# Turkish crackdown on LGBTQ+ groups and activists > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-crackdown-on-lgbtq-groups-and-activists > Updated: 2026-09-14T19:54:47.000Z. Sources: 167. Developments: 4. Turkish authorities have launched large-scale operations targeting LGBTQ+ organizations and activists across 15 provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Mersin. Conducted under the ‘My Family is Safe’ banner as part of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ‘Decade of the Family’ initiative, the raids aim to protect traditional family structures. Justice Minister Akin Gürlek announced judicial proceedings against 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses. Prosecutors have alleged involvement in prostitution, obscenity, and the improper influence of minors regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Investigations are also examining allegations of significant foreign funding, with records indicating six LGBTQ associations received over $3.3 million in foreign funds. The crackdown has led to numerous arrests of activists, journalists, and lawyers. Among those detained was Seniye Nazik Işık, a former president of the Izmir City Council. The Aegean City Councils Union has protested these detentions, arguing that organizational work should not be treated as a criminal offense. In addition to physical raids, authorities have implemented widespread digital restrictions. The labor union DİSK Basın-İş reported that accounts for Evrensel Newspaper, Amnesty International Turkey, and the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) have been blocked on X and Instagram. DEM Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan described the blocking of accounts belonging to journalists, writers, and Peace Academics as ‘serious interventions against freedom of expression and organization.’ Protests in Istanbul and Izmir have been met with police intervention, including the use of tear gas. International bodies, including the Council of Europe and the European Commission, have expressed deep concern, characterizing the actions as state-led discrimination. ## Claims - The association Kaos GL reported that at least 50 activists were detained. (disputed by 20 sources) - The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office reported that 26 people were detained during operations across 12 provinces targeting 38 suspects. (disputed by 11 sources) - The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office reported that 21 people were detained. (disputed by 9 sources) - The operations are part of the ‘Decade of the Family’ initiative declared by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. (corroborated by 26 sources) - Judicial proceedings involve 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses across 15 provinces. (corroborated by 24 sources) - Authorities blocked the X accounts of Kaos GL and approximately 15 other LGBTQ+ organizations and activists. (corroborated by 19 sources) - More than ten members of the Kaos GL association were arrested following searches at their homes. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The government operation aims to protect children and family values. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Authorities seized drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol, and a firearm during raids. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The raids took place across 15 provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara. (corroborated by 9 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-14: Turkey conducts nationwide raids targeting LGBTQ+ activists and organizations Turkish authorities conducted nationwide raids against LGBTQ+ groups and activists in the ‘My Family is Safe’ operation, detaining dozens amid allegations of obscenity and illegal foreign funding. 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-police-disperse-lgbtq-protesters-following-nationwide-crackdown ### 2026-09-14: Turkey faces social media bans and activist detentions Turkey faces backlash over social media bans on journalists and NGOs, alongside police raids on LGBT+ organizations and the detention of activist Seniye Nazik Işık. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-faces-social-media-bans-and-activist-detentions ### 2026-09-12: Turkey conducts widespread raids targeting LGBTQ+ groups and activists Turkish authorities have detained dozens and launched proceedings against 162 suspects in a nationwide crackdown on LGBTQ+ organizations and venues under a campaign to protect traditional family values. 126 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-blocks-access-to-lgbti-organizations-and-journalists-accounts ### 2026-09-02: Report challenges assessments of Turkey’s crackdown on Gülen movement A report by Johan Vande Lanotte argues that Turkey’s crackdown on the Gülen movement has shifted toward targeting everyday activities, challenging European asylum assessments based on declining statistics. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/report-challenges-assessments-of-turkeys-crackdown-on-glen-movement --- Cite as: Turkish crackdown on LGBTQ+ groups and activists. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-crackdown-on-lgbtq-groups-and-activists