# Turkey detains 91 at protest against LGBTQ crackdown

> Police arrested dozens protesting weekend raids on gay bars and activists' homes as Erdogan's government intensifies pressure on LGBTQ community.
- Title: Turkey detains 91 at protest against LGBTQ crackdown
- Summary: Police arrested dozens protesting weekend raids on gay bars and activists' homes as Erdogan's government intensifies pressure on LGBTQ community. Turkey is…
- Keywords: turkey, istanbul, lgbtq rights, recep tayyip erdogan, protests, police raids, human rights, european union, amnesty international, caglayan courthouse, decade of the family, news
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/16/being-lgbtq-is-not-a-crime-dozens-detained-at-istanbul-protest-amid-turkey-crackdown/235348
- Published: 2026-09-16T09:24:23+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: turkey, istanbul, lgbtq rights, recep tayyip erdogan, protests, police raids, human rights, european union, amnesty international, caglayan courthouse, decade of the family, news
## 91 detained at Istanbul courthouse
Turkish police arrested 91 people protesting outside Istanbul's Caglayan courthouse against a nationwide LGBTQ crackdown. Officers surrounded protesters and declared the gathering illegal.

> Being LGBTQ is not a crime
## Weekend raids sparked the protest
Police arrested dozens at gay bars and activists' homes on Sunday on charges including obscenity, assisting prostitution, and having financial links abroad.
## Erdogan's 'Decade of the Family'
The crackdown is part of President Erdogan's initiative, who has described the LGBTQ community as a 'deviant movement' of 'perverts'.
## Protesters detained before speaking
Police moved in and arrested demonstrators before they could issue a statement. The group had unfurled a banner reading 'Being LGBTQ is not a crime'.

> Long live the struggle for freedom!
## Journalists arrested covering rally
Two journalists, one from BirGun daily and another from Germany's ARD television, were detained while reporting on the protest.

> We do not accept the criminalisation of journalism
## Social media accounts blocked
Authorities blocked social media accounts of human rights defenders and media outlets as part of operations called 'My Family Is Safe'.
## European Union voices concern
The EU urged Ankara to respect human rights and criticized using the judicial system as a tool for punishment based on sexual orientation.
## Kurdish party links to peace talks
Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM party said the repression undermines the peace process it is mediating between Ankara and PKK militants.

> The language of peace cannot go hand in hand with repression
## Amnesty calls it full-scale assault
Amnesty International described the crackdown as a full-scale assault on LGBTQ rights and demanded immediate release of all detained.
## Justice minister vows to continue
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek pledged to continue the campaign, dismissing concerns from the European Union. Same-sex relations remain legal in Turkey.
## Key takeaway

Turkey is escalating its crackdown on LGBTQ rights under Erdogan's 'Decade of the Family' initiative, detaining activists and protesters despite international condemnation.