Why do authoritarian regimes target the LGBTQ+ community?

Authoritarian regimes often target the LGBTQ+ community, as evidenced by recent events in Turkey, where raids on gay bars and homes led to hundreds of arrests. Dr Koen Slootmaeckers, from City St George's University of London, has observed that this is not an isolated incident, but rather a pattern seen in various authoritarian regimes.

According to Slootmaeckers, the rise of the far-right and a push for traditional family values are driving such crackdowns. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek justified the recent crackdown by citing the state's duty to protect families and children, a common refrain in authoritarian governments. The 2026 Civicus report highlights that women's and LGBTQI+ rights are under attack like never before, with rights regressions occurring in countries like Burkina Faso and Trinidad and Tobago.

While authoritarian regimes may employ different methods to oppress LGBTQ+ individuals, the underlying reasons are often opportunistic rather than ideological. As authoritarianism rises, so does the normalization of exclusion, as Slootmaeckers explains. This exclusion is evident in countries like Serbia, where President Aleksandar Vucic's administration has been linked to a surge in violence against the LGBTQ+ community.

Despite not having laws criminalizing homosexuality, Serbia ranks 29th in the Rainbow Map, below the European average. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights found that 80% of respondents in Serbia avoid public displays of affection with their partners, indicating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Slootmaeckers argues that such actions serve to redirect attention away from real political problems, using homophobia and transphobia to create a culture of exclusion.