The planned screening of the film “Pride” as part of Pride Month activities in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district was abruptly banned by the district governorate. The organisers of the event, the Science Aesthetics Culture Art Research Foundation (BEKSAV), faced physical assault and were subsequently detained by the Turkish police on Wednesday, according to reports.
The BEKSAV Cinema Collective, determined not to accept the ban, rallied cinema enthusiasts and the LGBTQI+ community to defy potential attacks and attend the screening as an act of resistance. In a statement on Twitter, the collective declared, “Pride Month is here, and bans are targeting our vibrant community! The Kadıköy District Governorate has decided to ban the screening of the film ‘Pride’ which we had planned to watch together in the BEKSAV garden this evening. Our response will be to proceed with the screening. What the hell is a ban, anyway?! Can a film truly be banned? … As the BEKSAV Cinema Collective, we declare that we will not comply with this decision. Get used to it, we are here!”
As the screening time approached, the police cordoned off the BEKSAV building and proceeded to detain both attendees and organisers.
In a separate incident, the Şişli district governorate also imposed a ban on the screening of “Diren Ayol” on 6 June, organised by the University Feminist Collective. Despite the ban, the feminist collective proceeded with the screening, proclaiming, “Get used to it, we are here, get used to it, we are together!”
The Şişli district governorate justified the one-day ban, stating concerns that the documentary screening could incite public outrage, challenge national conscience and values, and jeopardize social harmony. It was further alleged that the screening might undermine the constitutional order. The ban was extended to both indoor and outdoor venues, purportedly to safeguard rights and freedoms and prevent potential crimes.
However, the feminist collective disregarded the ban and successfully held the screening.
In 2013, the Pride March was held in Istanbul with more than 100,000 people participating following the Gezi Park protests, making it the largest Pride March in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. However, Pride Marches were banned in Istanbul, İzmir, Antalya and Mersin in 2019, in contradiction to the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights. These bans have persisted to this day.
