Activists in Istanbul staged an annual gay pride march on Sunday, defying a ban imposed by Turkish authorities, a month after the country's election campaign was marked by homophobic rhetoric. Conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the May vote, extending his rule until 2028, and has been accused of whipping up prejudice against LGBTQ communities to strengthen his position. More than 40 protesters were detained at the event, which was held without clashes or violence, and police blocked journalists from attending. Amnesty International has warned that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric is fuelling violence against Turkey's LGBTQ residents.

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