Authorities said the march near Taksim Square could not happen this year because it’s the holy month of Ramadan, said CNN’s Gul Tuysuz, who was there.
The explanation that the march would somehow conflict with Ramadan is odd, she said, because in at least one previous year, the event took place at the beginning of the Muslim holiday.
Some were trying to negotiate with police to allow the march to take place, while others were peacefully defying authorities, walking and chanting and trying their best to celebrate.
“We call on the Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin to adhere to the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, to immediately cease attacks and to make a public statement,” wrote organizer Zeynep Bilginsoy in a statement on the volunteer group LGBTI News Turkey.
Echoing a chant made famous in Western gay rights parades and events — “We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!” — Bilginsoy wrote in capital letters, “WE ARE HERE, GET USED TO IT, WE ARE NOT LEAVING!”
She invited marchers and supporters who “believe in a free world” to “make some noise with pots & pans or whatever you find” at 6 p.m. local time.
Transgender activist Ruzgar Buski pointed out that the breakup of the march happened after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party won the vote, but failed to win a majority needed to rule without having to form a coalition with other parties.
“This is happening after the elections because they realize the power of the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex),” said Buski. “Erdogan’s government has lost their power and they know the LGBTI community stands with other minorities.”
