The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the closure of the Association for Social Policy, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies (SPoD) in an indictment dated November 2, 2026, prepared as part of the “My Family in Safety” operations that began on September 12.
According to SPoD’s statement, the prosecutor’s office alleged that the association had gone beyond the objectives specified in its bylaws and that its activities were contrary to law and morality. The association’s 15 years of work in the field of LGBTİ+ rights, activity reports, events, and solidarity activities were cited as grounds for the dissolution request.
The prosecutor’s office also sought the conviction of four founders, two of whom are under arrest, on charges of violating the Law on Associations.
Work on LGBTİ+ employment interpreted as “segregation within the state”
SPoD stated that the indictment characterized its work pertaining to the employment of LGBTİ+ people as an attempt at “segregation within the state.” The association said that creating spaces of solidarity against the discrimination faced by LGBTİ+ people and publicizing these activities on social media were also made the subject of criminal allegations.
SPoD quoted the indictment as follows:
“Establishing spaces of solidarity against othering and announcing this on social media is included in the indictment as a criminal element under the phrase ‘the domination of a minority over the majority in violation of the Constitution and the law.’”
The indictment also reportedly cited a social media post by the association about the documentary My Child, in which the mothers and fathers of LGBTİ+ people share their experiences. SPoD responded with the following words: “In an operation called ‘My Family in Safety,’ we are being confronted with the fact that we gave a voice to families who stand by their children.”
“Our 15 years of work are being cited as grounds for our closure”
In a statement issued following the dissolution request, SPoD recalled that, since its establishment, it had worked to ensure that LGBTİ+ people could live equal and free lives, free from discrimination and violence. Reacting to its rights advocacy activities being made the subject of criminal allegations, the association said:
“We have worked so that LGBTİ+ people can live equal and free lives, free from discrimination and violence. We established spaces of solidarity, provided legal and psychosocial support, created things together, and came together.”
The statement emphasized that 15 years of activities were being cited as grounds for the closure request:
“Now, the work we have carried out for 15 years, our activity reports, our events, and our practices of solidarity are being cited as grounds for the request to close our association. Yes, we did all of these things. And if we had to do it again, we would do it all again!”
SPoD stated that the request to close the association targeted not only its own activities but also the freedom of association:
“Because we know that associating is not a crime but a right. Defending LGBTİ+ rights, showing solidarity, and coming together are not crimes. The dissolution request directed at SPoD today targets not just one association, but the right of all of us to organize.”
SPoD calls for solidarity at the November 18 hearing
SPoD called for solidarity ahead of the hearing scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, at 1:30 p.m. at the Istanbul Çağlayan Courthouse, 27th Criminal Court of First Instance.
The association invited all rights organizations, democratic mass organizations, trade unions, professional chambers, and members of the press to attend and follow the case.
(Source: Kaos GL)
