Istanbul Pride

LGBT pride parade on May 29, 2012, İstiklal Avenue, Istanbul.
Istanbul LGBT pride parade in 2013, İstiklal Avenue, Istanbul.
Istanbul Pride

Istanbul Pride (Turkish: İstanbul Onur Yürüyüşü) is a pride parade and LGBTQ demonstration held annually in Turkey's biggest city, Istanbul since 2003. Participants assemble in Taksim Square before marching the entire length of İstiklal Avenue. It has been described as the first and biggest LGBT event in Muslim-majority countries.

The event reached roughly 5,000 people by 2010. In 2013, the pride parade, with the attendance of Gezi Park protesters attracted almost 100,000 people.[1][2] The 2014 Pride was the biggest LGBT event in Turkey's history and attracted more than 100,000 people.[3] Since 2015 pride parades in Istanbul were denied permission by the Governorship of Istanbul authorities. The governors repeatedly stated that the denials were based on security concerns and public order, but critics claimed the bans were taken on a religious and ideological basis. Despite the refusal, hundreds of people defied the ban each year, which resulted in law enforcement intervention.[4]

Politicians that have joined Istanbul Pride are mainly from the opposition parties Republican People's Party (CHP) and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP).

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  4. ^ "17TH İSTANBUL LGBTI+ PRIDE PARADE: Police Attack with Shields, Pepper Gas After Pride Parade Statement Read". Bianet - Bagimsiz Iletisim Agi.