Campaign speeches targeting Turkey’s LGBT community during the recent election have left many individuals living in constant fear and considering leaving the country. President Tayyip Erdogan, who emerged as the winner of the vote, repeatedly attacked “perverse” LGBT groups and promised to strengthen traditional family values. This rhetoric has sparked concerns that such intimidation will intensify during Erdogan’s new five-year term, potentially leading to a legal crackdown.
In Turkey, where the discrimination faced by the LGBT community is already palpable, individuals like Bekir, a 21-year-old law student, and his gay partner find themselves living in fear of potential police raids triggered by complaints from their neighbors. The couple, like several others, has been convinced by the relentless discrimination to plan their departure from Turkey. “Fleeing looks like the only solution, which is so upsetting,” lamented Bekir.
During the campaign, Erdogan’s ruling AK Party accused the opposition alliance of being “pro-LGBT.” While the AK Party claims to protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals in Turkey, reports suggest that hatred towards the community has grown significantly since 2015 when the Istanbul Pride parade was banned under the pretext of “security and public concerns.” The increasing government pressure and the sense of danger have compelled more people to leave the country, as observed by Mahmut Seren, a lawyer and LGBT rights defender.
Despite the ban, Sunday’s Pride parades are expected to draw hundreds of participants onto the streets, with detentions anticipated. Activists and community members interviewed by Reuters affirm that discrimination against the LGBT community has never been so intense and open. Instances such as the recent shutdown of a film screening and the detainment of several individuals demonstrate the authorities’ suppression of LGBT-related events. Advocates argue that the campaign rhetoric against the LGBT community amounts to hate speech, and they express concerns about potential legal changes that may criminalize LGBT activism.
Turkey’s civil society also faces the threat of LGBT organizations being closed down. Pro-government media outlets have even labeled some of these organizations as “terrorist groups,” criticizing their funding by the European Union. Amidst this hostile environment, LGBT rights advocate Cuneyt Yilmaz affirms that the community refuses to be silenced. “We are frightened, but we will not leave the streets,” he asserts.
In Turkey, the path forward for the LGBT community remains uncertain as they navigate an increasingly hostile environment. The fears of police raids, legal crackdowns, and intensified discrimination loom large, prompting some individuals to consider leaving their home country. As the community continues to stand up for their rights, their resilience in the face of adversity remains unwavering.