On a Sunday morning in September 2026, Turkish police moved across Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Mersin in a coordinated sweep — raiding gay bars, activist offices, and private homes, detaining at least 63 people in what authorities named 'My Family is Safe.' Framed by the Justice Minister as a constitutional duty to protect children and families under President Erdogan's population policy, the operation represents not an isolated moment but the sharpening edge of a decade-long narrowing of space for LGBTQ life in Turkey. When a state gives its repressions the language of protection, it asks us
Turkey escalates LGBTQ crackdown with nationwide raids, detaining 63
At least 63 people detained in police raids; nearly 50 LGBTQ rights defenders taken into custody or subject to legal proceedings.