Why do authoritarian regimes target the LGBTQ+ community?
A recent crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey is symptomatic of a wider rights regression, according to experts. It's worse under authoritarian regimes, but why is it such a popular policy for these states?
Authoritarian regimes often target the LGBTQ+ community, targeting gay bars, arresting individuals, and spreading rhetoric about the government's responsibility to protect families and children. This crackdown is not unique to Turkey, as it has been seen before and in various places. Dr Koen Slootmaeckers, from City St George's University of London, stated that Turkey has been doing this for a while, but the intensity seems to have increased.
The rise of the far right is driving a crackdown on anything that appears different, reinforcing traditional family values and creating an "us versus them" narrative. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek cited family and child protection as the government's duty after the recent crackdown.
The reference to protecting children from harm is a common tactic used by authoritarian governments against LGBTQ+ communities. Dr Slootmaeckers noted that some politicians try to link homosexuality to paedophilia, even if not directly. A 2026 report from South Africa's Civicus revealed that women's and LGBTQI+ rights are under the most coordinated and wide-ranging attack in decades, with the United States setting the global narrative under President Donald Trump.
LGBTQ+ rights regressions can be seen in Burkina Faso and Trinidad and Tobago, among other countries.
The underlying reasons for these crackdowns are often opportunistic rather than ideological. Authoritarian regimes use such issues as an easy way to scapegoat and distract from other crises, diverting attention from the actual political problems. This is evident in Serbia, where the LGBTQ+ community feels increasingly marginalized, and President Aleksandar Vucic's regime has been linked to violence against them.
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights found that 80% of respondents in Serbia avoid holding hands with their partners in public, indicating a sense of unease. While Serbia is not one of the 64 countries with anti-homosexuality laws, there is a growing sense of fear and exclusion.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
