Riot police in Turkey used teargas and
rubber pellets to break up an LGBT Pride march.
According to The
Guardian, the government has cited security concerns in
banning such marches from taking place during Ramadan, which
coincides with LGBT Pride.
Hundreds of riot police were dispatched
to Istanbul's Taksim Square to prevent the Trans Pride rally from going forward.
“Football fans can rally in this
country whenever they want,” a spokeswoman for the Lambdaistanbul
LGBTI Solidarity Association is quoted as saying. “We were going
to do a peaceful activity. [The] holy month of Ramadan is an excuse.
If you are going to respect Ramadan, respect us too. The
heterosexuals think it's too much for us, only two hours in 365
days.”
Police last year broke up the city's
annual Gay Pride parade held since 2003. The event was scheduled to
take place this year on June 26.