Turkey puts LGBT activists on trial, threatens 3-year prison terms
Prosecutors claim images of same-sex couples expressing affection are obscene
Turkey Puts LGBT Activists on Trial Over “Obscenity” Charges in Escalating Crackdown
By Paul Goldberg
IZMIR, TURKEY — April 11, 2026 — Eleven LGBTQ activists in Turkey have gone on trial in a case that human rights advocates say underscores a deepening crackdown on LGBTQ visibility and civil liberties in the country.
The defendants, all affiliated with the Genç LGBTI+ Association, are facing charges of “obscenity” and “violating the protection of the family,” according to legal filings reviewed by international observers. Prosecutors allege that the group distributed social media content depicting same-sex couples expressing affection — material authorities claim violates public morality standards.
If convicted, the activists could face prison sentences of up to three years, along with the suspension of key civil rights, in a ruling that critics warn could set a dangerous precedent for LGBTQ advocacy in the region.
Legal experts representing the defendants argue that the charges are politically motivated and represent a broader effort to silence LGBTQ voices. Attorney Kerem Dikmen, who is also among those standing trial, described the proceedings as an attack on fundamental freedoms.
“This case is not about obscenity,” Dikmen stated during opening arguments. “It is about criminalizing lawful expression and removing LGBTQ individuals from public life.”
While homosexuality remains legal in Turkey, LGBTQ communities have increasingly faced political and social pressure in recent years, particularly under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Government officials have repeatedly framed LGBTQ visibility as a threat to traditional family structures, often linking it to declining birth rates and broader cultural concerns.
The trial also follows a controversial court ruling issued late last year ordering the dissolution of the Genç LGBTI+ Association on similar grounds. That decision is currently under appeal, further heightening tensions between civil society organizations and state authorities.
International human rights groups have raised alarm over the case, warning that it reflects a systematic effort to curtail freedom of expression and association. Since 2015, LGBTQ Pride events across Turkey have been routinely banned or forcibly dispersed, signaling a sustained rollback of public LGBTQ visibility.
Although a proposed amendment to expand criminal penalties against LGBTQ individuals was withdrawn in late 2025, activists argue that the current legal actions demonstrate that enforcement pressures remain firmly in place.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 14, with global advocacy groups closely monitoring developments as concerns grow over the future of LGBTQ rights in Turkey.
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