How much can Islamic societies be liberalized? For better or for worse, at least this much :
Turkey is said to have more transvestites per head than anywhere bar Brazil.
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In June Istanbul hosted the country’s biggest gay pride parade, with hundreds of unfazed riot police looking on. The parade featured veiled transvestites protesting against the ban on Islamic-style headscarves at universities. A vocal band of pious women is now fighting discrimination against cross-dressing compatriots. This alliance is just one example of Turkey’s unusual mix of Islam and democracy.
