Mehmet Bayram received his degree in social studies and has worked as a volunteer and professional project manager in rights-based non-governmental organizations while also pursuing a degree in sociology. He describes himself as a human rights defender who reports the hate speech of public authorities against minorities using data science.

IVLP Impact Award Project: SELF İNEQUALİTY

Mehmet's project measured the organizing practices of LGBTQ+ activists who are marginalized and exposed to discrimination in Turkey to create an opportunity and space to strengthen the social inclusion practices in LGBTQ+ communities. Through this project, 40 one-on-one interviews were conducted with 40 LGBTQ activists who have been marginalized by state authorities. These interviews provided important data to understand the experiences of LGBTQ individuals experiencing intersectional discrimination and measured their reported levels of freedom of expression. The data from the interviews were shared with six LGBTIQ+ civil society organizations to raise awareness of marginalized LGBTQ groups and their exposure to discrimination within the community. Providing information from the project's interviews, events, and gatherings has already led to positive changes in the way the participating organizations are working and organizing policies.

"I aim to develop minimum governance standards for all so that rights-based non-governmental organizations are more inclusive, more equitable and more transparent. " - Mehmet Bayram

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Mehmet was a participant in the IVLP Project Turkey - LGBTQI+ Activism and Building Civil Society Cooperation organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Office of International Visitors program branch in New York City, World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, Global Ties Arizona and International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles.

Mehmet's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "I had the opportunity to see the work of many LGBTQ organizations on site... [it showed me that] organizations and expression of all LGBTQ+s with inclusive, accountable and rights-based organizations can be provided."

U.S. Communities Visited

Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; Louisville, KY; New York City, NY

Country: Turkey

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