ISTANBUL: Turkish police on Tuesday detained dozens protesting against a nationwide LGBTQ crackdown that the government says is intended to protect traditional family values, journalists at the scene reported.

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 demonstration followed sweeping police raids in several cities including Istanbul and the capital Ankara 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.

Turkiye’s LGBTQ community has increasingly come under pressure from the authorities, with Erdogan describing it as a “deviant movement” of “perverts”.

In Istanbul, police surrounded the protesters and repeatedly warned them over a loudspeaker that the gathering was “illegal”. Before the group, which unfurled a banner reading “Being LGBTQ is not a crime”, could issue a statement, police moved in and detained them, journalists said.

“I am very angry, frustrated and disappointed. I have been following cases concerning justice in Turkey for a very long time, and what we are seeing now is deeply disturbing,” a 44-year-old protester, who identified herself only as Zeynep for fear of repercussions, said.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2026