Attacks on LGBTI+s at Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır, İstanbul, İzmir

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

"Why are the right to life, which is my most fundamental right, and my freedom, so frightening for people while everyone wants freedom?"

This is how a KaosGL.org correspondent reported the display of a rainbow flag for the first time at Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır in 2008.

At the time, Kaos GL reported this development as "A new day has dawned for homosexuals in Diyarbakır as well, and for the first time, homosexuals from Diyarbakır took to the streets to celebrate Newroz."

After that, almost every year, LGBTI+s have attended Newroz celebrations organizedly. In 2011, LGBTI+ organizations throughout the country attended Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır. according to a report on KaosGL.org, Lambdaistanbul, Kadın Kapısı and İstanbul LGBTT from İstanbul, Morel from Eskişehir, Pembe Hayat and Kaos GL from Ankara, Siyah Pembe Üçgen from İzmir and Hevjin from Diyarbakır were at the Diyarbakır Newroz celebrations with their rainbow flags.

Threats with a knife in Diyarbakır

Fourteen years after the first Newroz in Diyarbakır, LGBTI+s were attacked at the Newroz rally in Diyarbakır today (March 21). A group of men with knives threatened LGBTI+s, who were at the Newroz area with their banners reading "Bê trans jîyan nabe" and "Şer şer e çi jin e çi mêr e."

According to information we received from LGBTI+s on site, the mentioned group threatened them with knives, saying, "You'll remove these or we'll burn them." They also battered a LGBTI+ activist.

The LGBTI+s then had to remove their banners and flags. They were also chased when they were moving elsewhere. After that, they had to leave the rally area.

Xsweşi, a LGBTI+ activist among the attacked people, told KaosGL.org that "I have attended Newroz throughout my life. Ever since I can remember, I've been here and for the first time, I had to leave early. I'm very unhappy."

LGBTI+s were also attacked during Women's Day events in Diyarbakır.

Celebrations in Eskişehir

In the Central Anatolian province of Eskişehir, people gathered in Orman Fidanlığı area and celebrated Newroz despite snowfall and cold weather. Kızıl Okyanus LGBTI+ group attended the celebrations with rainbow and transgender flags.

Harassment in İstanbul

In İstanbul, Newroz was celebrated at the Yenikapı rally area yesterday (March 20). Tens of thousands of people celebrated the fest despite cold weather. LGBTI+s attended the celebrations with rainbow and trans flags. In the name of the İstanbul Labor, Peace and Democracy Platform, Tuğçe Özçelik read out the joint Newroz statement.

"We reject patriarchal policies that attack the right to life of women and LGBTI+s and try to legitimize violence and inequality," said the statement.

However, LGBTI+s faced verbal harassment during the celebrations. LGBTI+ activists explained that happened as follows:

"We were about 10 people. We had one or two rainbow flags and one trans flag. Since the beginning, men had been catcalling us, saying, 'transvestites.' Throughout the demonstration, they tried to take out photos without permission. This was happening constantly. We warned them. Those we warned made fun of us, they did not take us seriously. We were like people whose consent isn't needed.

"When the speakers on the stage said 'LGBTI+,' we ululated. We were harassed again at that moment. We left after we were disturbed. There were those who came and asked us, 'Are you Kurds?'"

Attack against rainbow flag in İzmir

In İzmir, Newroz celebrations were held at the Gündoğdu Square upon the call of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) provincial organization. Along with thousands of people, representatives of various political parties and civil society organizations attended the Newroz demonstration.

LGBTI+s also attended the celebrations with rainbow flags. When they were entering the celebration area, LGBTI+s were harassed by the police and their rainbow flags were stolen. They displayed the flag again but verbal harassment, threats and insults like 'You will bring that flag down' continued.

The people on the stage, without uttering the word LGBTI+, said, "Dear friends, we have different comrades with us. We are in the area with all of our colors. After that, LGBTI+s had to leave the area by ensuring their own security. (YT/EMK/VK)