In a show of defiance and solidarity, protesters gathered in Istanbul on Sunday for a banned LGBT Pride rally in celebration of Pride Month. Despite the ban by the Istanbul Governor’s Office, demonstrators held flags and waved rainbow flags in the Kadikoy district, calling for an end to discrimination and anti-LGBTQ+ language.
However, Turkish police detained at least 15 protesters after arriving at the scene where participants had dispersed. President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party has prohibited pride marches since 2015, citing security reasons, reflecting a larger trend of government crackdowns on events not aligned with its conservative views.
Despite the obstacles, protesters continue to gather annually in Taksim and Istiklal, challenging the ban and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. In response to the ban, a group of over 100 people gathered in the Suadiye neighborhood, reading statements and displaying pride flags before dispersing.
The continued activism in the face of adversity demonstrates a resilience within the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey, as they navigate restrictions on their rights and strive for visibility and acceptance.