The woman's lawyer told the press after launching the divorce proceedings at Istanbul's Gaziosmanpaşa Family Court, the husband began to wear make-up and dress in women's clothes two years ago.
The husband allegedly turned violent when his wife tried to discuss the issue with him, said the lawyer. He added that the wife is currently suffering from depression and cannot continue in her marriage. She has filed for divorce and demanded compensation of 200,000 Turkish Lira (around $38,000).
However the husband has filed a counter-suit, alleging that the woman questioned both his gender and fertility.
"His wife implies that my client has a different sexual orientation, attempting to blackmail him with this claim," the husband's lawyer said in a statement, demanding a divorce without compensation.
Turkey is notoriously hostile to the LGBT community and transgender people in particular. Last year Turkish authorities banned the Trans Pride parade in Istanbul, however were defied by the event's organisers.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
