17 Mayıs Association was established on September 2, 2019 in Ankara aiming to strengthen the LGBTI+ community and activism.

17 Mayıs Association carries out scientific, cultural, social, artistic and educational activities to combat all kinds of discrimination at the individual or social level based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, as well as carrying out social work, advocacy, awareness and human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting activities. The association aims to contribute to the construction of an equal and free society. With this goal in mind, it continues to work in 3 main programs titled Empowerment, Capacity Building and Advocacy.

As of August 2021, it has started the Wellbeing Program.  The program is designed to increase the well-being of LGBTI+ activists and institutions. It aims to increase the state of well-being with individual and institutional support, to highlight the issue of well-being in the institution where the activists work. The program strengthens LGBTI+ Human Rights Defenders against the discrimination and violence that they are systematically exposed to with the other activities.

In addition to these it is aimed to make the internal procedures of the 17 May Association equal, inclusive and bring the issue of well-being to the agenda. Connected with this mission, the 17 Mayıs Association has created the following policy documents:

• Main Policy on Gender Equality Embedding and Disseminating Approach in Plans and Programs
• Violence Monitoring and Prevention Policy Document
• Principles of No-Experimental Purchasing
• Environmental Policy
• Zero Waste Policy
• Mobbing Prevention Document
• Organizational Well-being Policy Document

All the above-mentioned policy documents are implemented in parallel with the Human Resources Management Standards and Administrative Procedures Document. Each policy text includes volunteers, interns and consultants, in addition to 17 Mayıs employees and the board of directors. 17 Mayıs Association has an understanding of equal pay for equivalent work in its policies. The association has also introduced additional regulations regarding leave for employee well-being. In this context; menstrual leave, accompanying leave, bereavement leave, child leave (including pets), family leave (including partners), leave practices for employees using hormones and working conditions that can be adjusted according to menopause status have been established. The association also considers the aging processes of employees.

Additionally, Kaos GL provides leaves and flexible working conditions in order to support the professional development of its employees. March 8, March 21, May 17, November 20, November 25 are administrative holidays. Based on these policies, the 17 Mayıs Association, within the association during the year; organizes in-house trainings, well-being activities, non-violence trainings, well-being workshops, climate workshops and study camps. While the association carries out all its policies and activities, it also extends its work to other organizations and formations that advocate for rights in Turkey and around the world. In this context, it organizes workshops for LGBTI+ organizations, especially on organizational well-being, and continues to work for the human rights movement to put the issue of well-being on its agenda in general.

Website:  https://www.17mayis.org/en/