University in Turkey’s Capital Discusses LGBT Rights After September Detentions
A meeting on the situation of LGBT people following September’s detentions took place at Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, on October 22, 2026. The student Gender Studies Club organised it under the title “My Family Is Not Safe”. ÜniKuir published its report on October 23.
According to Ekmek ve Gül, speakers were Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) party council member İrfan Değirmenci, Yeni Parti MP Gökçe Gökçen and the publication’s writer Hilal Kılıç. They discussed the “My Family Is Safe” operation (Ailem Güvende), censorship and government family policy.
Değirmenci spoke about detentions, account blocks and complaints about detainees’ treatment and shortages of basic necessities. He also criticised social pressure which, he said, forces people to hide their identities.
Gökçen rejected the portrayal of foreign funding for LGBT associations as an indication of crime. She said “obscenity” charges were being used against activities not prohibited by law, and called for reliable information to be shared and cooperation among social groups to be strengthened.
Kılıç linked the situation of women and LGBT people to labour and social rights. In her assessment, government population policy reflects the interests of capital and the demand for cheap labour. She proposed joining efforts with workers and other groups defending their rights. These are the speakers’ assessments.
The authorities previously offered a different explanation for the operation. According to Bianet, Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said on September 13 that its aims were to protect children, the family and public order. He also announced scrutiny of associations’ foreign funding. This was an earlier ministerial statement, not a response to the university meeting.
Uránia previously reported the statement by lawyers for Turkish LGBT association Kaos GL that no indictment had been prepared. On October 22, the defence demanded the release of detained association representatives, human rights defenders and journalist Tuğba Tekerek.
