Capturing resilience: Photos from İstanbul's Pride Parade

 Photos: Tuğçe Yılmaz, Wouter Massink, Evrim Kepenek/bianet

In a display of resilience, LGBTI+ activists in İstanbul have outsmarted the authorities for the second weekend in a row. In the face of the police blockades and stringent ID checks at Taksim, the usual site for Pride events, the activists assembled in an undisclosed nearby area, just as they did last week during the Trans Pride March.

Having gathered in the vibrant quarter of Nişantaşı, they unfurled a gigantic rainbow flag on the façade of a multi-storey car park and delivered a powerful statement, expressing their defiance.

Though dozens of individuals were detained eventually, the LGBTI+ community stood strong against the authorities that have banned nearly all Pride Month activities, from tea gatherings to film screenings.

Here is a collection of photos from today's Pride Parade, providing a glimpse into the atmosphere and highlighting their resilience in the face of adversity.

The activists gathered at the Mıstık Park in Nişantaşı, despite large police presence in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, another group of activists unfurled the rainbow flag from the multi-stoyer car park opposite the park where the crowd gathered.

It didn't take the police too long to arrive at the scene, blocking roads in Nişantaşı.

Despite the police presence, the activists walked along the streets of Nişantaşı.

(VK)