Turkey: Istanbul Pride march must go ahead unhindered
As the annual Istanbul Pride due to take place on Sunday 1 July approaches, Amnesty International, ILGA-Europe and All Out stand in solidarity with Turkey’s LGBTI+ communities and their allies, calling on the authorities to ensure Istanbul Pride march takes place without any unlawful restrictions.
Fotis Filippou, Campaigns Director for Europe at Amnesty International said:
“In the current climate of fear, where authorities are clamping down on civil society, freedom of expression and diversity, it is all the more important for LGBTI individuals to be visible and freely celebrate pride. People around the world are standing in solidarity with Turkey’s LGBTI activists and their allies, who, against all odds are marching for human rights and equality.”
The last time it took place in 2014, an estimated 90,000 people participated in the vibrant Istanbul Pride parade in Istiklal Avenue, the city’s main shopping street. This was the largest of the gatherings since 2003, when just 30 LGBTI+ activists had been present in the first ever Pride march. But all this changed when the Istanbul Governorate banned the 2015 Pride march in Istanbul, police violently dispersing participants with water cannons, tear gas and pepper ball projectiles, detaining dozens of people in the process. In 2016 and 2017, small groups of LGBTI+ activists and allies were also prevented from marching following bans by the Governorate.
Björn van Roozendaal, Programmes Director for ILGA-Europe said:
“In 2018, Pride is undoubtedly a litmus test for democratic values – a test that over the past few years, Turkey has failed to meet. It’s particularly disappointing when you consider the incredible history of Pride in Istanbul. Sadly, the restrictions on LGBTI public events since then in the region are indicative of the attempted erosion of civil society organising and human rights. History is repeating itself. And make no mistake, this is harming all of society, not just the LGBTI communities and their allies. Attacks on activism and dissenting voices, a constant refusal from authorities to engage with their citizens, and persistent disregard for fundamental rights - this is something that should provoke a reaction from all communities, not only the LGBTI movement.”
Turkey’s LGBTI+ communities are determined to exercise their right to peacefully celebrate pride. In fact, on 11 May, students at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara did just that, despite the ongoing city wide blanket ban on all LGBTI+ events. In Izmir, hundreds took part in the 6 th annual Pride march on 10 June.
Matt Beard, Executive Director for All Out said:
“We will continue to stand in solidarity with LGBTI people in Istanbul and across Turkey. Authorities can ban peaceful gatherings, they can silence dissent, they can use hard, raw power to bully and coerce others. But they will never extinguish the hunger for freedom, respect, and dignity that are at the very heart of Pride.”
Under domestic and international law, Turkish authorities are under obligation to protect the rights to freedom of peaceful expression and assembly. On 1 July, Istanbul Pride must be allowed to go ahead unhindered and be protected.
The Pope’s on his way to the US, but he’s excluded #LGBT Catholics as a part of his trip. What do you think – is the Pope’s legacy going to be one of equality or not?
Tell Pope Francis to listen to ALL Catholics by adding your name here: go.allout.org/en/a/pope
The numbers are in! All Out and LUSH Cosmetics reached tens of millions of people with the message that #GayIsOK, but in almost 80 countries it’s a crime. You blew past our goal within hours.
The best part is that the money raised from purchase of the Love Soap totaled over £275,955 - around US$413,900 or €378,200 - and will support All Out and grassroots organisations fighting for love and equality worldwide!
Thank you to everyone who took part in one of the biggest conversations around this issue EVER.
In a secret meeting last week, Australia’s Prime Minister banned members of his party from voting ‘Yes’ on marriage equality. It was a dirty move.
But a few brave politicians have promised to take a stand for love and vote 'Yes’ anyway. If a few more rebellious politicians join in, marriage equality could have enough support to pass.
So that got us to thinking… imagine if members of Parliament could see beautiful photos of gay and lesbian couples who HAVE been allowed to marry – like in the UK, Canada, and the USA – just before they’re deciding what to do. It’d remind them of the global wave of marriage wins and show that the tide can’t be held back.
All Out members from around the world sent in photos to make this beautiful video. If enough people chip in, we can buy an advertising slot on Sky News – a channel that streams inside Parliament. The powerful message could get enough politicians to join the rebellion and vote 'Yes’ on marriage equality.
Hey friends! You want us on Instagram, and we heard you! Follow @wearealloutto meet other people fighting for love and equality around the world. Tag us in a selfie with the hashtag #weareallout and tell us why you’re going All Out and where you’re from to be featured.
Together, we’re a movement. We hope this page lets people worldwide – gay, straight, lesbian, bi, trans, everyone – get to know each other a bit better and meet the faces behind the petitions.
Follow @weareallout on Instagram to meet others like you around the world. Tag us in a selfie with the hashtag #weareallout and tell us why you’re going All Out and where you’re from to be featured!
Here’s the deal: there’s a marriage equality bill on the table in Australia, and the government is deciding right now whether to block it. They need some love.
Will you post a photo to send to politicians trying to block equality? (Think wedding pics, selfies with the person you love, or just you with a note! Just like these amazing ones from All Out members worldwide.)
Tag it with #DearOz and we’ll put your pictures from around the world where the government can’t ignore them. If you don’t want to post, you can send them over to [email protected].
#gayisok because God created us all different, some He created gay. They should love who they love without being persecuted. #lush #gayrights #lgtbrights #newcampaign
From coast to coast, country to country, and continent to continent, we believe in love. LGBT rights are human rights. Please join us, and tell the world why #gayisok! #lushnorthstar
When we launched our #GayIsOK campaign a few days ago, it was a crime to be gay in 76 countries. Early this week, Mozambique left that list - what an inspiration to keep telling the world why #GayIsOK.
[id: a knees-up pencil sketch of shinshi yutaka from all out. he is a fat guy with messy medium-length hair. he is standing with his elbows up and his forearms and hands behind his head. he is wearing a plain muscle tank top and board shorts, and his top is being slightly pulled up by his raised arms to reveal the bottom of his stomach. there is hair on his armpits and below his naval. an orange circle is in the background behind him. /end id]
