Local district in Turkey bans Pride Week to ensure 'peace and security'

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The District Governorship of Datça, located in Turkey's most southwestern point, has declared a prohibition on all scheduled events as part of the annual Pride Week celebrations.

The ban will remain in effect for a duration of 10 days. Last year, a comparable ban lasting for 30 days was enforced during Pride Week.

"Effective from June 12, 2023, for a period of 10 days, various activities such as cinema screenings, visual presentations, theater performances, panel discussions, talks, exhibitions, marches, and press statements, organized by various civil society organizations under the name of LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex) and involving social sensitivities and awareness, have been prohibited within the boundaries of our district," the Governorship located in the Muğla province announced, further stating that their actions are in compliance with the provisions of Law No. 5442 and Law No. 2911, which are aimed to uphold peace, security, personal safety and the overall welfare of the public.

Pride Month, detentions, bans

Pride month in Turkey commenced on June 1 with a trial of students who had participated in a prestigious university's Pride march the previous year. Since then, a series of bans and detentions have marked the course of events across the country.

An LGBTI+ tea gathering has been prohibited in İstanbul, Bursa municipality canceled a singer's concert after she addressed violence against the LGBTI+ community during an award event, detentions marred an esteemed university's pride march in Ankara, while anti-LGBTI+ posters were hung on campus advocating for the "protection of the family", and in İzmir students where apprehended ahead of a planned Pride picnic. (EMK/WM)