Freer than in Russia

Dreg-Klin Miss Flood is a real LGBT movement star in a Muslim country. His life is in the photo station of "cold"

Of all the Muslim states, Türkiye is traditionally one of the most tolerant countries regarding the rights of LGBT Person. Non -public same -sex relations were decriminalized there in the middle of the 19th century - during the Ottoman Empire. Despite the fact that today it is impossible to conclude a gay bride in Turkey, there are no discriminatory laws directed against LGBT Person in the country. At the same time, since the beginning of the first presidential term of the Erdogan, in 2014 and with his homophobic rhetoric, the Istanbul authorities have not been given permission to conduct a gay pride for the ninth year in a row. At the same time, the country is not prohibited by the drag show. About the life of Ilker of Language-Dreg-Klin from Istanbul under the pseudonym Miss Flood -in the photo station "Cold".

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Ankara, who was born and raised in the capital of Turkey, Ilker Language studied in high school when he realized that gay. “Raised in the Middle East, it is very difficult to accept and open yourself,” says Language. - In the beginning, I resisted my nature and felt very lonely. I think, like very many LGBTs. ” The same young gays helped Ilker to accept themselves to Ilker. Still studying at school, he joined several groups engaged in the lawying of the rights of LGBT Person. In their ranks, he repeatedly participated in rallies, expressing his protest of the unspoken policy of the state regarding the rights of the LGBT community.

Since 2003, gay parades have been officially allowed in Turkey, but the last major was held in 2014 in Istanbul. Then, up to 100 thousand people got participants and spectators on the streets of the largest city in the country. In the same year, Recep Erdogan became the president of the country. Since 2015, the authorities in different cities of the country have not coordinated prides under any pretext. Those who still dare to take the streets with rainbow flags in June - the traditional month of pricing around the world, ”the police detained.

Now Ilker Languages ​​is 23 years old and he no longer feels lonely and does not hide. Starting the career of the drag artist five years ago, now inspired by the Rupul's Drag Race reality show (“Royal Rounds of the RUS PALL”), every Friday and Saturday, he enters the stage of the Xlarge's Istanbul club in order not only to arrange a show for spectators. He perceives his speeches as a political act.

“Yes, of course, this is a political act,” says Language. - Probably, some people watch my performances and think “What is this freak doing at all?” I bring up in people tolerance to the fact that they are not used to seeing. That's what I'm doing. "

Speech to the public, assures Languages, are easy for him, but life in Turkey causes more and more concerns. This is the reason for the rhetoric of President Erdogan. During the election campaign of 2023, he more than once in his speeches described LGBT representatives as deviants and assured voters that he would strengthen family values ​​in the country. In September of the same year, Erdogan, speaking at the UN General Assembly, said : “One of the problems that bothers me most of all is that, entering the UN General Assembly, you see LGBT colors on the steps and in other places.”

Ilker Language began his way to the stage in 2019, when he was preparing for entrance exams at the university. One evening, he told his parent that he had forgotten the necessary books in the library and he needs to return to it until closing. Under this pretext, he was able to go to the club and take part in his first drag show. Before leaving the house, he pulled a black blouse decorated with beads from his mother’s wardrobe.

“I cut off my jeans and made short shorts out of them, put on my mother’s blouse, stood on seven -isant silver heels. I had a purple wig on my head, ”recalls Language. “I made a terrible Make, but despite this, when I finished, the audience applauded like crazy.”

The next two years, Ilker participated many times in the drag show, which was arranged throughout the country by the Turkish magazine for gzone gays. During these travels, he collected his stage wardrobe, purchasing in second-hand and in flea markets.

When Miss Flood - the Turkish slang for the word “Vagin” - first went on the stage of the Xlarge Istanbul club, it was no longer a hobby, but a constant work and a means of earnings. As a preparation for the first performance, Language took the month from the dancer from Russia, with whom they performed together.

Now Languages ​​are not just a performer - he is a stage manager, he has 15 people under subordination. “I have a dancing and a stylist who is ready to fulfill any of my desires,” says Language.

Ilker’s conservative father still does not know what the son is doing. Other relatives are aware of his career, but no one dares to tell about this Language Sr. “When I go out onto the stage in the image of a drag-flin with all this make-up, I feel that I put on another person. Miss Network is very confident in herself and is always open to communication. I am not like that in life, ”says Ilker.

He studies industrial design at the University of Marmara in Istanbul, but is thinking of entering the faculty of performing art in one of the universities in Spain. Language intends to perform at the drag show while he "has the strength for it."