24th Istanbul Pride March Held in Kadıköy Despite Bans and Detentions
Istanbul, June 28, 2026 – The 24th Istanbul Pride March took place yesterday in Kadıköy, defying official bans and extensive transportation restrictions. LGBTQIA+ individuals gathered in various streets of Caferağa from 12:00 PM onwards, marching with banners and slogans to assert their presence. The event, however, was met with police intervention, resulting in the detention of at least 65 individuals, including journalists covering the march.
Official Bans and Restrictions Preceded the March
Prior to the march, the Kadıköy District Governorship had announced a ban on all demonstrations and events in the district from June 27 at 08:00 AM until June 28 at 11:59 PM. The Beyoğlu District Governorship issued a similar ban and closed roads around Taksim. Furthermore, a provincial governor’s decision restricted access to certain metro and funicular lines, aiming to prevent participants from reaching designated areas.
Defiant Marches Across Kadıköy
Despite these measures, LGBTQIA+ activists converged in Kadıköy’s Caferağa district. Groups began marching from different streets, carrying placards and chanting slogans such as “We are here without fear, without hiding, without bowing down.” Members of Parliament, including Özgül Saki from the DEM Party and Sera Kadıgil from the Workers’ Party of Turkey, were present to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Multiple groups attempted to reach central areas, leading to confrontations with police. In Yaverbey Street, feminist activists were detained. In Keresteci Aziz Street, LGBTQIA+ individuals attempting to unfurl a banner and chant “Where are you, my love?” were detained alongside journalists documenting the scene. Similar detentions occurred on Moda Avenue, where marchers chanted the same slogan. In Şair Latifi Street, at least five individuals were subjected to ill-treatment before being taken into custody.
Journalists Among the Detained
The detention of journalists covering the event drew strong condemnation from press organizations. DİSK Basın-İş and the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS) issued separate statements, calling for the immediate release of their colleagues and reiterating the principle that “journalism is not a crime.”
“We Will Not Give Up Our Struggle”
Despite the detentions, LGBTQIA+ individuals continued their demonstrations throughout the day in various locations. In Ziverbey, they unfurled a banner proclaiming “You cannot silence trans people, we are here!” and chanted “We will not turn back, we will not turn back from this path.” A statement released during the march emphasized their resolve:
“During the 24th LGBTQIA+ Pride March today, our friends were detained with torture. 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, and we speak openly. We say once again: We will not give up our struggle.”
Pride Committee Vows Continued Resistance
The Istanbul LGBTQIA+ Pride Week Committee issued a statement via their social media accounts, declaring, “We said openly, my love, we are here, we will give the law lesson, and we will teach the struggle. We have always said, and we will continue to say; we are here, we resist both detentions and your hatred in our streets!” The committee also announced that actions would continue throughout the day, stating, “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!”
The events of June 28, 2026, underscore the ongoing struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights in Istanbul, where activists continue to push for visibility and acceptance in the face of official repression.
