Turks reject gays or atheists as neighbours

Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership, but concerns about human rights are one factor frustrating negotiations.

A survey of Turkish attitudes has found that the vast majority would not want to live next to a gay person.

1,579 persons in 41 cities were polled by Bahcesehir University’s Economic and Social Research Centre.

The results show that Turks are generally happy, think their country will join the EU if it meets all the criteria, but do not want to live next door to people with different identities.

33% said they would not want a neighbour from a different religion, while 88% objected to a gay, atheist neighbour or an unmarried couple.

"Turks regard themselves as religious and say religion is important," reported todayszaman.com.
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