Gay pride march in Taksim joined by Gezi protesters
Istanbul's Taksim Square braced June 30 for the 11th annual gay pride march, as thousands of gay rights activists and demonstrators who participated in the Gezi Park gatherings marched on the iconic İstiklal Avenue, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
Rainbow flags and banners supporting peace in Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian and Arabic were displayed at the march.
Some of the banners criticized the comparison of homosexuality with a disease, as described by former Family Minister Aliye Kavaf. Another banner read, "I asked Zeki Müren, who told me to resist," in memory of the legendary and flamboyant Turkish singer who became famous during the 1950s. Although he never admitted to being homosexual, Müren changed perceptions across Turkey by openly wearing women’s clothing and make-up.
The protesters who have been holding forums in small neighborhood parks across Istanbul also joined the pride march.