METU Pride March marred by interventions, detentions

Photo: ÜniKuir

Click to read the article in Turkish

Students of Ankara's esteemed Middle East Technical University (METU) gathered today (June 9) at the campus for the university's annual Pride Parade.

However, the event was marred by several incidents leading up to the march and during the gathering.

The situation escalated today as the police erected barricades on the road connecting the METU's rectorate building to the march's starting point.

METU students informed bianet that the campus is 'under police siege', with authorities using physical force to detain students in the library.

According to METU LGBTIQAA+ Solidarity Crisis Desk, at least five people have been detained, and more detentions are expected.

Nevertheless, students were able to raise a transgender flag outside the Mathematics department at 16:50.

Kampüste "İşkence var!" sesleri...

???? ODTÜ'de yürüyüş başlamadan, anayasal hakları engellenen öğrenciler gözaltına alınıyor. pic.twitter.com/ZR7WobY0sP

— ÜniKuir (@unikuir) June 9, 2023

'Protection of the family'

A day prior to the scheduled march, anti-LGBTI+ posters promoting the "protection of the family," were hung on campus, and the rectorate sent an email to students, warning of a ban on the march.

The march in question was not explicitly mentioned by the rectorate. Instead, it referred to an event organized by "a certain group."

The rectorate asserted that the march violates the law and informed that "all necessary security measures" would be taken if the students proceed with the parade.

Last year, METU's Pride march was also banned, leading to police intervention and the detention of around 38 students.

LGBTI+ rights in Turkey

In recent years, LGBTI+phobia has become more prominent in public and political spheres. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan consistently attacks LGBTI+ groups, calling them a global threat to Islam, perverts, and underminers of traditional family values.  

Furthermore, İstanbul's Pride Parade has been banned since 2015, while Anti-LGBTI+ rallies have been openly endorsed by politicians.

Turkey currently ranks second-worst on ILGA Europe's Rainbow Index. (EMK/TY/WM)