Fact Check: "Istanbul Pride has been banned annually since 2015"
What We Know
The claim that "Istanbul Pride has been banned annually since 2015" is rooted in the history of LGBTQ+ rights and public demonstrations in Turkey. The Istanbul Pride Parade, which has been held since 2003, faced increasing restrictions over the years. In 2015, the Istanbul Governor's Office banned the parade, citing security concerns and the potential for violence. This ban was upheld in subsequent years, with authorities citing similar reasons for prohibiting the event in 2016, 2017, and beyond. Notably, in 2020, the police violently dispersed a small group of LGBTQ+ activists who attempted to gather for a Pride event, further illustrating the ongoing repression of such gatherings in Turkey (Wikipedia, Pieni Matkaopas).
Analysis
The assertion that Istanbul Pride has been banned annually since 2015 is partially true. While it is accurate that the parade has faced bans since 2015, it is important to note that there were attempts to hold the event in subsequent years, albeit without official sanction. For example, in 2016, despite the ban, activists attempted to march but were met with police resistance. The same pattern continued in 2017 and 2018, where gatherings were either banned or violently suppressed (Wikipedia, Pieni Matkaopas).
The sources used to substantiate this claim are credible, as they are well-established platforms that provide historical context and current events related to LGBTQ+ rights in Turkey. However, the sources do not provide a comprehensive timeline of events for each year post-2015, which could lead to a misunderstanding of the nature of the bans and the resistance from activists. The reliability of the information is high, given the consistent reporting from multiple outlets on the subject matter (Wikipedia, Pieni Matkaopas).
Conclusion
The claim that "Istanbul Pride has been banned annually since 2015" is partially true. While the event has indeed faced official bans since 2015, it is essential to clarify that these bans were not absolute in terms of preventing all forms of gathering or protest, as activists have continued to attempt to hold events despite the risks involved. The ongoing repression reflects a broader trend of diminishing rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in Turkey.
