Please note, this episode discusses sensitive topics, including rape and suicide. If you are affected by these issues or find them distressing, please consider this trigger warning before continuing.

In this episode, we delve into the experiences of LGBTIQ+ refugees and asylum seekers in Turkey with our amazing guest, Artemis Akbary. Artemis is not only the Founder and Executive Director of the Afghan LGBT Organisation (ALO), but also an esteemed refugee rights advocate and journalist, who himself sought asylum in two different countries. He is also the Producer and Presenter at Radio Ranginkaman, a media platform for Iranian, Afghan and Tajik LGBTQI communities. The station broadcasts programs on digital platforms but also on shortwave radio and via satellite to reach people in rural areas, especially in Iran and Afghanistan, where the internet is restricted or not accessible. Artemis's advocacy extends to high-level settings, including speaking engagements at the EU Parliament and the United Nations.

Throughout our discussion, we examine Artemis's personal journey of seeking asylum in Iran and Turkey, with a particular focus on the latter. We explore the specific challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ asylum seekers in Turkey, including barriers to healthcare, employment, education, and the widespread issue of discrimination. Artemis also sheds light on the vital efforts of his organisation, the Afghan LGBT Organisation, which provides crucial support to those in need.

Listeners interested in gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding LGBTIQ+ refugee experiences in Turkey, as well as the plight of LGBTIQ+ individuals in Afghanistan, are encouraged to explore Artemis's extensive advocacy work. Visit Artemis Akbary's profile⁠ to dive deeper into his work, activism, and contributions to the field.