Fear among Turkey’s LGBT community after hostile election campaign

Campaign speeches targeting Turkey’s LGBT community during last month’s election have left some living in constant fear of police raids and even planning to leave the country.
Ahead of the first vote and runoff, which President Tayyip Erdogan won, he repeatedly attacked “perverse” LGBT groups and vowed to strengthen and protect traditional family values.
Some worry that such intimidation will be amplified during Erdogan’s new five-year term, including a possible legal crackdown. Detentions are again expected at Sunday’s Pride parades, which draw hundreds of people onto the streets despite being banned.
During the campaign, Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted AK Party accused the opposition alliance, which pollsters had tipped to win, of being “pro-LGBT”.