21/10/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
On October 17, LGBTI+ people took to the streets nationwide against the draft 11th Judicial Package, which seeks to imprison LGBTI+ people and raise the minimum age for gender-affirming surgeries to 25, declaring: “This draft should not even reach the commission.”
Ankara
At Hacettepe University, students marched to the Faculty of Letters, chanting slogans such as “Long Live Life Despite Hate,” “Down with Your So-Called Holy Family,” and “Where Are You My Love, I’m Here My Love.” They read a joint statement prepared by LGBTI+ university groups.
According to ÜniKuir, after the press statement, the students joined others protesting in the cafeteria. Riot police who entered the campus detained around thirty students.
At Bilkent University, students marched from the Faculty of Fine Arts to the Faculty of Science, chanting “State, get your hands off my body!” to protest the draft law.
At Middle East Technical University, students marched to the Rector’s Building, unfurled a giant rainbow flag, and declared: “We know it’s easy to fall into despair in dark times, but our being here together should remind you of resistance and solidarity. As the government intensifies its violence, our resistance will grow stronger, lubunya. We did not bow to family pressure, social violence, or police harassment; and we will not bow to these laws. We will not allow you to take away our human rights.”
Ankara Pride Week held a statement at the Human Rights Association (İHD) Ankara Branch. LGBTI+ rights defenders said: “Our solidarity is as strong as our anger; our struggle knows no borders. Our bodies, our identities, our lives are ours. No law, no discourse, no oppression or hate can change this truth.”
Ankara University Faculty of Language, History, and Geography LGBTI+ Solidarity Network also held a press conference at the İHD Ankara Branch.
Çanakkale
Çanakkale LGBTI+ Pride Week took to the streets to protest the draft 11th Judicial Package, which seeks to imprison LGBTI+ people and raise the minimum age for gender-affirming surgeries to 25. Gathering in front of the Clock Tower, LGBTI+ rights defenders said: “Fascism is being built upon our bodies. To resist this law is to refuse to allow the one man regime, which has turned violence into a spectacle to control society, to prevail.”
İstanbul
Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week and Trans Pride Week also took to the streets. Gathering in Kurtuluş, LGBTI+ rights defenders said: “While you talk about peace, you want to put us LGBTI+ people on trial for our very existence. You cannot build social peace by declaring war on LGBTI+ people! We repeat: We will not give up our identities, our love, or our pride.”
Kuir Baykuş at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University read a joint statement by campus LGBTI+ groups on the 11th Judicial Package, declaring: “We will resist with all our strength.”
Students at Yeditepe University said, “We reject this draft law targeting LGBTI+ people, trans lives, and all identities that defy gender norms!” as they read their statement.
The joint statement of LGBTI+ student groups was also read on Boğaziçi University’s South Campus, where students said: “Let’s stand together with all our strength against these fascist regulations and plans, and defend a dignified life together.”
İzmir
A banner reading “The LGBTI+ phobic 11th Judicial Package will not pass” was hung on an overpass in İzmir.
Tags: human rights, women, life, education, trans, lgbti
