A draft law proposed by Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has sparked considerable concern among opposition lawmakers and human rights organisations. The legislation aims to criminalise behaviours that deviate from traditional gender norms, with potential consequences including up to three years’ imprisonment for individuals found guilty of “exhibiting behaviour not in line with traditional gender roles.”
This controversial bill, which has ignited fears of further discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, outlines that individuals who “encourage, praise or promote” actions seen to contravene “biological gender and common morality” could face severe penalties. Notably, the proposed legislation also seeks to impose sentences of up to four years on same-sex couples who conduct symbolic wedding ceremonies, despite same-sex marriage remaining illegal in Turkey.
In addition to these punitive measures, the draft law includes provisions aimed at tightening regulations around gender reassignment. The minimum age for undergoing such procedures may be raised from 18 to 21, alongside requirements for judicial approval and psychological assessments before any transition-related treatments can be initiated.
The ruling party has framed this legislative initiative as a means to protect the “institution of the family,” a central tenet of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s administration. This move has elicited strong reactions from various groups concerned with human rights, as it highlights an ongoing tension in Turkey regarding the treatment and recognition of LGBTQ+ rights and identities.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/02/28/govt-proposes-law-restricting-gender-transition-criminalize-expression-of-lgbtq-identity3/ – This article supports the claim that Turkey’s Justice Ministry has proposed a law to restrict gender transition procedures and criminalize public expression of LGBTQ+ identity, aligning with traditional gender norms and morality.
- https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-write-biological-sex-law-and-criminalise-promotion-lgbtq – This article corroborates the proposed legislation’s aim to introduce prison time for promoting LGBTQ+ rights and conducting same-sex marriage ceremonies, highlighting the government’s stance on traditional family values.
- https://msmagazine.com/2024/10/08/turkey-women-girls/ – This piece provides context on the broader societal and political environment in Turkey, where LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly marginalized, and civil liberties are under pressure from the government.
- https://www.turkishminute.com/2025/02/28/govt-proposes-law-restricting-gender-transition-criminalize-expression-of-lgbtq-identity3/ – It further details the proposed law’s provisions, including raising the age for gender reassignment and requiring judicial approval, which aligns with the government’s efforts to protect traditional family structures.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative does not contain specific dates or references to outdated information. However, it discusses ongoing legislative processes, which suggests it is relatively current.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative to verify.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from a Bulgarian news site, which may not be as widely recognized as major international news outlets like BBC or Reuters. However, it reports on current events and legislative discussions.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Turkey’s draft law align with ongoing political and social tensions in the country, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights. The narrative’s plausibility is high due to its alignment with known political stances and legislative trends.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and plausible, given Turkey’s political climate. However, the source reliability is moderate, and there are no quotes to verify. Further verification from more established sources would enhance confidence in the narrative’s accuracy.
