homoseksüel

Homoseksüel is a Turkish term used to describe a person who is attracted to members of the same sex. It functions as both an adjective and a noun in everyday language, with the related noun form homoseksüellik. In common usage, gender is not encoded in the word itself, so it covers both men and women; other terms such as gey (gay man) and lezbiyen (lesbian) are also used, along with biseksüel for bisexual individuals.

Etymology and usage: Homoseksüel is a loanword from Western scientific vocabulary, formed from homo- meaning “same” and seksüel meaning “sexual.” It has appeared in Turkish mainly in academic, medical, and media contexts since the modern era. Another widely used term is eşcinsel, literally “same-sex,” which is common in everyday speech but can carry pejorative connotations in some contexts. Both terms coexist, with homoseksüel often preferred in neutral or formal discourse.

Health and social context: In contemporary science and medicine, heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual orientations are regarded as normal variations of human sexuality. Homosexuality is not considered a disorder and does not require treatment. Historically, some nations treated it as a mental illness, but major health organizations now affirm its normalcy. Debates continue in areas such as education, media representation, and human rights, including protections against discrimination and the rights to family recognition.

Legal and cultural context: Legal status for homosexuality varies globally. In many countries same-sex activity is legal, and marriage or civil unions may be recognized in some jurisdictions. In Turkey, same-sex activity is legal, but there is no nationwide recognition of same-sex marriage or civil unions. Social attitudes and public policy differ, with active LGBTQ+ communities and advocacy alongside varying levels of acceptance.