In the 1990s, Turkey was engulfed by a wave of unresolved political murders and human rights abuses particularly in the southeastern regionso of country where the majority is the kurdish population. The widespread belief in the state's complicity in these crimes was exacerbated by the government's apparent inability to address them. This period is characterised by a sense of legal impunity and deep societal trauma, with the numerous unresolved cases coming to symbolise a dark era of political violence in the country's history. Also, there is a need to mention about Süleyman Ulusoy, known as "Hortum Süleyman," was notorious for his severe abuse and mistreatment of LGBTQ+ and transgender individuals during his time as a police chief in Istanbul in the 1990s. He led numerous police raids on LGBTQ+ gathering places, including nightclubs and meeting spots, where he and his officers subjected individuals to physical violence, harassment, and humiliation.

In 2005, Newsweek's cover story on Turkey read: »Cool Istanbul. Europe’s hippest city might not need Europe after all.« Turkey had started membership negotiations with the EU that same year.

A deeper analysis on the role of development projects in controlling public space can be found in the article, »Make it too Public and the Police will Arrive: Turkey's Construction Boom as Opportunity and Publicness as Medium of Subversion«: leidiniu.archfondas.lt/en/alf-04/eray-cayli-make-it-too-public-and-riot-police-will-arrive%E2%80%9D-turkey%E2%80%99s-construction-boom-opportu

The Gezi Park resistance in 2013 was a major civil movement against the Turkish government's plans to redevelop a public park in Istanbul. Initially focused on environmental issues, the movement quickly expanded to protest against the authoritarian tactics of the governments.

In 2019, the Istanbul Governor's Office yet again banned the LGBT Pride Parade, citing security concerns and public order.

Art İstanbul Feshane was targeted by allegations of LGBT terrorism, sexuality, Gezi celebration: https://kaosgl.org/en/single-news/criminal-complaint-against-the-exhibition-which-was-attacked-under-color-of-lgbt-terrorism

See the article »XSM annelerinden kulüp kültürünün direngen tarihine saygıyla« (XSM mothers pay tribute to the resilient history of club culture) by Ekin Sanaç: bantmag.com/xsm-recordings-roportaj/

Club 20 and Club 19 played pivotal roles in shaping Istanbul's nightlife in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Ceylan Çaplı, a notable figure in the city's club scene, opened Club 20 in 1989, tailoring it to well-to-do younger male customers with a preference for minimalist techno. The club had a door policy that largely restricted women, aiming to create an exclusive atmosphere. Due to its popularity and the ensuing conflicts among patrons, Çaplı opened Club 19 next door later the same year. Club 19 and Club 20, along with the earlier Club 14, which Çaplı opened in 1986, became experimental grounds for different door policies and social formations. These clubs contributed significantly to the emergence of Istanbul's gay scene by creating spaces where well-to-do young men could socialise away from the public eye. Sourced from Williams, Samuel. »Politics in the Piyasa: Marching, Marketing and the Emergence of Gay Identities in Istanbul.« Anthropology of the Middle East, vol. 13, no. 2, winter 2018, pp. 95+. Gale Academic OneFile: https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=anon~5f4a5815&id=GALE|A583654209&v=2.1&it=r&sid=googleScholar&asid=39534a22. Accessed 27 May 2024.