'The very existence of LGBTQI people is seen as obscene', Turkish activist says

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Published: 2026-09-14T22:00:15.773Z • Permanent link

Turkish authorities carried out a series of raids on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQ activists on Sunday, arresting at least 60 people in a move described by officials and activists as aimed at boosting traditional family values. The raids were sparked by a recent increase in anti-LGBTQ protests and rallies in Istanbul, where thousands of protesters gathered to condemn the city's LGBTQ community. The protesters, who were largely affiliated with Islamist groups, held banners that read "Death to homosexuals" and "Turkey is a Muslim country." The Turkish government has been under pressure to crack down on the protests and to protect the rights of the country's LGBTQ community, which has faced increasing hostility in recent years.

The raids were carried out by police forces from the Istanbul Metropolitan Police Department, who used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds of protesters. The authorities also detained several LGBTQ activists who were accused of "inciting hatred" against Muslims. The arrests were widely condemned by human rights groups and international organizations, who called on the Turkish government to release the detainees without charge. "We are deeply concerned about the targeting of LGBTQ individuals and groups by the Turkish authorities," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. "This is a clear example of the government's efforts to suppress the rights of marginalized communities.

The arrests come as the Turkish government has faced growing pressure to address the rights of its LGBTQ community. In recent years, the country has seen a surge in anti-LGBTQ protests and rallies, which have been led by Islamist groups. The government has also been criticized for its handling of LGBTQ issues, including the persecution of gay men who have been arrested and imprisoned for "gay propaganda." The raids on Sunday are the latest in a series of crackdowns on the LGBTQ community in Turkey, which has been a hotbed of LGBTQ activism in recent years.

The raids on Sunday have significant implications for the Data Sources domain, which has long been critical of Turkey's human rights record. Companies such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter have all faced criticism for their handling of LGBTQ-related content in Turkey, where the government has been accused of suppressing free speech. The raids on Sunday have also raised concerns about the impact on research communities, which have long been active in Turkey. The country's LGBTQ community has been at the forefront of research on LGBTQ issues, including the effects of persecution on mental health.

The arrests on Sunday have also had a significant impact on the global markets, where investors have been watching the situation closely. The Turkish lira has been volatile in recent months, and the raids on Sunday have raised concerns about the stability of the country's economy. The global financial community has long been concerned about Turkey's human rights record, and the raids on Sunday have only added to those concerns. "We are closely monitoring the situation in Turkey and will be watching for any further developments," said a spokesperson for the International Monetary Fund.

The raids on Sunday are part of a larger pattern of crackdowns on the LGBTQ community in Turkey, which has been a hotbed of LGBTQ activism in recent years. In 2019, the Turkish government passed a law that banned "gay propaganda," which has been used to justify the persecution of LGBTQ individuals. The law has been widely criticized by human rights groups and international organizations, who have accused the government of suppressing free speech. The raids on Sunday are also part of a broader effort by the Turkish government to promote traditional family values, which has been a major point of contention with the country's LGBTQ community.