Turkey’s Stairway to A Democratic Heaven
The crumbling, concrete street stairs in an Istanbul alley have become the latest battleground for the colorful pluralism of society and the “gray” authoritarianism of politicians in Turkey.
It was Aug. 26. After a four-day effort and using almost 40 kilograms of paint, Huseyin Cetinel proudly gazed upon his colorful accomplishment.
With the help of his son-in-law, Cetinel had managed to finish painting all 145 steps of the street stairs that link Findikli district to Cihangir, the bohemian neighborhood in Istanbul.
The 64-year-old Turkish retiree quickly found himself as an accidental hero of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community here.
He painted the stairs like a rainbow, unknowingly creating a giant gay flag. Social media, especially tweets by gays and lesbians who live in Cihangir, was abuzz with this local volunteerism toward beautification.
