Istanbul Pride needs your support, urgently!

We are a volunteer group organizing the 33rd Istanbul Pride Week and our 23rd Pride March. The first six days are full of events, and we march on the seventh. Despite ongoing bans, detentions, and increasing state pressure - especially following the government’s declaration of 2025 as the "year of combating LGBT" - we persist in celebrating our lives and our resistance.

Since 2015, the Pride March has been banned, and access to Taksim has been blocked each year. Yet, we continue to gather peacefully, as protected by Article 34 of the Turkish Constitution: 'Everyone has the right to hold unarmed and peaceful meetings and demonstration marches without prior permission.'.

Our theme this year is “Insisting on Life”—a reminder that we insist not just on survival, but on joy, connection, dignity, and resistance.

Pride Week includes panels, forums, workshops, and celebrations that create space for healing, protesting, and being together in solidarity. In a time when our very existence is under attack, our ability to organize is more important than ever.

Due to the economic crisis, limited queer-friendly venues, and increased pressure from authorities, we are unable to raise enough funds through our usual channels like Pre-Pride parties. That’s why we need your support.

All funds raised will go directly to:

Even a small donation—5 or 10 euros—can make a real difference. If you can’t contribute financially, please consider sharing this appeal.

With gratitude and in solidarity,

The Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride Week Committee