Istanbul’s LGBTQ community once again showcased their resilience and defiance in the face of government repression by celebrating Pride despite an official ban and a wave of arrests. On Sunday, Turkish authorities detained at least 15 individuals and shut down key areas of the city, including Taksim Square and Istikial Avenue, to prevent the annual Pride parade. Undeterred, the organizers shifted the event from the European side of Istanbul to the Suadiye neighborhood on the Asian side, allowing participants to celebrate without interference.
In a bold statement, Istanbul Pride criticized the government’s attempts to suppress the event. “Today, you closed down Istikial, blocked all roads and squares leading to it. You halted life in a whole city,” they declared. The LGBTQ community’s determination was evident as they partied until dawn and organized impromptu gatherings on the streets. The movement between continents was both a practical response to police actions and a symbolic act of resistance.
The Turkish government, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has intensified its crackdown on LGBTQ rights in recent years. Since 2013, Pride celebrations in Istanbul have been banned, with authorities citing safety concerns. However, the LGBTQ community has consistently defied these bans, resulting in frequent clashes with the police. Last year, over 100 participants were detained, and in 2022, more than 350 were arrested for defying the ban.
Despite the ongoing repression, activists remain steadfast in their commitment to visibility and equality. “Know this, 12th President, who made us a target in his victory speech: your organized family gatherings, your divisive politics won’t work on us,” stated Istanbul Pride. The group’s defiance underscores the broader struggle for LGBTQ rights in Turkey, where activists continue to fight against government policies that seek to marginalize and silence them.