Istanbul Pride

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.

The 2011 gathering attracted over 10,000 people, therefore making Gay Pride Istanbul the biggest march of its kind in the Muslim majority countries.

[11] On Sunday 29 June 2015, Reuters reported that Turkish police used a water cannon to disperse the gay pride parade.

[14] Supporters of the Pride claimed this decision was religiously motivated and the event was banned because it would have take during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

[12] In 2017 the Istanbul Governor's Office yet again banned the LGBT Pride Parade, citing security concerns and public order.

[16][17] In 2019, the Istanbul Governor's Office yet again banned the LGBT Pride Parade, citing security concerns and public order.

[24] Starting with 2023, and again in 2024, Istanbul Pride was held in non-Taksim square public spaces, and fake meeting calls were announced prior to thwart law enforcement.

[25][26] LGBT organizations[27] Other institutions and organizations that contribute to the pride march are: Politicians that have joined Istanbul Pride are mainly from the opposition parties HDP, CHP, TİP and include: They call upon the Turkish authorities to guarantee fundamental rights and civil liberties to all LGBT people.

[28] In 2019, shortly after the 2019 Turkish local elections opposition politician and Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu stated that the ban can't be unruled as the right to give permission to demonstrations lies with the governorship and the governors of Turkish provinces are not elected but directly appointed by the presidency.