Turkish capital, Ankara, bans LGBT event.

The Hill

The governor’s office in the Turkish capital of Ankara announced Sunday it has banned public events related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues “in order to provide peace and security," according to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.

In a statement obtained by the newspaper, the governor’s office said LGBT-focused events including films, theater performances, interviews and exhibitions are banned until further notice.

“A part of society with different qualities in terms of social class, race, religion, sect, or region could therefore explicitly incite another part (of the society) to grudges and enmity, posing an open and imminent danger in terms of public safety,” the statement said, according to the newspaper.

Authorities in Ankara on Nov. 15 banned a German gay film festival one day before it was scheduled to start, citing “public safety and terrorism risks,” according to multiple media reports.

Homosexuality is legal in Turkey, but homophobia is considered pervasive.

Authorities have called off the LGBT pride parade in Istanbul for three straight years due to security concerns.

"Sticking it to the SocJus."

Making my country look good, right on. Thanks Turkey, you...turkeys.

It's such a shame that evil people are able to have so much influence.

“A part of society with different qualities in terms of social class, race, religion, sect, or region could therefore explicitly incite another part (of the society) to grudges and enmity, posing an open and imminent danger in terms of public safety,” the statement said, according to the newspaper.

Well, yes, that is technically correct, I guess. But welcome to the world.

And turkey used to be so cool. SHIT.

Turkey has been sliding backwards for quite some time. Very sad.

No surprise there, Turkey has been moving towards becoming a religious run country for years now.

With the current leadership in Turkey, it's not a surprise.

As long as its not the US doing it, it's okay. Lolololololololol

Yeah, the current leader isn't one who looks forward.

It has to be said that some of it may come from the EU's reluctance to go forward with them as to joining the EU. It´s been slow and based on some countries does not want Turkey as a EU country.

Do you blame those countries? EU learned its lesson with Greece...

Im surprised to learn that homosexuality is even legal in a nation like Turkey. Most of your muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran still ban it and I think there is still a death penalty

for engaging in it. With Turkey being primarily a muslim state it's interesting to know that they don't outlaw it.

Its coming.

Turkey is still in a transition and becoming more and more fundamentalist by the year.

Officially, Turkey is a secular government and has been since after World War I with the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's establishment of the Republic of Turkey. Note, the Middle East comprises of multiple countries that have various types of governments and institutions. While homophobic attitudes are prevalent in the Middle East, the laws vary country-to-country (of course, while the state may not declare homosexuality illegal, tribes and individuals can certainly make it difficult for homosexuals).

On Turkey, this isn't a surprise. Turkey has become increasingly restrictive on human rights especially on homosexuality, criticism of the leadership, criticism of the founder, the Armenian Genocide and so on. Historically, again, not a surprise since the founding was nationalistic in nature. Turkey is sliding into autocratic/fundamentalist-type government and it's just bad news for the Middle East and even a bigger headache for everyone.

Give them time.