Turkey bans LGBT events in Ankara to protect public security

Turkey has issued an indefinite ban all events by lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex rights groups in its capital city, of Ankara.

The ban, announced by Turkish officials on Sunday which began on Saturday, applies to LGBTI exhibitions, film screenings, panels and theater shows, was imposed to protect “public security”, the Ankara governor’s office said.

According to the governor's office, the ban was implemented to avoid animosity between different groups inside the city and endanger “health and morality”, as well as the rights and freedoms of others.

It warned some groups may be provoked by LGBTI events and take action against participants due to “certain social sensitivities”.

Unlike many Muslim countries, homosexuality is not a crime in Turkey and numerous LGBTI associations are legally registered with the state. But there is widespread hostility and rights activists say LGBTI people face discrimination and stigma.

The announcement by Ankara’s government is likely to deepen concern about civil liberties under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.