Eskişehir Pride, photo by Nalin Özteki
In Türkiye the LGBTQIAI+ community faces an escalating crackdown on their rights and visibility, yet their resolve remains unshaken. Despite systematic oppression from the Turkish government, Pride events continue to be a powerful act of resistance and resilience.
Izmir Pride, photo by ESP
Since President Erdoğan’s re-election, marked by overtly anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and alliances with conservative factions, the crackdown on Pride events has intensified. This year, activists have faced arrests, bans, and violent police interventions. However, the community’s spirit remains indomitable.
Trans Pride Istanbul, photo by Trans Pride Committee
From peaceful gatherings in Ankara and Istanbul to clashes with police in Izmir and Eskişehir, the struggle for visibility and human rights continues. In June, despite bans and threats, LGBTQIA+ students at Ege University and activists across Türkiye persisted in their fight for recognition and equality.
While the government’s efforts to silence the community grow fiercer, the LGBTQIA+ community’s determination to stand up for their rights only strengthens. Their continued defiance is a testament to their enduring hope and courage in the face of adversity. The fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in Türkiye is far from over, and the world is watching, standing in solidarity with their brave struggle.
You may also like
-
2025 Global and European Pride Calendar: Key Dates and Destinations
Pride celebrations in 2025 promise a vibrant display of unity, diversity, and activism across Europe
-
Sweden’s Eurovision 2025 Entry: KAJ and the Sauna Revolution
Sweden, long known for slick pop and polished choreography at Eurovision, has thrown its rulebook
-
Guinguettes Barc: Where Brussels Parks Get Their Groove (and Their Greens) On!
Launched in 2017 by Brussels Environment, the Guinguettes Barc are seasonal open-air bars and community
-
Lesbian Love Lives Wanted: Are You One of Brussels’ Hidden Heroines?
Julia M. Free’s upcoming VRT-Canvas docu-series, GAY & GREY, aims to shine a long-overdue light
-
Queering the Archive: Fefa Vila and Castillo on Chance, Memory, and Radical Pedagogy
On May 13, 2025, as Brussels begins to hum with Pride energy, a quieter, deeper
English 
French 
Dutch