The theme of 28th Pride Week this year is focused on how safe LGBTI+ students feel on campus with the theme of  “Where Am I?”. In other words, how possible is it to create a safe space for LGBTI+ students on campus’?

LGBTI+ students in Turkey want to exist freely on campus, a public  space, without being exposed to any discrimination or phobic reactions. They continue to struggle for safety, equality and visibility on campus. And they answer the question ‘Where am I?’ loudly: “ON CAMPUS!”

Despite the bans and the difficulties of  respecting calls to #evdekal (#stayhome) ; the resistance of LGBTI+ students, who have been coming together in solidarity by organizing between campuses, will continue online. When the conditions have changed and the universities are opened, the fight against discrimination will be moved back to the campuses. 

We imagine a campus where we exist without experiencing discrimination, but in solidarity, safety and with gullüm.* We want  all the campuses  in Turkey painted with colors of the rainbow.

And we say: “LGBTI + students are on campuses and they exist!”

*Gullüm: Means fun in Queer slang (Lubunca).