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Queer: Luca Guadagnino responds to Turkish authorities banning his gay drama

Luca Guadagnino has responded to Turkey authorities blocking the screening of his film Queer. Earlier this month, the upcoming gay drama was set to kick off Mubi Fest Istanbul 2024. On 7 November, however, the same day the event was expected to start, Mubi Turkey announced that it would no longer happen due to the city governor’s last-minute ban on Queer. “Hours before the opening of MUBI Fest Istanbul 2024, which we have been meticulously planning for months, and which was announced a few weeks ago and sold out days ago, we were…

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Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws Articles Istanbul Istanbul Pride LGBTQ+ News Life News Turkey

LGBTQ+ activists defy Pride ban and hold annual march in Istanbul

Hundreds of people defied a ban on staging an annual LGBTQ+ Pride march in Istanbul, resulting in more than 40 activists being detained. On 25 June, demonstrators waved rainbow flags as they took part in peaceful rallies in the Nişantaşı neighbourhood after they were banned from Taksim Square. Despite the heightened police presence and arrests made, the march was able to go ahead without any street clashes or police violence – though it did finish earlier than anticipated. “The governor of Istanbul said that ‘any activity that threatens the institution…

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Articles LGBTQ+ News Life News Openly Turkey

Turkish LGBTQ+ sex workers struggle to survive in housing crisis

Sex worker Nina relies on an apartment in the Turkish city of Istanbul as a relatively safe space to meet clients. But the 29-year-old is worried about making enough to cover the rent after the landlord doubled the price. As a surge in inflation fuels a housing crisis in Turkey, LGBTQ+ sex workers like Nina say landlords are forcing them to accept huge rent hikes for fear of being evicted. Nina, who is non-binary and uses the pronouns they and them, worries about how they will pay the increased monthly…

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Anti-LGBTQ discrimination Articles Istanbul Pride LGBTQ+ News Life News Pride Month Turkey

Police arrest over 200 people during a peaceful Pride march in Istanbul

Turkish police disrupted and arrested hundreds of activists during a peaceful Pride gathering in Istanbul. On 26 June, LGBTQ+ activists attempted to celebrate Pride Month by holding a peaceful march within the city. However, police in riot gear created blockades in Taksim Square and the surrounding Cihangir neighbourhood in an effort to prevent the gathering from taking place. Alongside the blockades, public transportation leading into the area was also shut down. The increased police activity stemmed from local authorities in the Beyoglu district and their ban on Pride Month events…

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