Half a Life

Kay Wishoth and Claudia Laszczak's 2005 video documentary profiles five Turkish gays and lesbians. When Ebru, a 22-year old lesbian, came out to her family, her mother had a nervous breakdown; she feels she cannot be an out lesbian as long as she lives in Turkey. Omer, who is very popular among the bear set, cruises in parks and on the internet, unbeknownst to his wife and child. Demet is a MTF trans-activist who has been arrested and tortured by the police repeatedly because of her gender identity. Engin lives with his parents, who believe he's straight, but sneaks out for days at a time to be with his boyfriend. Serder strives to be an out gay activist, but does so with extreme caution.