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IN PHOTOS: Turkey police detain dozens during pro-LGBTQ rally in Istanbul

Updated On: 15 September, 2026 08:18 PM IST | Divya Nair

Turkish police detained dozens of protesters during a pro-LGBTQ rally outside Istanbul's Caglayan courthouse, with two journalists among those held, as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on LGBTQ activists and supporters. PICS and TEXT/AFP

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Turkish police escort arrested protesters into a bus during a demonstration outside Istanbul's courthouse to protest over the arrest and growing targeting of LGBTQ activists, in Istanbul on Tuesday. PIC/AFP
Turkish police escort arrested protesters into a bus during a demonstration outside Istanbul's courthouse to protest over the arrest and growing targeting of LGBTQ activists, in Istanbul on Tuesday. PIC/AFP
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The demonstration followed sweeping nationwide raids at the weekend in which police arrested dozens of people as part of what the government says is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "Decade of the Family" initiative
The demonstration followed sweeping nationwide raids at the weekend in which police arrested dozens of people as part of what the government says is President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "Decade of the Family" initiative
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Turkey's LGBTQ community has increasingly come under pressure from the authorities, with Erdogan describing it as a "deviant movement" of "perverts"
Turkey's LGBTQ community has increasingly come under pressure from the authorities, with Erdogan describing it as a "deviant movement" of "perverts"
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Two journalists, one working for the BirGun daily and the other for Germany's ARD television, were among those detained, the Turkish Journalists' Union said
Two journalists, one working for the BirGun daily and the other for Germany's ARD television, were among those detained, the Turkish Journalists' Union said
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The protesters had gathered outside Istanbul's main Caglayan courthouse under heavy police surveillance, chanting: "Long live the struggle for freedom!", "Free those detained immediately!" and "Despite hatred, long live life!"
The protesters had gathered outside Istanbul's main Caglayan courthouse under heavy police surveillance, chanting: "Long live the struggle for freedom!", "Free those detained immediately!" and "Despite hatred, long live life!"
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On September 13, Turkish police arrested dozens of people in gay bars and at the homes of LGBTQ activists on charges of "obscenity", "assisting prostitution", and having "financial links abroad". Authorities have blocked social media accounts belonging to human rights defenders and media outlets as part of operations dubbed "My Family Is Safe."
On September 13, Turkish police arrested dozens of people in gay bars and at the homes of LGBTQ activists on charges of "obscenity", "assisting prostitution", and having "financial links abroad". Authorities have blocked social media accounts belonging to human rights defenders and media outlets as part of operations dubbed "My Family Is Safe."

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