A coalition led by ILGA-Europe has warned of a sharp escalation in the repression of LGBTI+ activists and organisations in Turkey (Türkiye), following a series of court cases, prosecutions and renewed legislative threats.
In December 2025, a first-instance court ordered the closure of Genç LGBTİ+, an LGBTI+ youth organisation based in İzmir, citing “obscenity” linked to social media posts shared between 2019 and 2022. The content in question consisted of illustrations created by LGBTI+ artists during online Pride events, which formed part of the organisation’s advocacy and community work.
The court ruled that the visuals could encourage individuals to become lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, and found them in violation of public morality and Article 41 of the Turkish Constitution, which concerns the protection of the family. Human rights groups argue that the decision infringes on freedoms of expression and association, as well as the principle of non-discrimination.
Criminal charges against activists
Alongside the closure, criminal proceedings have been initiated against 11 individuals linked to Genç LGBTİ+, including members of its executive and supervisory boards. They are accused of violating provisions of Turkey’s Law on Associations and face potential prison sentences of between one and three years, in addition to fines. The first hearing is scheduled for 8 April 2026.
In a separate case, a lawsuit filed in February targets Defne Güzel, chair of the May 17 Association. She is accused of breaching the same law on the grounds that a book and exhibition catalogue published by the organisation were “contrary to public morality”. If convicted, she could face similar penalties.
Both cases could also result in restrictions under Article 53 of the Turkish Criminal Code, preventing those convicted from serving on the boards of civil society organisations, effectively limiting future activism.
Concerns over due process
Rights organisations have raised concerns about due process in both cases, citing the speed of proceedings and decisions to prosecute despite expert and audit reports indicating no wrongdoing. In Güzel’s case, the charges also relate to social media posts by third parties using the hashtag #MyIntersexStory.
Genç LGBTİ+ has announced plans to appeal the closure ruling.
Wider crackdown on LGBTI+ rights
These developments come amid what observers describe as a sustained deterioration in fundamental freedoms in Turkey, particularly affecting LGBTI+ individuals and organisations.
In 2025, declared the ‘Year of the Family‘ by the government, authorities introduced policies targeting gender equality and LGBTI+ rights. The period has also seen repeated bans on Pride events, mass detentions of activists and journalists, and increased scrutiny of cultural and artistic expression.
Authorities have twice attempted to introduce legislation that would criminalise LGBTI+ identities and advocacy, often described as ‘anti-LGBT propaganda’ measures. Discussions in early 2026 suggest these proposals may be reintroduced. Additional restrictions on access to gender-affirming healthcare came into force in June 2025.
Pattern of closures and intimidation
Human rights groups stress that the closure of Genç LGBTİ+ is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern. Since 2021, at least six associations in Turkey have faced closure proceedings, with four already dissolved and two cases ongoing.
One of the ongoing cases concerns the Tarlabaşı Community Center in Istanbul, which has been accused of acting against morality due to its LGBTI+-inclusive work on gender equality with women and children. Although an obscenity investigation against its chair was dropped, she remains on trial under the Law on Associations.
There has also been an increasing focus on individual activists. In addition to Güzel, other prominent figures, including Enes Hocaoğulları and Yıldız Tar, have faced legal action in recent years, contributing to what organisations describe as a climate of intimidation.
Calls for action from Turkey and international bodies
The organisations behind the statement are calling on the Turkish government to halt what they describe as discriminatory practices. Their demands include abandoning proposed legislation targeting LGBTI+ people, ending audits seen as punitive, and ensuring fair trials in ongoing cases.
They have also urged the European Union to condemn proposed anti-LGBTI+ measures and raise concerns about the treatment of civil society in its dialogue with Turkey. The bloc is further asked to treat the closure of Genç LGBTİ+ as evidence of declining rule of law and to link improvements in human rights to deeper economic cooperation.
Similarly, the Council of Europe is being called upon to monitor developments closely, condemn discriminatory legislative proposals, and reaffirm that portraying LGBTI+ identities or advocacy as “obscene” is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Growing concerns over democratic backsliding
Human rights organisations warn that the current crackdown on LGBTI+ groups reflects a broader erosion of democratic standards in Turkey. They argue that restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly are becoming increasingly systematic, posing a significant threat to civil society and equality.
With further audits expected in 2026 and controversial legislative proposals likely to return to parliament, campaigners say sustained international attention and pressure will be essential in the months ahead.
LGBTI+ rights in Turkey: legal reality, social climate and travel experience: alegal framework with limited protection
LGBTI+ people in Turkey live in a legal environment that is often described as paradoxical. On the one hand, same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1858 (in the Ottoman Empire), making Turkey one of the earliest countries in the region to decriminalise homosexuality. On the other hand, this historical legacy has not led to broader equality in modern law.
There is no legal recognition of same-sex relationships, whether through marriage or civil unions, and no comprehensive anti-discrimination protections covering sexual orientation or gender identity.
Same-sex couples are excluded from adoption rights, and LGBTI+ individuals cannot serve openly in the military. While gender reassignment surgery is permitted under certain conditions, the process for legal gender recognition remains restrictive and bureaucratic.
As a result, Turkey consistently ranks among the lowest countries in Europe in terms of LGBTI+ equality, reflecting a gap between formal legality and lived reality.
Growing political pressure and restrictions
In recent years, the situation has worsened. Political discourse has increasingly portrayed LGBTI+ identities as incompatible with traditional family values, and government initiatives have reinforced this framing. The designation of 2025 as the ‘Year of the Family’ symbolised this shift, with official rhetoric and policies targeting concepts such as gender equality and LGBTI+ inclusion.
At the same time, authorities have explored legislative measures that could further restrict LGBTI+ expression and advocacy. Proposals resembling so-called ‘anti-LGBT propaganda’ laws have been discussed more than once, raising concerns among human rights organisations that the legal environment could become even more restrictive.
Limits on visibility and freedom of expression
Although LGBTI+ identity is not criminalised, public visibility is tightly constrained. Pride marches, most notably Istanbul Pride, have been repeatedly banned since 2015. Attempts to gather often result in police intervention, arrests and dispersal of crowds.
Beyond demonstrations, artistic and cultural expression linked to LGBTI+ themes can face censorship or administrative barriers.
Civil society organisations operate under increasing scrutiny, with audits, legal cases and even closure proceedings affecting several groups. Activists and organisation leaders may be prosecuted under broadly defined laws relating to morality or association, contributing to a climate of uncertainty and pressure.
A divided social landscape
Social attitudes in Turkey are far from uniform. In large cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, there is a more visible and organised LGBTI+ community. Cultural initiatives, independent events and a small network of venues continue to operate, offering spaces for expression and social life.
However, this relative openness contrasts sharply with more conservative attitudes in smaller towns and rural areas, where traditional values tend to dominate and visibility is much lower. Even in urban settings, many LGBTI+ people navigate public life with caution, balancing openness with concerns about safety and social acceptance.
Experiences of LGBTI+ tourists
For visitors, Turkey presents a similarly nuanced picture. Being LGBTI+ is not illegal, and tourists are not at risk of prosecution simply for their identity. In major cities, particularly Istanbul, many travellers report feeling relatively safe, especially when frequenting known LGBTI+-friendly venues or neighbourhoods.
At the same time, discretion remains an important consideration. Public displays of affection are generally limited in Turkish society, even among heterosexual couples, and same-sex couples may attract unwanted attention if they are visibly affectionate in public. Outside major urban centres, where social norms are more conservative, travellers may feel less comfortable expressing their identity openly.
Accounts from travellers and community discussions often converge on a similar conclusion: Turkey can be a welcoming destination, particularly in cosmopolitan areas, but it is not a place where most LGBTI+ visitors feel entirely free to be openly expressive at all times.
Interactions with authorities are unlikely to pose problems for tourists in everyday situations, but participation in public demonstrations, such as Pride events, carries risks due to frequent bans and police intervention.
A complex and evolving situation
The situation of LGBTI+ people in Turkey is therefore marked by contradiction. Legal tolerance of same-sex relationships coexists with a lack of protection and increasing political hostility. Urban spaces offer pockets of relative openness, while broader social and institutional pressures limit visibility and expression.
For residents, this creates an environment in which rights are fragile and activism carries risks. For visitors, it means that travel is generally possible and often enjoyable, but shaped by an awareness of local sensitivities. Overall, the trajectory in recent years points towards tightening restrictions, making Turkey a country where LGBTI+ life remains visible, yet increasingly constrained.
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