LGBTQI+ community in Turkey holds nationwide protests against 11th “Judicial Package”

In several cities in Turkey, LGBTQI+ community and human rights activists held protests against a new draft law called the 11th “Judicial Package”. The bill envisages imprisonment for LGBTQI+ people and raising the age of gender reassignment surgery to 25.

Protesters described the bill as “a clear attack on human rights, bodily autonomy and personal freedoms”.

“We will not allow our human rights to be taken away”

On October 17, university students and human rights activists took to the streets in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Çanakkale and many other cities.

At Hacettepe University, students marched chanting slogans such as “Defiance of hatred, long live life!” and at Bilkent University, “State, get your hands off my body!” About thirty students were detained by police after the protests.

Students at the Middle East Technical University (METU) marched to the rector's office and unfurled a giant rainbow flag. They said in a statement:

“We know it is easy to despair in these dark times, but let our presence here together remind you of resistance and solidarity. As the government increases its violence, our resistance will grow stronger, lubunya. We have not bowed to family pressure, social violence or law enforcement harassment; we will not bow to the law. We will not allow our human rights to be taken away from us.”

The Ankara Pride Week Committee and the Ankara branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) also issued a joint statement, emphasizing:

“Our solidarity is as strong as our anger; our struggle knows no borders. Our bodies, our identities, our lives are ours. No law, no discourse, no pressure or hatred can change this reality.”

“We will not give up our identity, our love, our pride”

Participants of the action organized by Istanbul Pride Week and Trans Pride Week gathered in the Kurtuluş neighborhood and marched. The protesters declared:

"While peace is being discussed, you want to judge LGBTI+ people for our existence. You cannot establish social peace by declaring war on us LGBTI+ people! We repeat: we will not give up our identity, our love, our pride."

At Mimar Sinan University, Queer Baykuş read a joint statement of the groups regarding the 11th “Law Package” and said, "We will oppose it with all our might."

Students of Yeditepe University said, "We do not accept this bill that targets LGBTQ+ people, trans people and all people who do not fit into the gender roles of society!"

The groups' joint statement was also read at Boğaziçi University's South Campus. "Let's stand together against this fascist order and plan, let's protect a dignified life together," the students said.

"Fascism is being built on our bodies"

"Fascism is being built on our bodies. Fighting against this law means not allowing a one-man regime that turns violence into a spectacle to rule society," they said at a rally in front of the Çanakkale Pride Week Clock Tower.

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