On September 12, Turkish authorities conducted simultaneous raids at 1 a.m. across multiple cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin, and Mersin, targeting LGBTQ+ groups and HIV support organizations. The crackdown involved detaining dozens of individuals, searching offices and popular hangouts, and seizing items such as drugs, digital equipment, and firearms from the locations raided. The Turkish government justified these actions under its “My Family is Safe” campaign, which it claims aims to protect family values, amid President Erdogan’s push for a "Decade of Family and Population" initiative to address declining birth rates and an aging population. Kaos GL, an LGBTQ+ association based in Ankara, reported that at least 50 activists were detained during the raids, more than the official count of 26 people given by Turkish prosecutors. Additionally, authorities blocked access to dozens of websites and social media accounts linked to LGBTQ+ organizations, further restricting online support networks.
