Istanbul police detained at least 150 pro-LGBTQ demonstrators outside the Caglayan courthouse on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The protesters were demonstrating to demand the release of LGBTQ+ activists taken into custody during earlier crackdowns.

Police warned that the demonstration was unauthorized before detaining protesters and transporting them in police buses. Two journalists were among those detained at the protest.

The operations have been linked by the government to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s "Decade of the Family and Population" initiative. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party has roots in Turkey’s Islamic movement. Same-sex relations are not illegal in Turkey.

"Mere references to ‘family values’ or ‘protection of children’ cannot serve as legal justification for human rights restrictions," Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty said. "I call on the Turkish authorities to release anyone detained for engaging in human rights or civil society work," he added. O’Flaherty stated he would continue to monitor the situation. The European Union expressed concern over the arrests on Monday and urged Ankara to respect human rights.

Timeline

In 2015, Turkish authorities banned Istanbul Pride. An LGBTQ+ cruise ship was refused permission to dock in Turkey this summer. Turkish authorities conducted operations dubbed "My Family is Safe" on September 12 and 13, 2026.

The "My Family is Safe" operation targeted 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses. During the crackdown, authorities detained dozens of members, broke into association offices, raided popular hangouts, and blocked organizations’ websites.

Demonstrators staged a protest to demand the release of LGBTQ+ activists taken into custody during earlier crackdowns. Demonstrators carried banners reading "Being LGBT+ and organizing is not a crime" and chanted slogans in support of LGBTQ+ rights.

What's New

The 'My Family is Safe' operation, which targeted LGBTQ+ associations and activists in September 2026, was part of a broader government initiative called the 'Decade of the Family and Population,' launched by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2026. In 2026, the 'My Family is Safe' operation led to the detention of over 160 individuals, including members of nine LGBTQ+ associations and 13 businesses, as part of a nationwide crackdown on LGBTQ+ communities. In 2025, Amnesty International reported that more than 95 people were detained during protests related to the Istanbul Pride events, with police using pepper spray and preventing activists from delivering press statements.

Feminist activist Feride Eralp stated that 162 people had been taken into custody nationwide, with more than 20 arrested and more than 30 detained in Istanbul. Istanbul Pride, an annual LGBTQ+ event held since 2003, has faced repeated bans by the Istanbul Governor's Office since 2015, with authorities citing security concerns and public order as justifications. During the 2025 Istanbul Pride events, three protesters were arbitrarily remanded in pre-trial detention without any legal basis, marking a significant escalation in the criminalization of LGBTQ+ activism in Turkey.

Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated that the 'My Family is Safe' operation was conducted under the framework of the 'Decade of the Family and Population' initiative, which seeks to promote traditional family values and restrict LGBTQ+ activities. Feride Eralp stated that six LGBTQ associations in Istanbul had been raided.

Why It Matters

The detention of at least 150 protesters and the prior arrest of over 160 individuals mark a continuation of state actions against LGBTQ+ assemblies and organizations. Between 2015 and 2024, more than 1,000 people were arrested during unauthorized attempts to hold Istanbul Pride marches, with law enforcement frequently using tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse crowds. In 2025, during the Trans and LGBTI+ Pride Week, human rights organizations documented systematic violations against LGBTQ+ individuals, including arbitrary arrests, use of force, and obstruction of peaceful assembly, as part of ongoing state repression.