Although homosexuality is legal in Turkey, we're talking about a fairly conservative culture, so discretion is advisable, even if Turkish men are into more public displays of affection with each other than with their wives. Still gayness is coming more and more out of the closet in Turkey; in 2009 more than 3,000 members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community attended the Pride March in Istanbul. Same-sex couples now have a local resource in www.turkeygay.net. The site lists gay-friendly hotels and links to further resources. Istanbul Gay (www.istanbulgay.com) provides Istanbul-specific resources such as gay/lesbian guides, gay bar tours, and gay-friendly hotels. Kaos GL (www.kaosgl.com) was the first gay and lesbian magazine in Turkey; its online presence has a substantial section in English with features addressing issues affecting gays and lesbians in Turkey.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
