Transgender Turkish Doctor Expelled By Health Ministry For Posting Pictures In Bikini

A transgender doctor in Turkey has been expelled by the Turkish Health Ministry from public service for posting a series of bikini pictures on social media. Larin Kayatas said she was given the boot by officials citing her posts were offending public morality.

In her Twitter post last week, the female trans doctor assigned to the Taksim Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul, stated that she had been banned from both her medical profession and from civil service after one of her colleagues filed a complaint with the Presidential Communication Center (CIMER).

Kayatas claims that she has always been targeted at work for years because of her transgender identity that is strongly reflected on her social media posts. Her 53,400 followers have taken to how she has openly featured her lifestyle online, often speaking out on the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community in her country.

According to Duvar English.com, the doctor said that she was suspended from duty for a period of 90 days just one month after assuming her position at the hospital. The Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate launched a disciplinary investigation on Kayatas and was also reprimanded by the Health Ministry. A year after her suspension, she was banned from service on Sept. 13.

In her statement, she said that her colleague “did not see my behaviors and manner befitting the public morality and thought I was not suitable for the profession.”

The Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate had summoned her three times for defense where she was asked why she joined a rally and what she had aimed for when she tweeted, “Give your vote to the [main opposition Republican People's Party] CHP when the elections come?”

Kayatas strongly believes the decision to ban her from service was purely political. She also claimed this was an obvious attempt to discourage Turkey’s LGBTQ+ community from pursuing professional careers.

While calling on her Twitter followers to show solidarity with her, Kayatas said she plans to file a lawsuit challenging the Health Ministry’s ruling on her dismissal. Details and other information surrounding the reason for her dismissal has not been made public by CIMER.

At this time, it is not yet clear if CIMER has responded to her claims of unfair dismissal and if Kayatas’ appeal has made any progress. The government has banned pride events in major cities and had earlier dropped out of an international treaty that prevents violence against women.