In a display of courage and resilience, more than 60 individuals were detained during Istanbul Pride, where thousands of LGBTQ+ activists and allies gathered to march in the Şişli district.
Pride events in Turkey have faced systematic prohibition since 2015, with events as small as picnics and film screenings targeted for bans during Pride Month. The Istanbul Pride Week Committee reported that over 60 people were apprehended by authorities, as documented by English Bianet.
This wave of arrests follows Amnesty International’s recent warning about the escalating crackdown on LGBTQ+ individuals in Türkiye. Nils Muižnieks, Europe Director at Amnesty International, emphasised the need for the authorities to permit safe and uninterrupted LGBTI Pride Marches in the country rather than subjecting participants to tear gas and rubber bullets.
Despite the ban and the looming threat of oppression, activists bravely took to the streets in the Şişli district, demonstrating their determination to assert their rights. Participants of the Pride event shared their experiences and sentiments on Twitter, highlighting their defiance in the face of adversity. One individual posted, “The governor of Istanbul said that ‘any activity that threatens the institution of the family’ would not be allowed, and the police closed Taksim. But LGBTI+s found a way around and did not give up on the march!”
Another tweet expressed joy in the face of pressure: “Despite all the pressure, thousands of queers marched in Istanbul today. This victory is enough for us. I can cry of happiness.” A third tweet reinforced the unity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community: “Our stories of honour are different from each other, but they are also the same. My heart and soul are in Istanbul today. We were, we are, we will be.”
Prior to the arrests, activists gathered at Mıstık Park in Nişantaşı, where a massive rainbow flag was displayed on a multi-storey car park opposite the park. Passionate speeches were delivered, demanding equality for LGBTQ+ individuals in Turkey. One activist read a statement conveying the anger felt by the queer community towards the state and its law enforcement agencies, emphasising their determination not to be silenced.
The speech also addressed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent victory speech following his re-election, in which he denigrated the LGBTQ+ community, referring to them as a “poison injected into the institution of the family.” In response, protestors at Istanbul Pride firmly rejected Erdoğan’s anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
“We reject this politics of hatred and denial,” declared the activist addressing the crowd. “Despite all the prohibitions, criminalizations, pressures, and attempts to suppress us, we will continue to advocate for a humane life for everyone and persist in democratic living.”
Since its inception in 2003, Istanbul Pride has been a symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility and empowerment. Despite the bans imposed by Turkish authorities in recent years, activists in various cities across the country, including Mersin, Adana, Ankara, and Eskisehir, are determined to proceed with Pride events, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to equality and inclusion.
