NGO rejects Turkish singer Bülent Ersoy's fur coat donations over animal rights
After receiving the wrath of animal rights activists for purchasing two white fox fur coats, singer Bülent Ersoy announced that she would donate the garments to the Association for the Support of Contemporary Living (ÇYDD). The association however said that it gives utmost importance to animal rights and would not accept such a donation.
Duvar English
Turkish singer Bülent Ersoy, who is renowned for her elaborate wardrobe and formidable décolletage, has announced that she will donate her two newly purchased white fox fur coats to the Association for the Support of Contemporary Living (ÇYDD) after receiving widespread criticism from animal lovers.
Following Ersoy's remarks, the ÇYDD released a statement on social media saying that “it is out of the question for this donation to be accepted.”
Indicating that the ÇYDD gives utmost importance to animal rights, the statement read: “It is out of the question for us to accept items which are attained through a violation of animal rights and accept donations which are acquired through their market values, on behalf of our principles and institutional values.”
Ersoy last week purchased two white fox fur coats, each costing over 40,000 Turkish liras ($5,110). The fur garments were designed using white foxes' heads.
After her purchase invited the wrath of animal rights activists, Ersoy announced that she would donate her coats to the ÇYDD. “I will donate all of my fur garments to the association of [ÇYDD's founder] Ms. Türkan Saylan. I will have a fundraising night organized and I will also go there. Let them sell them through an auction. Quite a lot of money should be raised,” Ersoy said.
Ersoy underwent sex reassignment surgery in 1981 to become a woman. The transsexual singer has achieved success despite the conservatism of Turkish society and the prejudice that faces the country’s gay and transgender communities.