Ankara - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Within the expat community yes, but LGBT groups and individuals have been targeted more recently by the government. Pride parades have not been allowed in years even in Istanbul. - Sep 2025
Not as open as Istanbul. The government isn’t big on LGBT - it still has a decent sized population in Ankara, but it’s very quiet - Nov 2023
Same sex relationships are not recognized and you can do a quick Google search to see the current (posturing on the subject. I know many LGBT expatriates who have not been hassled and are enjoying their time here. - Jan 2023
I don't have a lot of knowledge on this. I don't see obvious same sex couples out and about and Turkey is fairly conservative socially. - Nov 2021
I don’t have first hand experience, but I could see this being a difficult city for LGBT expats given the current political climate. - Sep 2020
Ankara is a cosmopolitan city relative to more traditional areas in Turkey's south or southeast. While there were same-sex couples within the international community that I knew, caution is merited; there were reported instances of violence against LGBT Turks, even in Istanbul. - Oct 2018
I would not be openly gay here. Homophobia seems to be rising. - Oct 2018
Not too bad for LGBT. Cant be totally open, but pretty big community here. - Sep 2018
No. - Jul 2018
While Turkey isn't nearly as closed down about LGBT issues as Arabic countries, it's still not as open as the US. There are a number of LGBT expats and locals in the area though. I don't have any direct experience. - Sep 2017
There are a few at post and I have not heard any complaints. Ankara is a mixed cosmopolitan and traditional culture. - Jun 2017
Unknown. I would be surprised given the climate for homosexuals outside of Istanbul in Turkey. - Aug 2015
Mildly. Turkey is still behind the times on LGBT rights. - Jun 2015
I would think that there are better posts out there. Turkey is becoming more conservative and Ankara is no exception. - Feb 2015
There is a gay scene and though I don't have personal experience with it, my friends involved with it seem happy enough. - Jun 2014
Not aware. - Apr 2014
Not if you want to be open and out with the locals, but there is no outward animosity towards same-sex couples. - Mar 2014
No. - Mar 2014
I haven't heard anything either good or bad in this regard. - Jul 2013
We met a few gay couples here, and they seem to enjoy Turkey. - Jul 2010
