Defending the right to peaceful assemblies: the challenges and resilience of Türkiye’s LGBTI+ community

How did you decide to join the Pride March organisation?

I was born and raised in Istanbul, so I was familiar with Pride marches. They fascinated me when I was younger—the sheer scale, with thousands marching for their rights, was amazing. I started as a participant and then became a volunteer for this powerful movement.

What kind of difficulties does the LGBTI+ community face in Türkiye?

The LGBTI+ community in Türkiye is systematically stigmatised by the State. Their goal is to consolidate political power through criminalisation and stereotyping. Some journalists and associations orchestrate homophobic and transphobic campaigns, portraying LGBTI+ individuals as societal threats under the guise of protecting the family. These efforts are often State-sponsored, further isolating the community.

What has changed in Pride marches since your first march in 2018?

Initially, the marches were massive and festive, with thousands marching on the main streets. However, after 2015, police interventions increased, limiting our activities to small streets and eventually confining us to alternative routes. This systematic reduction in space aimed to erase our visibility and push the community back into their homes. Despite these challenges, people continue to come together, maintaining the spirit of the march.

What are your main challenges when organising Pride, especially regarding security?

Organising the Pride March involves navigating a multi-layered state mechanism. The current government’s policies propagate homophobia and transphobia, leading to increased threats each year. LGBTI+ people are criminalised to divert attention from economic crises and other issues. They were even blamed for spreading COVID-19. Ensuring participant safety has become paramount. We have introduced alternative locations and security measures to avoid police interventions.

Can you share a specific event that significantly impacted you or the community?

Last year, during a police blockade, 373 people were detained in one day—a record in Türkiye. The scale of detentions caused a crisis as we scrambled to find enough lawyers. The police exacerbated tensions by contacting families of detained minors, potentially provoking harmful reactions from the most conservative parents.

Given this situation, what do you foresee for the future of the LGBTI+ community in Türkiye, and what will the role of the Pride March be in the future?

I’m hopeful, and this hope is strengthened by the solidarity of my friends and the movement’s history. Despite the worsening conditions our movement has endured for over 30 years, I believe we will eventually gather in the streets again as thousands.

How do you feel about all the oppression faced by the LGBTI+ community?

We are denied equal rights. This affects our right to housing, education, and healthcare. I face confrontations with neighbours and frequent police harassment. Many in our community struggle to access hormone therapy and fundamental health rights or face discrimination in employment and housing. Despite these challenges, the support and resilience within our community keep me hopeful.

Part 1 - Türkiye: “I've been arrested and sent to prison”—a human rights lawyer tells his story

Part 2 - Türkiye: “If I felt unable to make a difference, I would stop”

Part 3 - Türkiye: “We will continue to speak up until our voices are heard”