An evaluation of the social, economic and political problems faced by forced migrants: The case of Iranian LGBTI+ individuals in Denizli

In the heteronormative world, the concept of body has become a more frequently discussed topic recently. Understanding the body, especially exploring human sexuality under the LGBTI+ umbrella concept, has been a critical element. The body has come to not only serve as a physical envelope, but also to represent personal identity and how individuals interact with the world around them. The individual, who expresses himself/herself by adopting different sexual orientations, is caught in a second vortex when he/she becomes unable to explain hıs/her different sexual orientation to the world that he/she was born into and dominated by the patriarchal structure. With this vortex, the individual had to experience being a forced immigrant in a society and culture that he/she did not know. (Individuals, who express themselves by adopting different sexual orientations, are caught in a second vortex when they become unable to explain their different sexual orientation to the world that they were born into and dominated by the patriarchal structure. With this vortex, the individuals had to experience being forced immigrants in a society and culture that they did not know.) This study was carried out to investigate the immigrant experiences in question. The study was carried out to examine how the problems experienced by Iranian LGBTI+ forced immigrants in Denizli are reflected in the fact that they are both LGBTI+ individuals and forced immigrants. With this study conducted with the qualitative study method, the individual experiences of 22 Iranian LGBTI+ forced immigrants living in Denizli were listened to. The individual problems experienced by the interviewed interviewees were conveyed within the framework of their experiences. In-depth interviews with LGBTI+ forced immigrant individuals revealed the social, political and cultural problems that the Iranian LGBTI+ immigrant community faces in Turkish society. In the field research, data was collected on the experiences and thoughts of Iranian LGBTI+ forced immigrants regarding their sexual identities and sexual orientations during their stay in Turkey. Within the scope of this data; The housing, economic, health, public, social and cultural problems they encountered in Denizli were revealed. Considering the contribution of the findings obtained as a result of the research to the literature, constructive policy suggestions were made at the end of the study.