“Do You Hear My Voice?”: LGBTIQA+ Solidarity and Resistance in Kahramanmaraş Earthquake in Türkiye through Lubunya Earthquake Solidarity Network

Abstract: People-centered, whole-of-society, and gender-sensitive approaches are increasingly recognized in disaster risk reduction. In contrast, consideration of LGBTIQA+ communities and their experiences in disaster settings still has not been globally mainstreamed and integrated into the existing disaster risk management policies. February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş Earthquake that hit Türkiye provides unique insights regarding the experiences of LGBTIQA+ communities in the aftermath of disasters. Thus, this thesis offers an analysis of the experiences of LGBTIQA+s and how LGBTIQA+s did resist the existing cis-heteronormative disaster risk policies by forming the Lubunya Earthquake Solidarity Network. This research uses qualitative research methods and obtains its data through semi-structured interviews with civil society organization staff, members of the solidarity networks, and LGBTIQA+ activists. This thesis will draw upon Butler’s Queer theory and Spade’s Mutual Aid theory to analyze the collected data. The research contributes significantly to the broader literature on LGBTIQA+ solidarity and resistance in disaster settings, which is considered a new emergent field.