Eleven leaders of a Turkish LGBTQ+ rights organization have gone on trial in western Turkey on charges of “obscenity” and “violating the protection of the family,” according to their legal representatives.
The defendants, members of the Genç LGBTI+ association, are accused of breaching constitutional provisions related to family values, as well as sharing social media content depicting same-sex couples, which authorities have deemed inappropriate. If convicted, they could face up to three years in prison and the suspension of certain civil rights.
Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey, but LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations have increasingly faced pressure from authorities in recent years. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and members of his ruling Justice and Development Party have frequently linked LGBTQ+ visibility to broader social concerns, including declining birth rates.
The group’s lawyer, Kerem Dikmen, described the case as politically motivated, arguing that it represents an attempt to marginalize LGBTQ+ individuals and restrict fundamental freedoms. “This is not about obscenity, but about criminalizing lawful and constitutional activities,” he said. Dikmen himself is also facing charges due to his role within the organization.
The trial follows a separate court ruling ordering the dissolution of the association on similar grounds, a decision that activists have appealed.
Human rights advocates have raised concerns that the case reflects a broader trend of limiting freedom of expression and assembly. Since 2015, Pride marches have been regularly banned or restricted across the country.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 14.
