Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s victory in Turkey’s presidential election has raised concerns for LGBTQ+ rights, as the president immediately targeted the community in his post-election speech. Erdoğan, who has held power since 2014, secured another five-year term with a significant lead over his opponent. In his address to supporters, he made derogatory remarks about “LGBT forces” and emphasized the sanctity of the family, threatening those who challenge it. Erdoğan’s re-election has alarmed activists and human rights organizations, who fear a further erosion of LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
Erdoğan’s Post-Election Comments
Speaking to his supporters, Erdoğan highlighted the importance of the family institution in Turkish culture and made clear his stance against LGBTQ+ individuals. He proclaimed that no one should interfere with the sacredness of the family and threatened to “strangle anyone” who dared to challenge it. These statements are deeply concerning, as they indicate a continuation of Erdoğan’s anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric throughout his presidency and re-election campaign.
International Reactions
World leaders, including Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Rishi Sunak, and Emmanuel Macron, congratulated Erdoğan on his victory, creating a disconcerting contrast to the concerns raised by LGBTQ+ activists. The opposition Republican People’s Party’s leader, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, expressed disappointment in what he described as an “unfair election process” and criticized the government’s authoritarian tendencies.
Erdoğan’s History of Anti-LGBTQ+ Remarks
Erdoğan’s presidency has been marked by discriminatory comments against the LGBTQ+ community. In April, during a rally in Izmir, he declared that LGBTQ+ individuals would not “emerge” in Turkey, asserting the stability of the country’s traditional family structure. Additionally, in 2021, Erdoğan referred to LGBTQ+ youth as “vandals,” attaching negative connotations to their identities and dismissing their concerns. These statements reflect a disturbing trend of intolerance and contribute to a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Turkey.
Worsening LGBTQ+ Climate in Turkey
Turkey has witnessed a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment over the past few years, with Pride parades being banned and queer individuals reporting increased fear for their future. Tensions peaked in September 2022 when a significant number of people took to the streets of Istanbul to demand the government ban LGBTQ+ “propaganda.” Described as the largest demonstration of its kind in Turkey, this event exemplified the growing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the country.
The Future of LGBTQ+ Rights in Turkey
Erdoğan’s re-election has deepened concerns about the future of LGBTQ+ rights in Turkey. The president’s hostile rhetoric and the broader rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment threaten to further marginalize and endanger the community. It is essential for international organizations, human rights advocates, and LGBTQ+ allies to closely monitor the situation, support local activists, and put pressure on the Turkish government to protect the rights and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
