June 28, 2026, 4:04 p.mJune 28, 2026, 4:04 p.m
Activists have sharply criticized the ban on the annual Pride parade in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul. “You cannot silence our voices with repression, nor our slogans with bans,” said the organizers of this year’s Pride, a demonstration for the rights of gay, bisexual, transident and queer people (LGBTQ).
In Istanbul, people are arrested by police as they try to hold a Pride demonstration.Image: keystone
The authorities had previously banned the Pride parade in Istanbul and cordoned off Istanbul’s city center around the well-known Istiklal shopping street. Local public transport was also restricted.
On the Asian side of the city, demonstrators tried to gather anyway, running through the streets whistling, as footage showed. This was immediately stopped by plainclothes police. According to media reports, there were also arrests.
Organizers accused the government of targeting lesbians, gays, transgender and bisexuals instead of taking effective action against crimes such as femicide and rape. You don’t allow yourself to be regulated by bans and hate politics.
Repression is increasing
Government representatives and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeatedly make openly anti-LGBTQ statements. Repressions have increased in recent weeks. Numerous accounts on X that advocate for LGBTQ rights have been suspended.
The queer journalist Yildiz Tar was arrested on Friday. On Saturday, authorities closed a gay bar in Istanbul’s Beyoglu nightlife district, according to the state news agency Anadolu. The reason for this was the violation of legal regulations.
The Pride parade in Istanbul has been banned since 2015, and the authorities usually justify the measure with security concerns. (hkl/sda/dpa)
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