EPATH Statement on Restrictions in Transgender Healthcare and Legal Recognition in Türkiye
We are expressing our concerns regarding the escalating restrictions on transgender healthcare and legal recognition in Türkiye.
Over the past two years, transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people in Türkiye have faced increasingly restrictive measures affecting access to healthcare, legal recognition, and fundamental rights. These developments coincide with broader political initiatives associated with the declaration of 2025 as the “Year of the Family,” which have been widely criticised by national and international human rights organisations.
Restrictions on Gender-Affirming Care
In June 2025, the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK) issued a decision restricting access to gender-affirming hormone treatments (i.e., testosterone, oestrogen, and GnRH analogues) for individuals under the age of 21. This ban took immediate effect, interrupting treatment for many patients and raising serious concerns about discrimination and equitable access to healthcare. These restrictions also affect adults aged 18 – 20, despite their legal status as autonomous adults under Turkish law. Professional and community organisations have warned that limiting access to medically supervised care may increase psychological distress and drive individuals toward unsafe or unregulated alternatives.
Proposed Legislative Reforms
We are further concerned by proposed legislative reforms that would substantially restrict legal gender recognition and access to gender-affirming healthcare. Reported proposals include:
- Raising the minimum age for legal gender recognition
- Reintroducing requirements linked to infertility or sterilisation
- Expanding judicial oversight of healthcare decisions
- Introducing criminal penalties for healthcare professionals and individuals pursuing gender-affirming interventions
These measures risk criminalising healthcare and personal identity, undermining medical ethics and human rights.
Our Position
We support healthcare that follows evidence-informed clinical guidelines and is individualised. Decisions regarding gender-affirming care should be guided by clinical need, professional standards, and respect for bodily autonomy, not arbitrary age thresholds or political considerations. These principles are reflected in internationally recognised guidance, including the Standards of Care developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
We stand in solidarity with transgender and gender-diverse people, their families, healthcare professionals, and civil society organisations in Türkiye. We call upon policymakers to ensure that healthcare and legal frameworks are informed by scientific evidence, medical ethics, and respect for human rights, dignity, and equality.