24th Istanbul Pride March Defies Bans in Kadıköy
Istanbul, June 28 – The 24th Istanbul Pride March took place in Kadıköy yesterday, June 28, 2026, despite official bans and extensive transportation restrictions. LGBTQ+ individuals gathered in various streets of Caferağa from 12:00 PM onwards, carrying banners and chanting slogans. Police intervened, leading to the detention of at least 65 people, including journalists covering the event.
Bans and Restrictions Preceded the March
Prior to the march, the Kadıköy District Governorship announced a ban on all demonstrations and events in the district from June 27, 8:00 AM, to June 28, 11:59 PM. The Beyoğlu District Governorship issued a similar ban, closing roads around Taksim, while the governorship also restricted access to certain metro and funicular lines.
“We are here without fear, without hiding, without bowing down”
Despite these measures, LGBTQ+ individuals assembled in Kadıköy Caferağa, initiating marches from different streets with banners, placards, and slogans. Özgül Saki, Istanbul Deputy for the DEM Party, and Sera Kadıgil, Istanbul Deputy for the Workers’ Party of Turkey, were present to support the LGBTQ+ community.
Reports indicate that at least 65 individuals from at least five separate groups attempting to access the area from various points were detained. Among those detained were journalists covering the event.
DİSK Basın-İş and the Turkish Journalists’ Union both issued separate statements condemning the detention of journalists. They called for the immediate release of the journalists, asserting, “Journalism is not a crime.”
Police intervened against LGBTQ+ individuals marching on Yaverbey Street. In Keresteci Aziz Street in Caferağa, LGBTQ+ individuals attempting to display a banner with the slogan “Where are you, my love?” were detained along with journalists covering the action.
On Şair Latifi Street, at least five people were subjected to ill-treatment before being detained. Furthermore, LGBTQ+ individuals marching on Moda Avenue with the slogan “Where are you, my love?” were also taken into custody.
Protests Continue Despite Detentions
Despite the detentions, LGBTQ+ individuals continued their protests throughout the day in various locations. In Ziverbey, they unfurled a banner reading, “You cannot silence trans people, we are here!” and chanted, “We won’t turn back, we won’t turn back from this path.”
A statement made during the march declared: “Today, during the 24th LGBTQ+ Pride March, our friends were tortured and detained. But we are in the streets once again today. We are here with our courage. We are here to continue the laughter and words of our detained friends. We came openly, we speak openly. Once again, we say: We are not giving up our struggle.”
“Today is not over yet, in fact, we are just beginning!”
The Istanbul LGBTQ+ Pride Week Committee released a statement on their social media account, saying, “We said it openly, my love, we are here, we will give the law lesson, and we will teach the struggle. We have always said it, and we will continue to say it; we are here, resisting detentions and your hatred in the streets that belong to us!”
The Committee emphasized that the protests would continue throughout the day: “My love, today is not over yet, in fact, we are just beginning! We are not dispersing! We continue to be in the streets from every area we are in!”
Source: bianet.org
