Trans doctor cruelly struck off for wearing a bikini to the beach
Dr Larin Kayataş, a trans doctor in Turkey, was struck off for posting photos in a bikini. (Twitter/ askolandin)
A trans doctor in Turkey has been struck off and accused of “disturbing public morality” for wearing a bikini to the beach.
According to Bianet, shortly after Dr Larin Kayataş began working at Taksim Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, she was reported by a nurse, who filed a complaint to the Presidential Communication Center (CIMER).
The complaint was reportedly related to a series of photos Kayataş had posted on social media of her wearing a bikini at the beach.
She said: “I was suspended for three months upon the complaint of the nurse. I was away from my profession for three months.
“When I returned… I answered unnecessary, ridiculous questions in my defence. That process was hard for me.”
Kayataş, who has experienced discrimination throughout her career, added: “They now say that I can no longer do my job where I have managed to exist after all these hardships. How can I accept it?”
The trans doctor said she was also questioned about social media posts in which encouraged her followers to vote for the opposition party CHP.
She tweeted: “Since when is it considered a crime to state that you vote for the CHP in this country and [since when does it] prevent you from working as a doctor?”
CIMER has not publicly given a reason for striking off Kayataş, who said that she has a legal team, and will be challenging her dismissal.
Trans doctor Larin Kayataş insisted that what happened to her could ‘happen to a woman wearing shorts tomorrow’
Larin Kayataş has received huge support from Turkey’s LGBT+ community, which has been subjected to increasing violence and discrimination under anti-LGBT+ president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In a message to her supporters, Kayataş said: “I have received nice support from the public… I would also like to say this: We must protect private life without any exceptions.
“What is done today can happen to a woman wearing shorts tomorrow. Other women may face pressure because they wear vests or tank tops.
“We need to stand up against such pressure indiscriminately.”
