Turkey's Transgender Community Faces Oppression During Pride Week

During Turkey's Pride Week, the LGBTQ community faces resistance and hostility from the conservative government, particularly under President Erdogan's re-election campaign. Transgender woman Iris Mozalar, in Istanbul, sees the event as a struggle for survival rather than celebration, as the process of transitioning is difficult, expensive, and often leads to societal hostility. Despite personal acceptance, Mozalar acknowledges that Istanbul is not a friendly city for LGBTQ individuals, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the community.