Police bar transgender rights march in Istanbul
ISTANBUL — Turkish police chased away a small group of transgender rights activists who tried to march to Istanbul’s main square Sunday while carrying rainbow flags despite an official ban on the event.
The rights group Istanbul LGBTI, host of the eighth Trans Pride March, had said on social media that it would not recognize the governor’s ban.
The ban also said, “very serious reactions have been raised by different segments of society,” in reference to threats by conservative and ultranationalist groups made against trans and LGBT marches.
The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul issued a security message Friday informing its citizens of possible “heavy police presence and counter demonstrations” and asking them to exercise caution.
Rights activists say transgender individuals face rampant discrimination and hate crimes in Turkey, and want to march for visibility and acceptance.