Meeting in Istanbul targets LGBT individuals and groups

LGBT groups and individuals have reacted to the opposition's silence in Turkey in the face of public calls for participation in an anti-LGBT meeting on Sunday.

While the meeting in Istanbul is organized under the leadership of a small ultranationalist faction, Yesevi Alperen Hearths, far right political parties like the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Victory Party and the Great Unity Party (BBP) have not openly expressed support for the event.

The only political party who announced its direct support has been the tiny national socialist Patriotic Party.

An opposition member of the Turkish media regulator disclosed on 9 September that the head of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) asked TV channels and radios to broadcast a video calling for people's participation in the anti-LGBT meeting.

The Association for Studies on Social Policies, Gender Identity and Gender Selection (SPoD) called on all political parties to publicly condemn the anti-LGBT meeting, to urge calm, and to express solidarity with LGBTi citizens.

As the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its partner MHP ignored the call, the opposition parties, except for the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and socialist parties, remained silent as well.

HDP said in a statement:

"The Sarachane Meeting that targets LGBTi groups and individuals is the organization of a hate crime. Those who try to capitalize on hate crimes, who contribute to the polarization of the society, are committing a criminal offense. HDP stands against attacks against nature and all identities."

The Labor Party of Turkey (TIP) said:

"We will not let hate be legitimized! It is not acceptable that authorities have given permission for a hate meeting targeting LGBTi groups and individuals."