Turkish LGBTQ+ sex workers struggle to survive in housing crisis
Sex worker Nina relies on an apartment in the Turkish city of Istanbul as a relatively safe space to meet clients. But the 29-year-old is worried about making enough to cover the rent after the landlord doubled the price.
As a surge in inflation fuels a housing crisis in Turkey, LGBTQ+ sex workers like Nina say landlords are forcing them to accept huge rent hikes for fear of being evicted.
Nina, who is non-binary and uses the pronouns they and them, worries about how they will pay the increased monthly rent of 8,000 Turkish Lira ($425) on top of rising bills.
Non-binary people do not identify as either male or female. “There are gas, electricity, water, internet, phone bills,” Nina, who asked to be identified by their first name only, said as they sipped a coffee at a cafe in the gay quarter of Taksim. “I have to work all the time without taking a break, just to pay these.
