Pride Parade Question to Vice Prime Minister Canikli

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Vice Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli has answered the questions of the journalists following the Council of Ministers meeting.

The Reuters correspondent asked Canikli the question “Will the pride parade of the homosexuals be permitted? If it is, will further security measures be taken following the Orlando attack?”

Canikli’s response is as follows:

“Of course there are some criteria for such permissions to be granted. I am speaking from the point of authorities who will exercise power. It will be permitted if it is fine with the authorities. We can’t know it but necessary security measures will be taken if it is permitted”.

İstanbul 14th Pride Parade Approaching

Pride Week was first celebrated in Turkey under the name of “Sexual Freedom Week” in 1993. Nevertheless, the activities couldn’t be actualized due to the governorship not permitting and the guests coming from abroad being deported.

Following the prohibitions, demands and the social support of the movement has strengthened and the first İstanbul Pride Parade was held in 2003, 10 years later than the Pride Week was started to be held. As many as 100,000 people reportedly participated the İstanbul Pride Parade in 2013. In 2015, 13th Pride Parade was unexpectedly interfered by police. Police attacked on the activists with gas, water and plastic bullets. Pride Week Committee filed complaint against then Minister of Interior, Sebahattin Öztürk and İstanbul Governor Vasip Şahin over “issue order against law”; and against İstanbul Security Director Selami Altınok over “enforcing the unlawful orders”. The complaint concluded with verdict of non-prosecution.

Pride Parades on June 19 and 26

The 7th Trans Pride Week to be held in İstanbul will end with the Trans Pride Parade that will start in front of the French Embassy on İstiklal street on June 19.

The LGBTI Pride Week to be held between the dates of June 20-26 this year will end with the 14th Pride Parade to be held at 5 p.m. on June 26. (ÇT/TK)