Turkey LGBT Raids: 47+ Arrested in LGBTQ+ Crackdown

Turkish authorities have carried out a sweeping Turkey LGBT raids operation, detaining at least 47 people across 12 provinces during the weekend of 13 September 2026. The coordinated police action, officially named 'My Family is Safe,' targeted six LGBTQ+ association offices and was framed by the Justice Ministry as part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 'Decade of Family and Population' initiative.

What Happened in the Turkey LGBT Raids?

On 13 September 2026, police in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya raided six LGBTQ+ association offices in an operation prosecutors called 'My Family is Safe.' Istanbul's chief prosecutor said operations in 12 provinces targeted 38 suspects, with 26 detained. Separately, Ankara prosecutors detained 21 more people in an investigation into the LGBTQ+ group Kaos GL, with five suspects still being sought.

Kaos GL, one of Turkey's oldest LGBTQ+ rights organizations, said at least 50 activists were detained, including more than ten taken from their homes. Authorities seized drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol and a firearm. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the proceedings covered 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses across 15 provinces. Kaos GL also reported that access to dozens of websites and social media accounts linked to the LGBTQ+ community was blocked over the weekend.

Why Is the Turkish Government Targeting LGBTQ+ Organizations?

The crackdown is framed as part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 'Decade of Family and Population' initiative, which aims to reverse Turkey's falling birth rate and 'protect children, the institution of the family and social order.' Justice Minister Gurlek said the investigation focuses on people who facilitated prostitution, provided locations for it, or 'influenced minors regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.'

Prosecutors also announced an investigation into individuals who donated money to the targeted organizations, with the minister saying large sums had been transferred from foreign public institutions. This financial scrutiny echoes a broader Erdogan family values policy that has increasingly framed LGBTQ+ activism as a foreign-backed threat.

Reaction and Human Rights Concerns

The Turkish Human Rights Association (IHD) described the operation on X as state-led discrimination and 'fear politics.' The European Parliament's Turkey rapporteur condemned the arrests as repression and a violation of fundamental rights. European Union accession talks have repeatedly stalled over Ankara's democratic backsliding.

Kaos GL called the raids an attempt to silence the queer community. 'These are not legal investigations but a political witch hunt,' a Kaos GL spokesperson said. Rights groups note that while homosexuality is not criminalized in Turkey, the community faces rising discrimination and physical violence.

Turkey's LGBTQ+ History: From Pride to Persecution

Turkey's trajectory is stark. In the early 2000s, Istanbul hosted Pride marches, making Turkey the first Muslim-majority country to hold one. An estimated 100,000 people attended Istanbul Pride in 2013. Since 2015, however, authorities have banned Istanbul Pride, and gatherings are regularly met with arrests and force.

President Erdogan has said: 'We will not allow perverse currents like LGBT to be imposed on our nation.' Human rights organizations have documented an increase in hate speech and violence against the queer community in recent years. This weekend's raids mark a significant escalation, moving from street-level crackdowns to the raiding of legally registered civil society organizations, part of a wider LGBTQ+ rights rollback in Europe trend.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people were arrested in the Turkey LGBT raids?

Official figures put the number at 47 detained, while Kaos GL says at least 50 activists were held. Prosecutors have initiated proceedings against 162 suspects.

What is the 'My Family is Safe' operation?

'My Family is Safe' is the government's name for the weekend raids targeting LGBTQ+ organizations. It is part of President Erdogan's 'Decade of Family and Population' initiative.

Is homosexuality illegal in Turkey?

No, homosexuality is not criminalized in Turkey. However, LGBTQ+ people face discrimination, Pride marches have been banned since 2015, and authorities have increasingly targeted LGBTQ+ organizations.

Why was Kaos GL targeted?

Kaos GL is a prominent LGBTQ+ rights group. Prosecutors allege its activities involved prostitution, obscenity and influencing minors, claims the organization rejects. An investigation into donors has also been opened.

What has the international community said?

The European Parliament's Turkey rapporteur and human rights groups have condemned the arrests as state-led repression and a violation of fundamental rights.