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Turkey LGBT: Istanbul's Gay Pride organisers to defy ban Turkey LGBT: Police stifle Istanbul Gay Pride rally
(35 minutes later)
Organisers of Istanbul's annual Gay Pride march say it will go ahead despite a ban by authorities. Police are out in force in the Turkish city of Istanbul, stifling attempts by organisers to hold a Gay Pride march.
Small groups are now gathering near the city's Taksim Square but they are heavily outnumbered by police. The organisers of the annual event had vowed to press ahead despite a ban by the authorities, who had cited threats from far-right groups.
Authorities in Turkey's largest city banned the march for the third year in a row, citing security concerns after threats from far-right groups. But police blocked off the marchers, reportedly firing rubber bullets to disperse some and detaining others.
Homosexuality is not illegal - unlike in many Muslim nations - but homophobia remains widespread. Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey - unlike in many Muslim nations - but homophobia remains widespread.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose ruling AK Party is rooted in conservative Islam, has denied wanting to impose traditional religious values, saying he is committed to secularism. But he supports Turks' right to express their religion more openly.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose ruling AK Party is rooted in conservative Islam, has denied wanting to impose traditional religious values, saying he is committed to secularism. But he supports Turks' right to express their religion more openly.
He has been accused of growing authoritarianism in recent years.He has been accused of growing authoritarianism in recent years.
'Get used to it''Get used to it'
The BBC's Mark Lowen tweeted that police were blocking access to the area, including Gezi park, to try to stop the march and that a police helicopter was flying overhead. This is the third year in a row that Turkey's largest city has banned the Gay Pride rally.
Other reports spoke of water cannon vehicles on Istiklal street. The BBC's Mark Lowen, in Istanbul, says the heavy police presence stopped people from entering Istiklal street, where the rally was scheduled to start.
The Gay Pride organising committee issued a statement on Sunday saying: "We are not scared, we are here, we will not change. He says anybody trying to unfurl a rainbow flag or pass police blockades was being prevented from doing so. One man was told to take off a Pride T-shirt.
Images from Istiklal street showed police water cannon vehicles on standby.
Earlier on Sunday, the Gay Pride organising committee had issued a statement saying: "We are not scared, we are here, we will not change.
"You are scared, you will change and you will get used to it. We are here again to show that we will fight in a determined fashion for our pride.""You are scared, you will change and you will get used to it. We are here again to show that we will fight in a determined fashion for our pride."
Lara Ozlen, from the organising committee, told AFP news agency on Saturday: "It is obvious that a peaceful march is part of our constitutional right.Lara Ozlen, from the organising committee, told AFP news agency on Saturday: "It is obvious that a peaceful march is part of our constitutional right.
"It's been known for years. Instead of protecting us, to say 'do not march' just because some will be disturbed is undemocratic.""It's been known for years. Instead of protecting us, to say 'do not march' just because some will be disturbed is undemocratic."
The city officials also said they had not received a formal request to hold the march - a claim denied by the organisers. On Sunday, the Dutch consulate in Istanbul unfurled a large rainbow flag in support of the Pride event.
In addition to citing the threats of far-right groups, city officials said they had not received a formal request to hold the march - a claim denied by the organisers.
This year's event also coincides with the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the start of the Eid al-Fitr festival.This year's event also coincides with the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the start of the Eid al-Fitr festival.
Last year, riot police fired tear gas and plastic bullets after transgender rights activists gathered in Istanbul - in defiance of a ban on marching.Last year, riot police fired tear gas and plastic bullets after transgender rights activists gathered in Istanbul - in defiance of a ban on marching.