Protesters demand ban on LGBTQ in Turkey  

Protesters stormed various locations in Istanbul, Turkey, demanding the dismantling of all LGBTQ associations and ban on gay and lesbian activities in the country.

The spokesperson of the organizers of the protest with the theme – The Big Family Gathering – Kursat Mican, disclosed that the organisers mobilized over 150,000 signatures for the demand of new law in Turkey that would ban LGBTQ propaganda being spread on Netflix, social media, arts and sports.

A nanny who joined the mass protest from Bursa province, Hatice Muge, has declared: “People are here despite the rain for their children, for future generations.” She demanded urgent the Turkish government to act fast in banning same sex marriages or relationships in the country. According to Muge, “They should save the family, they should save the children from this filth.”

The protesters displayed banners with inscriptions: “Protecting the family is a national security issue”; ‘save the future of our family, save our children”.

Turkey has not permitted LGBTQ activities in the country since 2015, forcing practitioners to take to the social media.

There has been anti-LGTBQ protests in several European countries which include Belgrade, Serbia, including some stated in the United States where there had been counter-protests of pro and anti LGBTQ rallies, as well as non-tolerance of same sex marriages and relationships in Asian countries.

Organizers of the anti-gay and lesbian protest in Turkey, had   circulated a video with images from past LGBTQ Pride marches in Turkey while mobilizing protesters for the recent mass action.

The video was gathered to be included in the public service announcement list of Turkey’s media watchdog.

The video and the demonstration were said to have provoked massive agitations from LGBTQ associations and other rights groups.

The organizers of Istanbul Pride were said to have demanded the governor’s office to ban the event and that the authorities take down the video. The protesters declared that both are hateful.

Top Turkish officials were said to have declared LGBTQ people as “perverts” and destroyers of traditional family values.