2nd LD: Turkey police break up protesters with tear gas, water cannons

Turkish police Sunday fired tear gas, rubber bullets and sprayed water cannons to disperse thousands of people marching toward Taksim square in Istanbul.

Over 10,000 mostly homosexual individuals, were determined to have an annual Lesbian, Gay, Transexual and Bisexual pride (LGBT) march at Istanbul's iconic Taksim square.

The square and Istiklal Street, one of Istanbul's busiest touristic streets, were decorated with rainbow colors symbolizing the LGBT community colors and was readied for the parade days before Sunday.

"We refuse to fit the 'normal ' stereotype,' stated the Pride Week Committee. "It is not due to nature, nor is it a disease. We are not normal! We do not accept it! We are neither wrong, nor we are alone. We refuse to accept stoic norms or what is deemed 'normal.'"

Around 5,000 riot police and numerous water cannons were positioned in the square and neighboring streets from early morning in order to prevent the crowd from gathering in the square.

As the crowd approached the square, police fired water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gases. Tourists, children and the LGBT group ran into nearby coffee shops and bars to protect themselves from the tear gas.

Parliament members from the pro Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) and People's Republican Party (CHP) attempted to negotiate with the riot police in order to convince them to allow the crowd to march. MPs formed a barricade between riot police and the crowd by holding hands. However, they failed.

Individuals speaking to Xinhua were angry, saying that Turkish society should accept the LGBT community's existence.

Everyone agreed that this year's annual parade is increasingly significant since the U.S. approved gay marriage in all its states.

"I hope the U.S.'s decision to permit homosexual marriage in the country will set an example for Turkey. We are here to make our voices heard," said Melih Meric.

A young girl expressed her anger as police blocked the street leading to Taksim Square. "I am extremely angry right now. They won't even allow me to go home by metro. Why are they pressuring us that much? In the end the LGBT community exists in society,"she said declining to give her name.

Another woman, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said she hopes Turkey will follow the U.S.'s example and permit homosexual marriage.

Ninety-nine percent of Turkish citizens are Muslim, and with the conservative policies of the former ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Islamic conservatism became widespread in the country.

The crackdown by police on activists reflects the government's official stance on homosexual culture in Turkey.

Turkey's homosexual culture differs from that of western countries, as is the case with Turkish culture. Turkey was influenced by both Eastern and Western civilizations since it is geographically located at the intersection between Europe and Asia.

Since the republic of Turkey was founded in 1923, it is the only Muslim country in the world where homosexuality is not considered illegal.

There was no significant political pressure on homosexuality during the Ottoman Empire period as well. This distinguishes Turkish homosexual life from the rest of the world. Endit