LGBTI+ activists unfurl rainbow flags in Ankara against bans

Photo: ÜniKuir

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LGBTI+ activists in Ankara, the capital, hung a rainbow flag at an underpass in the Çankaya district to mark the Pride Week in the city. The move comes in the face of nationwide bans on pride events in Turkey.

Activists had previously displayed a vibrant rainbow flag on an overpass near Middle East Technical University (METU) on Monday, showing their determination to celebrate and advocate for LGBTI+ rights.

Activists in Ankara will hold various events to mark the Pride Week. https://www.instagram.com/ankara.onuryuruyusu/

In a series of creative protests, activists have been defying the prohibitions and making their voices heard. Last month, İstanbul's iconic landmarks, including the Galata Tower and the Bosphorus Bridge, were adorned with impressive rainbow flags and Pride messages.

Also, to overcome the heavy police presence and restrictions in the usual gathering place of Taksim, activists in İstanbul creatively gathered in undisclosed locations near the area during the Trans Pride March and Pride March lat month.

These acts of defiance have come amid increased pressures and obstacles faced by LGBTI+ events in recent years. Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently condemned the bans, labeling them as "flagrant" violations of basic rights. (TY/VK)