Erdogan's Turkey cracks down on LGBT community in name of preserving family values
Turkish authorities launched an unprecedented crackdown on the country’s LGBT community on Sunday, raiding gay bars and shutting down activist organizations, in what the government said are efforts to protect Turkey’s family values.Since the nationwide crackdowns began, Turkish authorities have arrested and detained some 116 people across 15 provinces in actions against LGBT rights organizations and activists.The Turkish criminal justice system has also launched investigations of more than 160 people, according to Amnesty International.Amnesty International reported that 180 social media accounts belonging to LGBT organizations, activists, journalists and media outlets have been blocked or restricted.TURKEY’S NATO ROLE UNDER SCRUTINY AMID NEW REPORT ON HAMAS, MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD TIESTurkish police detain dozens of LGBT rights protesters in Ankara, on September 15, 2026.
The arrests interrupted a planned pro-LGBT demonstration in the capital a day after detentions of LGBT activists, media organizations, civil society groups and public figures across Turkey. (Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)"This appalling escalation in Türkiye’s crackdown amounts to a full-scale assault on LGBTI rights and those who defend them.The relentless raids, arrests and demonization of LGBTI people under the spurious guise of ‘protecting the families’ demonstrates why defending LGBTI rights in Türkiye is more important than ever," Esther Major, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Europe, said in a statement.Turkish police detain dozens of LGBT rights protesters in Ankara, on September 15, 2026.
The arrests interrupted a planned pro-LGBT demonstration in the capital a day after detentions of LGBT activists, media organizations, civil society groups and public figures across Turkey.(Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)In a statement posted on X, Turkey’s Minister of Justice, Akın Gürlek, said, "we are steadfastly continuing our efforts to prote...