Turkish police launched a nationwide crackdown on Sunday, raiding gay bars, association offices, popular hangouts, and the homes of LGBTQ+ activists across major cities. At least 63 people were arrested in operations that authorities claimed were intended to boost traditional family values.
The LGBTQ community has been frequently targeted by the government. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described the community as a deviant movement of perverts and has held them responsible for the falling birth rate.
In response to the crackdown, protests erupted in several cities. On Monday, police fired tear gas at pro-LGBTQ demonstrators in Izmir. In the same province, a court ordered the detention of 16 people pending trial as part of the government campaign targeting LGBTQ+ associations.
Further unrest occurred on Tuesday in Istanbul, where authorities detained at least 150 people. The detentions took place outside the Caglayan courthouse, where demonstrators had gathered to protest the recent targeted detentions of LGBTQ+ groups.