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2026 Turkish LGBTQ raids

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2026 Turkish LGBTQ raids
Date13 September 2026 (2026-09-13)
Location
Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Aydın and Mersin[1]
Parties

In the early morning of 13 September 2026, prosecutors and courts in Turkey started a crackdown on LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and HIV advocacy groups, arresting 162 people,[1] which then evolved into attacks on journalists and protesters. The government's justification for the crackdowns refers to a controversial policy called "My Family is Safe".[2][3]

Background

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Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who in 2002 spoke out favorably on LGBTQ+ rights,[4] has soured on pro-LGBTQ+ statements for some time. Erdoğan called LGBTQ+ rights a "tool of global dictatorship and against Islam" in 2022,[5] and continued in 2023 that LGBTQ+ rights were "the biggest threat to Turkish families".[6] In January 2025, amid declining birth rates, he declared 2025 the "Year of the Family", which sought to promote traditional Turkish family values and provide financial incentives to families and newlyweds. Erdoğan said that a global LGBTQ+ movement was a threat to traditional family values, arguing that "the target of gender-neutralisation policies, in which LGBT is used as a battering ram, is the family. Criticism of LGBT is immediately silenced; anyone who defends nature and the family is subject to heavy oppression."[7][8]

In May 2025, as part of the Year of the Family, Erdoğan declared a national "Decade of Family and Population" beginning in 2026. During a speech announcing the initiative, he identified the LGBTQ+ movement as "a full-fledged fascism" that "tolerates no differing opinion", and a "threat" to "not only the family but also women, children, and human dignity". He stated that "the fight against LGBT perversion is also a fight for freedom, dignity, and the future of humanity."[9][10][11][12] Prosecutors stated that an investigation had found evidence of minors being "inappropriately influenced" on LGBTQ+ issues.[13]

These initiatives have been used as a legal basis for crackdowns against LGBTQ+ organizations and media, usually via accusations that such materials violate public morality, or are obscene.[14][15][16] Obscenity is not clearly defined in law and same-sex relations are not a crime in Turkey.[17]

Crackdowns

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On the morning of 13 September 2026, police started raiding LGBTQ+ clubs and advocacy groups as well as the homes and workplaces of activists and journalists.[1] At least 162 individuals were arrested,[18] and more than 100 detained in multiple locations including Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir. Amongst those raided was Turkey's longest-running LGBTQ+ advocacy group KAOS GL, and police detained the members of its board of directors.[1] Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced on social media that 13 businesses, 9 associations, and over a hundred suspects had been detained during "'My Family Is Safe' operations" in order to "protect children, the family, and public order".[19][20][21] Gürlek further stated that the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) was looking into financial transactions involving organizations that promote "LGBT issues and immorality".[18]

Footage released by Turkey's Interior Ministry showed police searching filing cabinets, confiscating rainbow flags and escorting people away in handcuffs. The operation also involved raids on nightclubs and the homes of activists. Istanbul prosecutors said authorities seized digital devices, drugs and a firearm during the raids and arrested dozens of people.[1]

Along with the raids that were taking place, Turkish courts issued rulings to block the social media accounts of advocacy groups, human rights organizations, newspapers, and journalists,[22][23][24] including groups such as Amnesty International, along with women's advocacy groups.[25] Emma Sinclair-Webb of Human Rights Watch accused authorities of attempting to smear and criminalise LGBTQ+ advocacy, saying that "we believe (the people arrested) include others not associated with LGBTQ+ groups (detained) for drug and prostitution offences."[1]

Tsunami crackdown on social media

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Since the crackdowns started, the crackdown on social media has transformed into a "blocking tsunami", particularly on X, as the Turkish government has blocked over 1,000 accounts under the operation. These blocks were mostly carried out by Turkish prosecutors and courts, despite the lack of any law specifically targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.[26][27][28][29]

On October 1, a Turkish court ordered the country's major independent news website T24 to be blocked. The court cited "LGBT propaganda" as the reason, despite there being no laws criminalizing it.[30][31] A number of journalism associations and groups, such as the Association of European Journalists and the International Press Institute, released statements criticizing the court decision.[32]

Protests

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On 15 September, demonstrations and protests started outside the Istanbul Courthouse, with heavy police forces surrounding them. Shortly after the rally started to grow, Turkish police intervened in the public rally and detained many pro-LGBTQ+ groups and activists.[33][34][35] On 16 September, Turkish prosecutors and police started making arrests in several cities, such as Mersin and Istanbul, under the "My Family is Safe" operations.[36][37] In İzmir, police teargassed hundreds of protesters.[1] On September 19, 2026, many protesters started demonstrations outside of Turkish embassies across Europe and the United States in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.[38]

Reactions

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Kaos GL called the crackdown "state-led discrimination, politics of fear and the dismantling of civil society".[39] Human rights organisations condemned the raids.[40] The Turkish Medical Association condemned the restrictions on organizations working on HIV/AIDS.[41] New Party leader Özgür Özel called the operations "unconstitutional" and said that the Ministry of Justice should not "disregard the Constitution."[42] The Left Party opposed the raids, and said that "None of us are safe".[43] DEM Party co-chairman Tülay Hatimoğulları has said that "neither families nor others are safe".[44]

The European Union said that they found the raids concerning.[45][46] Nacho Sánchez Amor, the European Parliament's Turkey rapporteur has said that the raids were pushing Turkey to a "darker place".[47][48] Christian Wigand, a spokesman for the European Commission, commented on Turkey's candidacy to join the European Union, stating that Turkey "should promote and ensure respect for the human rights and dignity of all individuals, irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation ... stigmatization and discrimination are contrary to the values of the Union."[45] Germany, France, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and Iceland issued a joint statement of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey.[49]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Michaelson, Ruth (17 September 2026). "Turkey detains dozens in crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists and journalists". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  2. ↑ Hubbard, Ben; Timur, Safak. "Turkey Begins Broad Crackdown on L.G.B.T.Q. Community". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  3. ↑ "Police raids, online censorship target Turkey's LGBTI+ community in new crackdown". Bianet English. Archived from the original on 15 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  4. ↑ "Erdoğan had said, "Gay rights should be guaranteed."". Bianet (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 17 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  5. ↑ "Erdoğan says 'LGBT imposition a global dictatorship tool' against Islam". Bianet English. Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  6. ↑ "President Erdoğan targets LGBTI+ as 'biggest threat against Turkish family'". duvaR English. Archived from the original on 27 July 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  7. ↑ Perry, Sophie (14 January 2025). "Turkey's president attacks 'perverse' LGBTQ+ community". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 26 March 2026. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  8. ↑ "Turkey's Erdoğan launches 'Year of the Family' with an attack on the LGBTQ community". Associated Press. 13 January 2025. Archived from the original on 14 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026 – via NBC News.
  9. ↑ "Türkiye adopts 10-year vision to track population trends, strengthen family policies". Hürriyet Daily News. 27 July 2026. Archived from the original on 28 July 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  10. ↑ "Erdogan launches 'Decade of Family and Population' from 2026 to 2035". TRT World. Archived from the original on 17 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  11. ↑ "Erdoğan targeted LGBTI+ individuals at the International Family Forum and declared the 2026–2035 period as the "Decade of Family and Population"". Kaos GL. 27 May 2025. Archived from the original on 13 August 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  12. ↑ Hubbard, Ben; Timur, Safak (17 May 2026). "Erdogan Wants Turkey to Have More Babies. Few Parents Are Listening". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  13. ↑ "Turkey detains 26 after 'family values' raids on LGBTQ+ groups". The Times of India. 13 September 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 September 2026.
  14. ↑ "RTÜK'ten 4 dijital platforma ceza". DHA | Demirören Haber Ajansı (in Turkish). 13 August 2026. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  15. ↑ Minute, Turkish (7 March 2025). "Turkish broadcasting watchdog declares 2025 'Year of Combatting LGBTQ+ Content'". Turkish Minute. Archived from the original on 17 September 2026. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  16. ↑ "RTÜK fines streaming platforms, orders removal of films over 'anti-family' content". Bianet. 18 September 2025. Archived from the original on 17 April 2026. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  17. ↑ "How Turkey's vague obscenity law is becoming a tool to criminalize LGBTI+ visibility". bianet.org. Retrieved 18 September 2026.
  18. 1 2 Riley, John (16 September 2026). "Turkey Arrests 162 in Nationwide Anti-LGBTQ Raids". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  19. ↑ "Turkish authorities launch crackdown on 2SLGBTQ+ and HIV support groups". CBC News. Archived from the original on 15 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  20. ↑ "Turkish authorities launch anti-LGBTQ raids, detaining dozens". Aljazeera. Archived from the original on 15 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  21. ↑ "Turkey detains dozens in raids of bars, homes in crackdown on LGBTQ community". France24. Archived from the original on 15 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  22. ↑ "Turkey cracks down on LGBTQ+ groups, blocks online accounts". The Japan Times. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  23. ↑ "Turkey: IPI condemns journalist detention, mass account blocking in anti-LGBTQ+ operations". International Press Institute. Archived from the original on 17 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  24. ↑ "More social media accounts blocked after Turkey LGBTQ raids". Courthouse News Service. Archived from the original on 15 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  25. ↑ "Turkey expands X blocking orders to journalists, women's groups amid LGBT crackdown". Turkish minute. Archived from the original on 17 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  26. ↑ "'Tsunami' of Net Restrictions Leaves Turkey's Online Media Fearing for Future". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  27. ↑ "Turkish authorities ordered access blocked to at least 1,270 accounts". Stockholm Center for Freedom. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  28. ↑ "A tsunami of blocking on X: At least 1,270 accounts blocked in one month". DW Türkçe (in Turkish). Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  29. ↑ "Wave of censorship turns into a tsunami: At least 1,270 X accounts blocked in a single month". Cumhuriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  30. ↑ "Journalists decry crackdown after Turkey blocks news site over 'LGBT propaganda'". Reuters. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  31. ↑ "Turkey: Istanbul court shuts down independent news site T24". Federation of European Journalists. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  32. ↑ "13 journalism organizations, including MLSA, react to access block order targeting T24". MLSA Turkey. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  33. ↑ "Turkish police arrest dozens in pro-LGBTQ rights rally". Le Monde. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  34. ↑ "Turkish authorities detain at least 150 at protest over LGBTQ+ arrests". CNN. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  35. ↑ "Turkey arrests dozens in crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists". BBC. Archived from the original on 15 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  36. ↑ "28 more detained in Mersin in the "Ailem Güvende" Operations". Sözcü (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 16 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  37. ↑ "20 more people arrested in the 'Ailem Güvende' operation". Cumhuriyet (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 16 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  38. ↑ "Turkey's LGBT crackdown draws international condemnation, protests". The Washington Post. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  39. ↑ "Why do authoritarian regimes target the LGBTQ+ community?". dw.com. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  40. ↑ "Turkish authorities launch crackdown on LGBTQ+ and HIV support groups". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026 – via PBS News.
  41. ↑ "Turkish Medical Association condemns targeting of health groups in anti-LGBTI+ operations". bianet.org. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  42. ↑ "Özgür Özel spoke about the Ailem Güvende operation targeting LGBTI+ people: "It is the Ministry of Justice disregarding the Constitution."". T24 (in Turkish). Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  43. ↑ "Reaction from the Left Party to the 'Ailem Güvende' operations: 'None of us are safe'". Cumhuriyet (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 15 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  44. ↑ "Reaction from DEM Party co-chair Tülay Hatimoğulları to the 'Ailem Güvende' operations". odaTV (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 17 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  45. 1 2 "EU 'concerned' about Turkey anti-LGBTQ raids". Le Monde. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  46. ↑ "Turkey's rights groups, EU call out LGBTQ+ crackdown". DW news. Archived from the original on 16 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  47. ↑ "Backlash pours in over operation targeting LGBTI+ people: European Parliament Rapporteur Amor warns of a dark path!". Oksijen (in Turkish). Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  48. ↑ "Turkey detains dozens after sweeping raids targeting LGBTQ groups". NBC News. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  49. ↑ "Envoys from 6 European countries join backlash over Turkey's anti-LGBTQ crackdown". Stockholm Center for Freedom. 17 September 2026.
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