‘On What Grounds is Pride Parade not Permitted?’

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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu has brought the ban on İstanbul Pride Parade and discrimination against LGBTI+s in Turkey into Parliamentary agenda.

Submitting a Parliamentary question to be responded by Vice President Fuat Oktay, Tanrıkulu has reminded that after the Vice Governor of İstanbul said, "As Taksim is not designated as a site of parades and demonstrations, the parade cannot be held there," the Governorship has also rejected the requests to hold the parade in sites designated as such.

"On what grounds are requests to hold the parade in these sites rejected by Vice Governor", Sezgin Tanrıkulu has asked Oktay and added:

"Considering that the response given to them indicated, 'LGBTI+s are a "socially objectionable group" when the open-air events to be held by them in all areas in İstanbul including Taksim are considered', what is the meaning and explanation of the expression 'socially objectionable group'?"

Concluding his Parliamentary question, Tanrıkulu has further asked, "How many LGBTI+ individuals across Turkey have lost their lives as a result of hate speech over the last 17 years? What is their distribution by provinces?"

CLICK - İzmir LGBTI+ Pride Week and Antalya Pride Week Banned

This year, Pride Parades to be held in İzmir, Antalya and İstanbul have not been allowed by the Governorships. Intervening in the İzmir LGBTI+ Pride Parade last Saturday (June 22), the police took at least 15 people in custody.

CLICK - Governor of İstanbul Rejects Pride March Application

(EMK/SD)