Ten years after leaving Turkey to build a future she says she couldn’t see there, Bey K. came to her former country’s front door in New York, worried about those still back home.
“It’s really hard to see my beloved queer community disappearing back home,” Bey said.
This week, Turkish authorities raided LGBTQ+ and HIV organizations, detained dozens, then detained dozens more who protested their arrests in Istanbul.
“One of my friends just shared on Instagram, just shared she’s taking a shower every night before going to bed because she doesn’t know if in the morning they’re going to take her,” Bey said.
Turkey’s justice minister says the operation called “My Family is Safe” is meant to protect children, families and public order. It’s part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s broader family initiative as he warns of declining population growth.
Erdogan also portrayed LGBTQ+ movements as a threat to the traditional family.
“Unfortunately, in Turkey, the queer community is an easy scapegoat,” Turkish immigrant Nur A. said.
At the protest, demonstrators watched as a consulate worker pulled down a sign supporting the community. In just days, the Turkish president will be in the city with other world leaders for the United Nations General Assembly, bringing the debate they’re having outside this building much closer to the world stage.
“The NYPD is prepared to work with organizers of protesters and facilitate First Amendment activity, and as always, and as always, we have no tolerance for violence or destruction of property or breaking the law,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on Thursday.
Erdogan is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Tuesday. His face already hangs over the consulate. For the people outside, though, the message is less about one speech than what happens after the motorcades leave.
“One day he will no longer be here, but we still will. Queer people will always be here,” Nur said.
The NYPD is anticipating at least 55 demonstrations once the U.N. General Assembly begins.