Flower Apartments

Turkey is more LGBTQ+-friendly than its neighbors, but that’s not saying much: the situation has gotten significantly worse. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1858, in the Ottoman era, but that’s where the good news ends. There are no anti-discrimination protections, and same-sex partnerships aren’t recognized.

Istanbul’s Pride parades have been banned since 2015. Police violently break up even small gatherings. President Erdoğan has leaned into anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in recent campaigns. Trans women face violence and unsolved murders, and HIV-positive non-citizens can be deported.

Still, you'll find an LGBTQ+-friendly scene, though it's discreet. Istanbul’s Beyoğlu neighborhood has the strongest one in the Muslim world, with bars, saunas, and clubs. Ankara, Izmir, and tourist resorts like Antalya and Bodrum have smaller scenes.

If you visit, remember that discretion is key—no rainbow flags outside venues. Public displays of affection will get you stares, but rarely police attention in tourist areas. Avoid political demonstrations, especially around Pride dates, and don’t post Pride content from Turkish social media accounts.

Foreigners are rarely targeted for harassment in Istanbul, but it’s smart to be cautious everywhere else.