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Brutal arrests at Istanbul Pride: Police strike!
In Istanbul on June 30, 2025, at least 50 people were arrested at a Pride parade, including lawyers and journalists.
Brutal arrests at Istanbul Pride: Police strike!
In Istanbul on Sunday, efforts to increase the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community once again suffered a severe setback. At least 54 people were arrested at the Pride parade, which has faced opposition in the country for years. Among those arrested are lawyers and journalists who advocated for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. The Turkish Lawyers Association CHD reported brutal police actions during the arrests, and the entire event was accompanied by a heavy police presence. As had already been announced in advance by Governor Davut Gül, calls for demonstrations by “fringe groups” were seen as a threat to social peace and the moral values of society, which led to a large police operation. In southern Thuringia reports that those arrested will be questioned on the same day.
Police intimidation
The situation for the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey has become noticeably worse in recent years. Istanbul Pride has been regularly broken up by police operations for over ten years. According to LGBTQ+ rights organization Kaos GL, police said they have taken more than 50 people into custody, including several lawyers and journalists. According to Kaos GL's Yıldız Tar, seven of those arrested were released on Sunday evening, while the remaining 47 remained in custody. The time mentioned that the organizers had difficulties organizing a larger gathering this year; The venue had to be changed several times and several metro stations in the area were closed.
A changing climate for LGBTQ+
The repressive measures against the Pride parade are part of a larger trend that is shaping social sentiment towards the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey. After the 2023 elections, pressure and public demonization of the community have intensified again. Various political actors and media show little or no interest in proactively advocating for the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Turkish President Erdoğan has repeatedly pursued an anti-LGBT agenda during his time in office, which has also been actively used to mobilize conservative voters. The Federal Agency for Civic Education notes that this development has not only taken place since the 2023 elections, but has been observed since 2010.
It is not new that Turkey under Erdoğan is showing a dark side of the liberal reforms of the 2000s, in which homosexuality is legal, but there is massive oppression and discrimination against LGBTQ+ rights. Although LGBTQ+ organizations continue to be active and hold protests, many activists fear further restrictions on their rights under the new government. A possible constitutional change is also being discussed that could define marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman.
outlook
The future remains uncertain for the LGBTQ+ community in Istanbul. Despite the repressive policies and the many obstacles, there are also encouraging signs of resistance and solidarity. Initiatives and organizations continue to fight for equality and acceptance. It is to be hoped that society will realize how important it is to hear and support these voices in order to create an open and inclusive society for all.