President Erdoğan: “We are against the enemy of the family called LGBT”

02/12/2024 | Writer: Kaos GL

In his speech at TRT World Forum 2024, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan targeted LGBTI+s while talking about TV series, saying, “As the ruling party of Turkey, we are already against the enemy of the family called LGBT.”

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the opening ceremony of TRT World Forum 2024 held at Istanbul Congress Center on November 29. Erdoğan targeted LGBTI+'s in his speech.

In his speech, Erdoğan praised TRT World and its work, and also touched upon Israel's attacks on Gaza.

TV series and television programs were also on Erdoğan's agenda. Stating that they are “very proud” that TRT-produced TV series are broadcast in more than 110 countries in more than 50 languages, Erdoğan targeted LGBTI+ people while talking about TV series. Erdoğan said:

“In recent weeks, we have been witnessing this bitter reality in our country. TV series, movies and programs shot purely for the sake of viewership do not benefit neither our culture nor our social peace nor the preservation of our values. In fact, we see that violence, especially violence against women and children, is legitimized, alcohol and drugs are encouraged, deviant and perverse relationships are normalized just to get more ratings. The more dangerous aspect of these broadcasts is the provocative broadcast policy that aims to weaken the common ground between different segments of our society. While the pious segments of our society are portrayed as bigoted, ignorant, rude and ugly, our citizens with more secular lifestyles are portrayed as morally weak. Our entire family structure is targeted through exceptional examples, and the family, the pillar of society, is portrayed as the source of evil. As you know, as the ruling party of Turkey, we are already against the enemy of the family called LGBT.”

Gaza protest against Erdogan

A group protested against Erdoğan during the speech. The protesters said that the government had not stopped trade with Israel and chanted from the crowd, “While Zionists continue their trade in our seas and ports... Ships are carrying bombs to Gaza.”

Erdoğan addressed the protesters and said, “My child, don't be the mouthpiece of the Zionists here.”

The protesters were gagged by the security guards in the hall and taken out of the hall.

Tags: human rights, media, arts and culture, family