6 months. This period includes both physical training and military education.
Based on the facts that I am gay, a person who suffers from panic disorder and depression, I do not wish to ever put myself in a situation where my panic attacks can be triggered or based on my sexuality, I could be beaten by other troop members.
There is a way to avoid the army service. So, according to the laws, people of LGBTQA+ community are considered to have a “Psycho-sexual Disorder” and if they prove their “ilness” they can avoid the service. To be able to have this diagnosis you have to see several doctors and visit several hospitals. Going through a lengthy process to obtain that both humiliates the person and outs them to their relatives. This process involves several tests, two committee hearings which involve several psychiatrists and army members being present and one 1st degree family speaking to the doctors. Moreover, it creates problems when a person wants to work later in life, because companies or employers often request a document to make sure you are not an escapee from the army. And this document can out a person, effectively ruining their chances of getting employed considering Homophobia is extraordinarily rampant in Turkey. Above all, at the end of this process a person is left diagnosed “sick”, outted and spiritually tired, their future destroyed.
I dont want to be diagnosed “SICK” because of my sexuality.
Therefore, my only option is to raise money to pay the fee of 15.000 Turkish Liras which roughly makes 3200 dollars to avoid going to the Army. It is called “Military Service by Payment.” When I reach my goal and make the payment, I will post receipts.
Normally, you cannot pay to avoid Army Service. But the government comes up with a payment program every 5 to 10 years to give people a chance to pay a fee to avoid their Army Service.
Call it luck, or Mariah Carey’s skinniness, this year there is a program and I qualify for the age requirement.
The only requirement I do not meet, is the fact that I have no job, even if I did I could not possibly save up that amount of money and I am coming from a poor family.
I cannot buy my freedom from the army because I am a poor person.
Therefore I need the help of allies and my fellow LGBTQA+ members.
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