ADVERTISEMENT
Pride rallies have taken place in previous years in Istanbul and some of those behind it are vowing to go ahead and stage the event this year as well.
For the third year in a row city authorities have banned the march, which prior to 2015 attracted tens of thousands of people.
Transgender woman Seyhan Arman is one of those rehearsing for a Pride theatre performance this year.
She told reporters: “With the government not making necessary changes to the constitution and with a negative discourse against us, this may encourage people who are already phobic.”
Clashes broke out over pride events that went ahead over the past two years.
Istanbul’s governor has cited security concerns for banning this year’s march after reports of threats from an ultra-nationalist group.
But the organisers say the decision is effectively legitimising the use of intimidation.