TURKISH TRANSSEXUAL STAR SPEAKS OUT AGAINST WAR

BULENT'S COURT LOOK INCLUDED "GOLDEN GEM-STUDDED SANDALS AND MATCHING ACCESSORIES".



Turkish singer defiant in court

Bulent Ersoy said she had the right to express her thoughts freely
A popular Turkish singer has defended public statements that Turkey's long conflict with Kurdish rebels needs a solution - not more deaths.

Bulent Ersoy made her comments at a court hearing in Istanbul, after being charged with attempting to turn the public against military service.

The transsexual singer also suggested that if she had a son she would not send him to fight.
If found guilty, she faces up to four-and-a-half years in prison.

Ms Ersoy made her comments about Turkey's powerful military on television last February.
The Turkish army was conducting a major operation against the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq at the time.

Some 40,000 people have died since the conflict with the PKK began in 1984.

Defiant stance

Ms Ersoy arrived at court in her usual, flamboyant style - dressed in white flowing linen, golden gem-studded sandals and matching accessories, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford, who was present at the trial.

MORE: BBC.CO

I'll admit that I'd never heard of Bulent, but did a google search and was surprised to learn that she was considered Turkey's #1 diva who sings classical Ottoman music. Her exquisite make-up in this shot makes her look more like a disco diva.



HERE'S AN AFTER/BEFORE THE SEX CHANGE SHOT



LOVE THIS HAIR!



THEN SHE SORT OF WENT ON A CHER SURGERY ROUTE.



WITH A LITTLE PETE BURNS THROWN IN



AND FINALLY THE MERCILESS MUG SHOT. I GUESS THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF SILICONE IN TURKEY!