Turkey bans Istanbul Pride, organizers vow to march anyway
(WorldNews Turkey)

ISTANBUL (AP) -- Turkish authorities announced Saturday they will not allow the Istanbul Pride march to take place on Sunday - the third year in a row the celebration has been banned. The move prompted criticism from rights groups and fears of possible violence, as Pride organizers said they would defy the ban. For more than a decade, the Istanbul Pride has attracted tens of thousands of participants, making it one of largest gatherings celebrating gay, lesbian and transgender rights and diversity in the Muslim world. Unlike other Muslim countries, homosexuality is not a crime in Turkey. However, lesbian, gay and transgender activists say they lack legal protections and face widespread...