16/12/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
Social media posts related to Lesbian Visibility Day were cited as grounds for the decision to dissolve the Young LGBTI+ Association.
The Young LGBTI+ Association, which was ordered to be dissolved on grounds of “obscenity” over its social media posts, held a press conference to inform the public about the process.
Speaking at the press conference held at the Tahir Elçi Hall of the İzmir Bar Association’s headquarters were Young LGBTI+ Association Board Member Attorney İrem Revşen Yıldız and Audit Board Member Attorney Kerem Dikmen.
A dissolution lawsuit was filed against the association on 3 February 2025 over a total of five social media posts made in 2019, 2020 and 2022. The court of first instance ruled for the dissolution of the association on 11 December 2025. The association is preparing to appeal the decision.
In addition, criminal cases were filed against a total of 11 people, including association executives and employees. The first hearing is scheduled for 8 April 2026.
Dissolution decision to be appealed
Attorney Yıldız stated:
“We are facing multiple criminal cases and a dissolution case that have now reached the level of judicial harassment. A dissolution lawsuit was filed in February 2025 based on social media posts made in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Last week, the İzmir 3rd Civil Court of First Instance ruled for the closure of our association. Since this decision was not accompanied by a suspension of activities, we are able to continue our work. We will pursue all legal remedies.”
Grounds cited: Lesbian Visibility Day
Attorney Dikmen recalled that the dissolution decision was based on a social media post related to Lesbian Visibility Day in 2019 and on posts sharing artworks sent to the association online during the pandemic in 2020. He said:
“In 2021, the association was already subjected to an inspection. At that time, these posts did not raise any issues during the audit. In 2021, another post related to Lesbian Visibility Day was naturally shared. In 2024, during inspections carried out across all LGBTI+ associations, these posts were brought up again.”
Criminal cases also filed against board members and staff
Attorney Dikmen noted that criminal investigations were launched against the association’s then board members, audit board members and employees, and that their statements were taken. He recalled that a decision of non-prosecution was issued in August on charges of “obscenity.”
According to Dikmen, despite this non-prosecution decision, a new investigation was initiated against the association’s board members, audit board members and employees on charges of violating the Law on Associations, which turned into a criminal case in October.
Tags: women, media, arts and culture, life, family, trans, lgbti
