26/11/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
November 25 demonstrations were held in many cities across Türkiye. In Istanbul, 14 people were detained for carrying the LGBTI+ flag; in Kocaeli, police attacked the LGBTI+ flag.
On November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, women and LGBTI+ people took to the streets across the country; they raised their voices against violence, discrimination, and rights violations.
At the demonstrations and press statements, attention was drawn to femicides and the rising hate crimes. Women and LGBTI+ people criticized the pressure placed on women’s lives and bodies under the government’s “Year of the Family” policies, the increasing difficulty of divorce procedures, and the ineffective implementation of Law No. 6284 after the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention.
Women and LGBTI+ people also reacted to the anti-LGBTI+ provisions in the 11th Judicial Package, emphasizing that the language criminalizing “not acting in accordance with biological sex” creates an atmosphere of hate.
We compiled the November 25 demonstrations for KaosGL.org readers.
Ankara
In Ankara, women and LGBTI+ people gathered on Konur Street for the November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women march. Women and LGBTI+ people marched with slogans such as “We are transvestites, we are here, get used to us, make peace with us, we are not going anywhere!” and “Homosexuals are here!”; they reached Sakarya Square. A rainbow flag waved in the square; slogans were chanted against the “Year of the Family.” In the press statement, women and LGBTI+ people said: “As the women and lubunyas gathered here, we walk in the footsteps of the peace mothers and political women prisoners. We are the guarantee of peace.”Istanbul
In Istanbul, before the November 25 March, the Governor’s Office once again closed the metro stations, as every year. Despite all obstacles, women and LGBTI+ people gathered in Taksim Tunnel Square; the police barricades on Istiklal Street were opened. Women and LGBTI+ people marched with slogans to Kumbaracı Street on Istiklal Avenue. According to Ekmek ve Gül, after the march ended, the police encircled women and LGBTI+ people who carried or stood near those carrying LGBTI+ flags at Taksim Tunnel. Fourteen people were detained for carrying the LGBTI+ flag. In its statement on the detentions, the November 25 Women’s Platform said that ID checks were carried out under the pretext of the trans flag, calling for the release of those detained. The detainees were released after hospital examinations.In the press statement read at the Istanbul demonstration, it was said: “We women and LGBTI+ people are determined; we will overthrow this male-dominated order. Men and the state think they have authority over our lives. Under the name of the ‘sacred family,’ they try to control women’s lives, labor, and bodies.”
Izmir
In Izmir, women and LGBTI+ people gathered in front of Penguen Bookstore on the November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. They protested femicides and LGBTI+ hostility; they filled the squares with slogans such as “Trans murders are political!” and “In spite of hate, long live life!”Mersin
In Mersin, women and LGBTI+ people gathered in Kushimato Square. Saying, “We march against femicides, LGBTI+ phobia, and the male state violence that thinks it can silence us with repression,” they protested the government’s family policies, femicides, and LGBTI+ hostility.Bursa
On the November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, women and LGBTI+ people in Bursa gathered in Fomara Square. Police tried to block women and LGBTI+ people who wanted to march to Kent Square. Women and LGBTI+ people reacted to the blockade by saying, “Where was the police when women were being killed?”Trabzon
Responding to the call of the Trabzon Democratic Women’s Platform, women marched from Maraş Street to Meydan Park, saying: “We want a world without violence, equality, and freedom!”Artvin/Hopa
In Artvin, women from Hopa and Kemalpaşa gathered in Hopa Park. Marching along Dumlupınar Street, women returned to Hopa Park, where they began the demonstration, and made a press statement. Banners reading “As long as we live, you’ll go crazy” and “We will not be slaves to the family, nor servants to capital” were carried.Kocaeli
In Kocaeli, women and LGBTI+ people came together on the November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; police attacked the LGBTI+ flag and one person was detained. One person fainted during the scuffle.Hatay
In Hatay, women marched from in front of Yaman Hotel to in front of Necmi Asfuroğlu High School, saying: “Just as we fought to protect our bodies and our land in our destroyed city, we will also build our future with our own hands! We are not leaving, we are here!”Samsun
Responding to the call of the Samsun Women’s Solidarity, women marched from in front of the old tax office to in front of Çiftlik Akbank. The statement said: “We women will not stop fighting against the fascist AKP-MHP government.”Sinop/Gerze
In Sinop Gerze, women gathered in front of the Gerze Municipality Shops upon the call of the Gerze Women’s Platform. The statement highlighted the rise in male violence and femicides, emphasizing the need to strengthen women’s solidarity.Diyarbakır
On the November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, women gathered in front of the Old Prison upon the call of the Dicle Amed Women’s Platform and the Diyarbakır Network Against Violence. Throughout the demonstration, photos of Rojin Kabaiş and many murdered women were carried.Adana
In Adana, women gathered in Atatürk Park and marched to Uğur Mumcu Square. In their press statement, women said: “The judiciary acquits male violence, the state does not protect women. Perpetrators walk freely, and women are sent back into violence. Because the state’s policies are anti-woman and our lives are not secured.”Balıkesir/Burhaniye
According to the report in Evrensel, the Women’s Group of Burhaniye Labor and Democracy Components held a march and press statement. Women gathered in front of the old library and marched to Cumhuriyet Square. The statement said: “We will continue to oppose the attacks on children’s rights and the rights of LGBTI+ people that have come to the agenda with the 11th Judicial Package.”Antalya
Responding to the call of the Antalya Women’s Platform, women marched from in front of Halk Bank on Kapalıyol to Attalos Square. Women drew attention to the rise in male violence and femicides, stating that this violence is covered up by family policies and emboldened by impunity. Women said, “We are not alone or helpless; we will continue our struggle with the strength we draw from one another.”Gaziantep
In Antep, women gathered on November 25 upon the call of the Democratic Women’s Platform components and the We Will Stop Femicides Platform. The press statement said: “In this country, misogyny is not only the doing of perpetrators but also a product of the government’s anti-woman policies.” EMEP MP Sevda Karaca also spoke at the demonstration. Karaca said, “We know that our only guarantee is our solidarity.”Bingöl
The first November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women march was held in Bingöl. Women marched upon the call of the Bingöl Women’s Platform, chanting “We will hold accountable for murdered women,” “We will not lose one more,” and “Justice for Rojin.”Aydın/Kuşadası
Responding to the call of the Kuşadası Women’s Platform, women and LGBTI+ people gathered. A banner reading “Trans murders are political” was displayed. Kuşadası Renkli Güvercin LGBTI+ Initiative said: “Our struggle against trans murders and LGBTI+ phobia continues! Long live our organized struggle, long live LGBTI+ struggle!”Eskişehir
Women gathered at the Espark Bağlar gate upon the call of the Eskişehir Democratic Women’s Platform and marched to Adalar. The press statement drew attention to the impunity regarding femicides, saying: “Every new piece of information that has emerged in the Rojin Kabaiş murder case has once again revealed how femicides are systematically covered up in this country. The release of the perpetrator in the Şule Çet case is clear proof that only women’s organized struggle can bring accountability for femicides in this country.”Ordu
Women gathered in front of 19 Eylül Middle School upon the call of the Ordu Women’s Platform and made a press statement. The statement said: “We are in revolt against the regime of massacre.”Denizli
In Denizli, women’s organizations gathered at Gazi Primary School and marched to Çınar Square. The statement said: “We will not be silent until true equality is achieved. We will enforce the Istanbul Convention and Law No. 6284.”Dersim
At the march organized upon the call of the Dersim Women’s Platform, slogans of “Where is Gülistan Doku?” and “Justice for Rojin Kabaiş” were chanted. The press statement said: “While we still cannot learn the fate of Gülistan Doku, who was murdered in broad daylight, we are now certain that Rojin Kabaiş, a university student in Van, also fell victim to murder.”Sources: Ekmek ve Gül, Evrensel, Sendika.org, and BirGün
Tags: human rights, women, media, family, lgbti
