İstanbul governor bans LGBTI+ Pride March again

As the Pride March has been banned for the seventh consecutive year, LGBTI+s say they will defy the ban and "find one another on the streets."

İstanbul

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The İstanbul Governor's Office has banned the 19th İstanbul LGBTI+ Pride March, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday (June 26) in the city's Asian-side district of Maltepe.

"We are banned again," the İstanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week group said on Twitter. "Our application to the Istanbul Governor's Office ... was rejected today. The reason for the ban is the same crap."

In a written statement, the Governor's Office cited several reasons for the ban, including the prevention of acts of violence and terrorism and the protection of public order, security, general health and general morality.

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The Pride March has not been permitted in the city since 2014. Yet the organizers said they will defy the ban to "find each other on the streets."

"They will not be able to prevent the LGBTI+ from coming together and being visible with the ban decisions we have changed for years and published with the same sentences," they said. "On June 26, we will find each other on the streets and celebrate our honor."

They will not be able to prevent the LGBTI+ from coming together and being visible with the ban decisions we have changed for years and published with the same sentences. On June 26, we will find each other on the streets and celebrate our honor.
#pride #Pride2021
— İstanbul LGBTİ+ Onur Haftası (@istanbulpride) June 24, 2021