Turkish social media user interrogated for photo captioned 'LGBTI+ kids exist'

A social media user in Turkey was called in to testify after the Presidential Communications Center (CİMER) received a complaint about their childhood photo captioned "LGBTI+ kids exist." The phrase was commonly used as a hashtag on April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day.

Friday May 07 2021 03:20 pm

A massive Pride flag is seen in an Istanbul Pride parade in this file photo.

Duvar English

A social media user in Turkey was called in to testify after the Presidential Communications Center (CİMER) received a complaint about a childhood photo they posted captioned "LGBTI+ kids exist," Kaos GL reported on May 7.

The social media user had shared one of their childhood photos on April 23, National Sovereignty and Children's Day, with the caption "LGBTI+ kids exist" that many others also included in their posts on the national holiday.

The social media user gave testimony to the Turkish police's department established to fight online sexual harassment, even though attorney Hatice Demir said that the complaint received by CİMER should have been dropped immediately.

Demir said that sometimes complaints are made against families who post their childrens' circumcision ceremonies, but they're dropped without even a statement taken.

The Turkish government has increasingly been antagonizing the queer community in the country, with government officials calling LGBTI+ terrorists, snakes and banning the sale of Pride merchandise without a signage of +18 years old.