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Turkish police detain dozens in raids on gay bars and homes of LGBTQ+ activists
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Turkish police detained 47 people during raids on gay bars and LGBTQ+ activists' homes across 12 provinces as part of the "My Family is Safe" campaign aimed at protecting family values.
- Authorities seized drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol, and a firearm, with 26 detained in Istanbul and 21 in Ankara during an investigation into the LGBTQ+ organization Kaos GL.
- Kaos GL reported that 50 activists were detained, several homes raided, and multiple LGBTQ+ websites and social media accounts blocked, with accusations of "obscenity" in online content accessible to children.
- Same-sex marriage is not recognized in Turkey, and LGBTQ+ individuals face significant discrimination, with President Erdogan labeling them as "perverts" and linking them to declining birth rates.
- The Turkish Justice Minister stated legal action has been initiated against over 160 people and various organizations under the "Decade of the Family" campaign, which human rights groups claim targets the LGBTQ+ community.
