lgbti+s

The package includes provisions that criminalize public expression and promotion of LGBTI+ identities, raise the minimum age for gender reassignment surgeries from 18 to 25, and expand censorship of digital content.

Mabel Matiz, an openly queer singer, could see their latest song banned from music streaming platforms.

"They didn’t fine us, but they documented us. The new law hasn’t even passed yet, but they’re already enforcing it on us," said one trans woman.

Last week, a street in İstanbul’s Beyoğlu district where trans women live was placed under police blockade, and several homes were raided following drone surveillance.

"We will not stand by and watch as young trans and intersex people are pushed into underground health centers and black market drug dealers," 17 groups said in a jonit statement.

A total of 55 individuals, including lawyers and journalists in addition to demonstrators, were taken into custody as police broke up the Pride March.

Being LGBTI+ in Turkey is often an existence caught between invisibility and being a target.

İrfan Değirmenci, a well-known journalist and a member of the Workers' Party of Turkey, was delivering a speech when police broke up the event. The detainees were released after spending the night in custody.

“We have already begun working to continue our publishing. We’ll reconnect with our readers soon, in a renewed format. Long live life, in defiance of censorship!” the group said in response to the ban.

The standard of democracy and human rights is directly proportional to the level of protection of LGBTI+ rights.

According to the report, if Turkey does not take concrete steps to protect the rights of LGBTI+ persons, it may face pressure from the international community and risk isolation.

LGBTI+ activists have called for a boycott of the festival, while organizers said this year’s edition includes fewer sections but more films, and that the removal of the section does not affect the movies being screened.

PLanned legal amendments could introduce the term "biological sex" into the Penal Code.

The governor's office claimed that KuirFest events "exhibit attitudes and behaviors contrary to societal sensitivities and public morality."

The indictment described the Pride Parade as a "so-called pride march."

The Health Ministry has restricted access to HRP medications.

Trans activists gathered to mark TDoR in Beşiktaş were subjected to ID checks by the police.

Authorities had blocked the screening during the 2023 Pride Month.

The ban on the movie led to the cancellation of the MUBI Fest İstanbul last week.

While İstanbul's Kadıköy district's censorship of MUBI Fest İstanbul 2024 has drawn international reactions, this is only the latest in a series of restrictions. Since 2019, the governor's office has been prohibiting even the simplest gatherings for LGBTI+s, including meetings for tea, dancing, and organizing sports tournaments.